Celebrating 25 years of innovation and sustainability
By Steve Severs, managing director of Saint-Gobain Glass UK.
As one of the world’s leading flat glass manufacturers, Saint-Gobain Glass began production of its innovative range of glass solutions in the UK at our award winning Eggborough factory in 2000.
That means we’re celebrating our 25th anniversary this year – and while it’s not the 360th anniversary that our parent company is celebrating in France – it is a huge achievement. Celebrations will include birthday cake and a family fun day for our incredible team – but we’re also using the milestone to acknowledge the key partnerships that have been instrumental to our success and to pave the way for a greener future in the glass industry.
Our journey wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our customers, many of whom have been with us from the very beginning. These partnerships, built on trust, innovation, and collaboration, have played a pivotal role in shaping the company we are today.
Over the years, we’ve worked closely with customers to develop tailored glass solutions that meet evolving market demands and sustainability goals. Through joint efforts, we’ve not only delivered high-quality products but also co-developed innovations that continue to push the boundaries of glass manufacturing.
We’re proud to have forged relationships that have stood the test of time and continue to drive innovation. This customer-first approach remains integral to everything we do and will continue to be a guiding principle as we look to the future.
Another reason for our success is the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation. Eggborough was the first line anywhere to develop a temperable low-e glass coating, (Planitherm Total+) which has become so critical for the UK market.
Eggborough is now home to Oraé, the world’s first lower-carbon glass, comprising high levels of recycled glass and offering a lower embodied carbon than standard float glass, down to 6.64kg CO2 eq./m2 for 4mm Oraé.
This revolutionary product is now being manufactured in the UK, giving our customers direct access to glass that meets growing environmental and regulatory demands.
Oraé is perfect for projects where sustainability is key, providing a 30-40% reduction in carbon emissions compared to traditional glazing. This not only helps our customers meet ambitious carbon reduction targets but also futureproofs their projects against tightening environmental standards.
Sustainability has always been on the agenda throughout our 25-year history, with Saint-Gobain Glass leading the way in glass recycling and remanufacturing. A key enabler of Oraé’s sustainability credentials is our Glass Forever programme.
Through the Glass Forever programme, we work with our customers and partners to recover and recycle pre- and post-consumer glass, diverting it from landfill, and remanufacturing it into new high-quality products. This reduces the amount of raw materials from being used and saves CO₂ emissions.
By 2030, Saint-Gobain Glass aims for 50% of all glass produced at Eggborough to be made using cullet from this programme – a major win for fabricators and installers seeking to offer sustainable solutions to their customers. This collaborative effort with our customers and partners ensures that sustainability remains at the forefront of our operations.
Our Eggborough factory’s long-standing reputation for excellence is underpinned by significant investments in cutting-edge technology. In 2020-2021, we invested £40 million to rebuild and upgrade the float glass furnace and other key areas of the factory. This state-of-the-art furnace not only increased production capacity but also optimised manufacturing efficiency while reducing energy consumption. For our customers, this means a consistent supply of high-quality, high-performance glass that meets both commercial and residential demands.
Since its inception, Saint-Gobain Glass has built a reputation for pushing boundaries in glass manufacturing. From achieving a float yield world record within our group in 2010 to winning numerous industry awards including G-Awards Glass Company of the Year in 2015 and again in 2022 and British Glass Company of the Year in 2017.
Behind Eggborough’s success is a dedicated workforce, with 36 employees having been with the plant since its early days and therefore having more than 25 years’ service, plus a notable number of other colleagues who have moved on to other positions within the larger Saint-Gobain group. Over the years, the site has fostered a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration through its long-standing social club.
From family days to scuba diving and motorcycle racing, these activities have helped build lasting bonds that contribute to the plant’s exceptional performance. I am hugely proud of our dedicated and talented team.
Looking ahead, Saint-Gobain Glass has ambitious targets. By 2030, half of all glass produced at Eggborough will incorporate cullet from the Glass Forever programme, reinforcing the plant’s role as a pioneer in sustainable glass manufacturing.
As the UK glass industry pushes toward net-zero emissions by 2050, Saint-Gobain Glass is giving our customers the confidence that their glass supply is built on a foundation of sustainability and innovation.
Saint-Gobain Glass isn’t just celebrating 25 years at Eggborough – it’s celebrating 25 years of collaboration with our customers and partners, building a future that’s better for the environment, better for business, and better for the glass industry as a whole.