The Glass Futures scheme in St Helens will involve building a 158,000 sq ft glass furnace research and development centre, capable of producing 30 tonnes of sustainable glass a day.

The ultimate goal of the industry research project will be to eliminate CO2 from the production process.

Contractor Bowmer & Kirkland, has been appointed as stage 1 contractor following an open procurement process ,which was managed through the North West Construction Hub.

The research factory will be built on a 14-acre site adjacent to St Helens’ Rugby League ‘Totally Wicked’ stadium

The facility is being funded through a mix of public and private investment.  The Government has committed to £15m of funding for the ground-breaking project.

Landowner and developer, Network Space, will secure private sector investment to support the construction costs alongside a £9m grant from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Glass sector companies will also contribute a further £20m in resource, time and equipment to support the project.

Glass Futures’ chief executive Richard Katz, said: “The planning submission is a great step forward in creating a facility that will deliver innovative technologies to make glass net zero.

“The Centre of Excellence will help us work collaboratively with our members, the supply chain and academia to achieve that aim.”