First Glass For Uk5

The re-launched UK5 float line at Greengate, St Helens, produced its first glass on schedule, on 28 January. The line closed in 2008 for an extended £44M rebuild, which included the installation of a £15M state-of-the-art online coating plant in preparation to supply one of the Group's major solar energy customers. Following the resumption of glassmaking, coating was scheduled to begin 10 February with quality coated glass expected by end-March. The product will be cut and packaged for export at nearby Cowley Hill, where the Bottero cutting line has been upgraded and recommissioned. The project has created 180 new jobs across the two sites.