Revolutionizing Glass Manufacturing: Glass Futures’ £54 Million R&D Project with Siemens’ PCS Neo

The Glass Futures manufacturing facility in St Helens, UK is revolutionizing the glass industry with a £54 million R&D project that aims to reduce emissions by 56%. The project utilizes Siemens technology to optimize the approach for ‘boosting’ glass furnaces with electrical heating. Once fully operational in late 2024, the facility will produce 30 tonnes of glass per day and will be the first to use Siemens’ latest digital control system, PCS Neo.

PCS Neo will unify and manage all plant operations at Glass Futures, providing flexibility to modify and build upon as the facility continues to develop. George Myers, control systems engineer at Glass Futures, highlights the importance of decarbonizing the manufacturing process as global demand for glass continues to rise. The use of electric boosting and hydrogen to melt glass presents a pathway to achieve this goal.

Stephen Haigh, head of glass industry UK & Ireland at Siemens, emphasizes the role of PCS Neo in simplifying operations and data collection at the site. This technology will also provide flexibility for future projects across the globe, enabling global engagement and learning. By supporting ambitious goals like those of Glass Futures, PCS Neo will help unlock a more sustainable future for the glass industry.