3 minute read - 17th June 2022
Green light for £390m CiNER Glass factory in Wales
CiNER Glass UK has secured planning permission for the build of a new £390m glass container manufacturing facility at the Rassau Industrial Estate, north of Ebbw Vale.
The project, which will see the use of recycled glass in the production process, will become one of the largest investments in South Wales for decades, bringing thousands of direct and indirect jobs to the local area.
The application was backed unanimously by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s planning committee, subject to a legally binding (section 106) agreement, paving the way for CiNER Glass to look towards preparing the site for development.
The site is currently owned by the Welsh government and Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council and, following the granting of planning permission, can now be purchased by CiNER Glass. The multi-phased construction will commence following the completion of the detailed design of the project, with plans for the facility to start producing glass in 2026.
CiNER Glass has secured planning permission that will kick start the build of a new £390m glass container manufacturing facility in South Wales / Picture: CiNER Glass
The project is set to create around 600 highly skilled jobs on a 21.5ha vacant plot within the Rassau Industrial Estate. The hope is that the size and scale of this project can act as a catalyst for economic regeneration, helping increase investment in the circular economy in Wales. The project will also create significant supply chain opportunities, supporting 1,200 indirect jobs in the supply chain. Between 400 – 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with several hundred people working on site during the peak of construction.
Mrs Didem Ciner, executive board member of CiNER Glass, said: “We are extremely pleased to have received approval to move forward with our exciting plans to build and operate our new glass bottle manufacturing facility in Ebbw Vale. This is the first step towards building a world-class facility in the heart of South Wales and we cannot wait to begin working on making our vision for Blaenau Gwent a reality.”
The facility, referred to in the planning documents as the “Dragon Glass Bottle Manufacturing Facility”, will consist of a four-part operation for the production of glass containers: melting and forming; the handling of raw materials; inspection and packaging and warehousing. CiNER Glass intends to supply glass bottles to UK food and beverage producers, with a vision to build a world-leading centre of engineering excellence in glass technology in Wales.
The project is set to create around 600 highly skilled jobs on a vacant plot within the Rassau Industrial Estate in Ebbw Vale / Picture: CiNER Glass
Discussions with local stakeholders will now move forward as proposals for the facility progress over the coming months. CiNER Glass has identified the main supply chain opportunities and plans to place contracts with local companies wherever possible.
The company is committed to playing an integral role in the local community, with plans to hire local people and foster skills and expertise in Blaenau Gwent, becoming a long-term employer in the area. It has already started to work closely with local colleges, universities and training providers so that it will be able to provide education and training opportunities in the area.
CiNER Glass is a family-owned business which is headquartered in the UK. In just over a decade, the company has grown to become an industry leader in glass making and has ambitious plans to expand its presence across Europe, with developments planned in both South Wales and Belgium.