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Encirc lights the world’s largest container glass furnace
Glass container manufacturer, Encirc, has lit its new industrial furnace at its Elton-based plant in Cheshire. The giant oven, which can process up to 900 tonnes of container glass per day, is the largest in the world.
It is expected that the major investment by Encirc’s parent company, Vidrala Group, will significantly boost its manufacturing capacity and safeguard the company’s existing 1,500 jobs as well as create new opportunities for decades to come. The company currently produces around four billion sustainable glass containers every year.
Encirc has lit its new industrial furnace at its plant in Elton – the biggest of its kind, that will significantly boost manufacturing capacity / Picture: Encirc
Throughout Covid-19, Encirc’s business has remained undeterred, with Vidrala continually investing millions in clean fuel development, robotic production lines and its new furnace. The company has been able to avoid redundancies and furloughing people despite the pandemic. It predicts the glass bottle market will see a boom like never before, as more consumers recognise its sustainability and hygiene benefits compared with other packaging materials and pub/restaurant glasses.
Encirc managing director, Adrian Curry, said: “This is a monumental day for Encirc, our parent company Vidrala, and the wider container glass sector as a whole. Today’s lighting of our 900-tonne furnace will significantly increase our capability to meet market demand as well as support our journey towards becoming the most sustainable beverage supply chain business in the world. A huge thank you to all involved in making this happen. A truly incredible feat.”