2 min read - 3 Oct, 2025
Glass Futures rolls first glass from experimental furnace
Glass Futures has achieved a significant breakthrough in the commissioning of its world-first experimental glass furnace. At the start of this week, the team successfully rolled the first glass from the furnace, marking a pivotal moment in the journey to deliver a transformative R&D asset for the glass industry.
Glass Futures is a global innovation platform that connects the glass industry with academia and government. At the heart of its pilot facility is a 30-tonne-per-day oxy-fired pilot furnace, designed to showcase sustainable technologies and approaches.
This latest achievement follows months of planning, engineering and collaboration. The furnace, lit in June of this year, is designed to enable advanced analysis of glass flow and composition.
After overcoming commissioning challenges, including melting glass in an area near the furnace exit where directing heat is more difficult, the team successfully achieved full commissioning of the furnace and began rolling glass through both the rolled plate line and annealing lehr.
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Glass Futures has successfully rolled the first glass from its experimental furnace in St Helens / Picture: Glass Futures
Justin Kelly, CEO of Glass Futures, said: “This is a huge step forward. This milestone brings to life the investment in this national research and innovation asset with globally unique innovation capability. Along with the fantastic team at Glass Futures and our members, we are now fully open and actively collaborating.”
Glass Futures will now begin its formal trial programmes, with this milestone paving the way for groundbreaking research and innovation in sustainable glass manufacturing.
Several such pioneering programmes are funded under the UK government’s Industrial Fuel Switching (IFS) initiative from the Department of Energy Security and Net Zero. These programmes will explore alternative energy sources such as waste-derived biofuels, electrical boosting, and hydrogen, aiming to revolutionise high-temperature industrial processes and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
Aston Fuller, general manager at Glass Futures, added: “Having been part of Glass Futures since the very beginning, seeing the first glass roll from our furnace is a moment I’ll never forget. It’s the result of years of vision, planning, and relentless hard work from an incredible team. This milestone isn’t just about commissioning a line, it’s about proving that innovation, collaboration, and perseverance can reshape the future of glass manufacturing and beyond.”
