Revolutionary Glass Manufacturing Facility in UK Redefines Sustainability with Support from Siemens Technology

The Glass Futures manufacturing facility in St Helens, UK is set to lead the way in emission reductions with support from Siemens technology. With a £54 million R&D project underway, the facility aims to develop an optimized approach for ‘boosting’ glass furnaces with electrical heating. This innovative method is estimated by industry body British Glass to reduce UK emissions from glass manufacturing by 56%.

Once fully operational in late 2024, the facility will have the capacity to produce 30 tonnes of glass per day. It will be the first facility to implement Siemens’ latest digital control system, PCS Neo, to streamline and manage all plant operations. This technology will oversee all processes on site, providing end-to-end monitoring and control that can be adjusted and expanded as the facility grows.

George Myers, a control systems engineer at Glass Futures, emphasized the importance of decarbonizing the manufacturing process as global demand for glass continues to rise. By utilizing electric boosting and hydrogen to melt glass, the facility aims to develop a solution that large-scale manufacturers can adopt or learn from, leading to more efficient furnaces worldwide. The partnership with Siemens will provide the necessary technology to achieve this goal.

Stephen Haigh, head of the glass industry in the UK & Ireland at Siemens, highlighted the role of PCS Neo in simplifying operations and data analytics at the site. This system will help unlock the ambitions of the project by providing flexibility in deploying personnel and enabling global engagement and learning. By implementing this advanced technology, Glass Futures and other projects worldwide will be equipped to make significant strides in reducing emissions and improving efficiency in glass manufacturing.