Glass innovation centre gets government backing

The construction of a 14,500m² research and development facility for the glass industry, next to St Helens’ rugby league stadium, has received a funding boost with £15m committed by central Government.

Much of the initial funding for the scheme is coming from Glass Futures, a not-for-profit industry organisation.

Building design work for the factory has already started, funded by St Helens Borough Council. Once designs are completed and taken through planning, construction work could start in 2021.

The development at the 14-acre site will revive a site once home to United Glass. The facility will be centred around a 30 tonne per day – equivalent to 60,000 wine bottles – low carbon demonstration furnace.

This is billed as the world’s first openly accessible, commercially available, multi-disciplinary glass melting facility with provision for R&D trials to establish new manufacturing techniques, raw materials, improved efficiencies while decarbonising the glass industry. The site is expected to create around 50 skilled jobs directly.

Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region Steve Rotheram said: “This project is a prime example of how we can build on our strengths as a city region to drive our economic recovery. St Helens has always been a global leader in the glass industry and Glass Futures will be a key part of making sure it retains that role.”