The UK glass industry is facing growing uncertainty after being excluded from the Government’s latest industrial decarbonisation support package, prompting strong criticism from British Glass.

The trade association warned that the sector risks being left behind in the country’s transition toward Net Zero, despite years of engagement with government departments to outline the challenges facing UK glass manufacturing and the investments needed to decarbonise operations.

The Government recently announced a reported £470 million support package focused on the chemicals and ceramics industries. However, British Glass argues the funding falls far short of what is required to protect foundational manufacturing sectors and maintain international competitiveness during the transition to low-carbon production.

According to the organisation, UK glass manufacturers continue to face a combination of high energy costs, declining domestic demand, policy uncertainty and increasing overseas competition. The industry has repeatedly called for support measures that would enable investment in electrification technologies and low-carbon furnace systems.

British Glass also highlighted the impact of packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) reforms, which it says are severely affecting the container glass sector. The association is urging the Government to introduce urgent changes to the scheme and align it more effectively with wider recycling and industrial policies.

The sector has already experienced significant losses over the past year. Nippon Electric Glass closed its Wigan facility, the UK’s final continuous glass fibre manufacturing plant, resulting in approximately 250 job losses. Container glass demand has also fallen by around 20%, while flat glass and glass wool manufacturers continue to struggle amid weaker construction and infrastructure markets.

Further concerns emerged following the recent closure of a furnace in Knottingley, reinforcing fears about shrinking production capacity across the industry.

Dr Nick Kirk, Federation Director at British Glass, stressed that glass remains essential to food and drink supply chains, healthcare, construction, energy and wider UK manufacturing. He warned that without stronger government backing, the country risks losing additional industrial capacity, skilled jobs and critical manufacturing expertise.