Encirc, a glass container manufacturer and bottler, has opened a new glass container furnace in Elton, Cheshire, UK.
Image: Encirc is engaged in the glass container designing, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions for the UK and Irish food and beverages industries. Photo: courtesy of Encirc Ltd.
The UK secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Rt Hon Greg Clark has inaugurated the new furnace, which is claimed to be the world’s largest glass container furnace.
Clark said: “Innovation and new sustainable techniques to boost business productivity are crucial for our future economic strength and today’s opening is another demonstration of the strength of the UK’s manufacturing sector.”
Encirc has invested £40m for the development of 206m2 industrial oven furnace at its facility in Elton.
The new glass container furnace is expected to expand Elton’s melting capacity by around 100 tons per day.
In 2015, Spanish-based glass company Vidrala acquired Encirc, which has completed 20 years of operations.
The company also operates advanced facility in Derrylin of Northern Ireland, in addition to the facility in Elton.
With around 1,200 employees, Encirc is said to responsible for manufacturing around a third of all glass containers in Britain.
Clark said: “Innovation and new sustainable techniques to boost business productivity are crucial for our future economic strength and today’s opening is another demonstration of the strength of the UK’s manufacturing sector.”
Encirc managing director Adrian Curry said: “We pride ourselves on using the latest technology which not only minimises our impact on the environment, but also helps increase efficiency in our supply chain.
“This new furnace will significantly increase our capacity to manufacture sustainable packaging, while our new railhead is reducing our road transport needs by one million kilometres per year, helping us cut annual carbon emissions by 245,000 kg.”
Encirc is engaged in the glass container designing, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions for the UK and Irish food and beverages industries.
The company, which produces over 2.7 billion glass bottles and other containers per annum, can fill up to 250 million litres of bulk shipped beverages every year.
The firm also manages Encirc Academy, which is a specialist training and consultancy that offers advanced technical and service assistance packages for the global container glass making industry.