Clearview National December 2015 - Issue 169 | Page 25

INDUSTRYNEWS Wales’ largest glass processing plant creates 27 jobs The opening of Wales’ largest glass processing plant at Swansea docks is providing a major jobs boost in the area thanks to £1.9 million investment package from the Welsh Government, Finance Wales and a consortium of private investors. »»Established in 2011 in Llandarcy, Glass Tech Recycling (Glass Tech) has used the funding package to relocate to a bigger site at King’s Dock in Swansea as part of its development plans, creating an additional 27 jobs. The new plant includes a state-of-the-art glass processing unit which will enable the company to convert glass into high-value glass cullet which it can sell to manufacturers as a cost-effective raw material. Managing Director Karen John believes the investment will help Glass Tech take advantage of the growing demand for recycled glass. “Moving to a larger site has enabled us to install the equipment we need to target lucrative new markets and we now have Wales’ only reprocessing unit capable of making pure glass cullet. By being based in King’s Dock we can easily export our product to manufacturers overseas as well as to the UK. “The glass cullet market is central to our long-term growth and the funding package from Finance Wales, Welsh Government and private investors has allowed us to build it into our business model. We’re forecasting strong growth in the coming year and hope to open a second site in 2016,” she explained. “Working in one of our key sectors, Glass Tech’s investment in the latest technology will ensure it retains a competitive edge, enabling it to access new and expanding markets in the UK and overseas.” ”We have already seen significantly expansion over the last fout years and I’m pleased we’ve been able to join forces with the Welsh Government and other investors to help move for Glass Tech forward.” Glass Tech provide local industry’s the opportunity to recycle its glass products and works closely with the glass and glazing market collecting previously installed windows and doors from on-site skips and splitting the products down to firstly, clean and process the glass components from the products and then reselling the outer components; PVCu, timber and aluminium, to other specialist recycling companies. The recycled glass is then resold to manufacture installation products, used in attics and lofts. Karen adds: “In addition to providing a significant local jobs boost, the new Swansea plant has drastically increased Glass Tech’s scale and capacity. It’s also cemented its position as a UK leader in glass processing, putting it on an even stronger footing for the future. “Glass Tech has impressive expansion plans and having started out providing customers in South Wales with specialist glass recycling services, Glass Tech is looking to expand further in the forthcoming year and extend our services further north.” Glass cullet is an increasingly popular raw material used by manufacturers because it can reduce energy costs during the manufacturing process. It is estimated over 357,000 tonnes of glass were reprocessed in the UK last year, with an average of up to eight jobs created from every 1,000 tonnes of glass recycled. Contact Glass Tech Recycling on 01792 321 020, visit www.glasstechrecycling.co.uk or email [email protected] C L E A RV I E W-U K . C O M » dec 2015 » 25