St Helens' glass resurgence told at 18th Furnace Solutions Conference

Cllr Anthony Burns, leader of St Helens Council, used the occasion of the 18th Furnace Solutions Conference to deliver an address to a global audience gathered in St Helens to learn the latest about sustainable glass manufacturing.

Welcoming the international glass community to the Totally Wicked Stadium and Glass Futures, Cllr Burns paid tribute to St Helen’s rich glass history and outlined plans to continue the rejuvenation of the town’s glass business following the development of Glass Futures’ £54m research and technology centre on St Helens Linkway (renamed James Roby Way) last year.

“The world’s first Global Centre of Excellence for glass is used to undertake research and development projects backed by both industry and government, serving as a home where industry experts, academics and visionaries can merge the shape of the future of glass production," said Cllr Burns.

"It is acting as a catalyst for further ambitious developments in St Helens around glass, including a £500m life sciences investment zone, manufacturing and innovation."

Council leader Cllr Anthony Burns, with Glass Futures CEO Richard Katz (Image: Submitted)

As part of the conference programme, organised by the Society of Glass Technology, Glass Futures provided tours of the 165,000 square foot facility where an industrial scale 30 tonnes per day pilot furnace is currently being installed to pave the way for glass decarbonisation in line with the UK government's net zero target of 2050.

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Glass Futures CEO Richard Katz added: “We were delighted to welcome global glass figureheads to St Helens and it was inspiring to witness the positive responses to Councillor Burns’ update on the reinvigoration of the town’s glass sector.”

The conference was held at the Totally Wicked Stadium (Image: Stock)

Cllr Burns also announced that SINA Medical Glass has completed a lease agreement for an industrial site located to the rear of the Glass Futures building that will be transformed into a modern medical glass manufacturing centre.

SINA and Glass Futures will work closely with the region’s training and employment providers to ensure local people benefit from up to 200 jobs that could be created by the project.

Developments are a testament to St Helens' glass heritage

“It is no coincidence to us that these ground-breaking developments in St Helens are because of our heritage and because of our place within the glassmaking world. 

"We envision a world where glass is not just functional but also environmentally responsible; this commitment to decarbonisation really aligns with the spirit of St Helens, a town that once thrived on industry and now thrives on innovation,” added Cllr Burns.