Pilkington UK, a key member of the NSG Group, has unveiled a cutting-edge rolled glass production line at its historic Greengate Works site in St Helens. This multi-million-pound investment secures the future of rolled texture glass manufacturing in the UK, reinforcing the company’s role as a global leader in glass innovation.
Revitalizing Texture by Pilkington
The new production line focuses on Pilkington’s renowned Texture by Pilkington range, which includes 21 distinctive designs celebrated for privacy and aesthetic appeal in interior applications. Production has transitioned from the nearby Watson Street Works, an iconic site that ceased glassmaking after two centuries, centralizing all operations at Greengate Works for increased efficiency.
Sustainability at the Core 
Consolidating glass manufacturing into one furnace has resulted in a substantial reduction of 15,000 tonnes of CO₂e annually, aligning with Pilkington UK’s ambitious environmental goals. The company aims for a 30% greenhouse gas emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero carbon by 2050. The project received £3.7 million in funding from the UK government’s Industrial Energy Transformation Fund, highlighting the glass sector’s vital role in industrial decarbonisation.
Engineering Innovation and Heritage
Neil Syder, Managing Director of Pilkington UK, praised the engineering feat behind the new line, which involved creating a canal to divert molten glass from an active float furnace to the rolled glass line. This innovation both preserves nearly 200 years of glassmaking heritage in St Helens and pioneers a low-carbon future for the industry.
Source: Pilkington UK with additional information added by Glass Balkan
