During the recent visit of UK Minister for Climate Change, Gregory Barker, to Pilkington, company bosses pressed on the Government’s Green Deal, which includes using advanced glazing for improving household energy efficiency, which will help homeowners make energy improvements.
The heads of UK glassmaker Pilkington pressed Government Minister for Climate Change, Gregory Barker to make changes to the Green Deal that would benefit the glass industry as they gave him a tour of a GBP 36 million coating plant.
Welcoming the Minister to Cowley Hill, Pilkington described the new development as one of the most advanced facilities of its type in the world, enabling ultra-thin special coatings to be applied and creates a range of energy products.
Pioneering products equipped with innovative green technology is regarded as key to future of the glassmaker, owned by Nippon Sheet Glass.
Pilkington has been in the news because of its struggles in a turbulent global economy, which has led to job losses and mothballing of float glass lines in St Helens.
But the coater is seen as a ray of optimism for local glassmaking.
Barker’s visit gave the glassmaker’s bosses the chance to show how their advancements at the facility are supported by the NSG Group Technical Centre in Lathom.
They also pressed him on the Government’s Green Deal, which includes using advanced glazing for improving household energy efficiency, which will help homeowners make energy improvements.
Gary Charlton, operations director, said: “The new coater is a significant investment and one the company and the community can be proud of.
“Set against the background of a challenging construction market, it enables the company to enhance our competitiveness by offering the latest high performance energy-efficient products.
“This will go a long way towards securing the future of St Helens and the Pilkington brand as names that remain synonymous with UK glazing and innovation in energy efficiency for years to come.”