Pilkington UK – Glass Systems Company award winner

Pilkington United Kingdom Limited, part of the NSG Group , is a pioneering glass manufacturer committed to sustainability and innovation. With a rich history dating back to the 1800s, it pioneered the modern float glass process and has maintained its position as a leading supplier of high-quality glass ever since.

Neil Syder , Managing Director at Pilkington UK said: “Receiving an award under any circumstance is a real honour, but when it comes from the votes of industry professionals, its significance is magnified.

“Being named the Glass Systems Company of the Year at the National Fenestration Awards 2023 is an acknowledgment of our company’s collective dedication to upholding our reputation. The award is a direct reflection of the collaborative accomplishments of our various branches, efficient operations, and those crafting our products – all of these define our success.”

In February 2022, Pilkington UK achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first flat glass manufacturer to operate its furnace on 100% biofuel, demonstrating a viable low-carbon alternative to natural gas, as part of a project led by Glass Futures.

Based off the learnings from this trial, the glassmaker recently launched Pilkington Mirai?, the lowest embodied carbon glass of its kind on the market. Only 50% of the CO2 usually associated with standard glass production is emitted in the manufacturing of the product. This is achieved using 100% alternative fuels, 50% recycled glass in the batch, and by running the line on 100% renewable electricity, without compromising the quality of the product.

Pilkington UK’s sustainable product offering is not limited to Pilkington Mirai?. Pilkington K Glass? and Pilkington Suncool? are designed to enhance energy conservation and comfort in buildings. Meanwhile, self-cleaning glass, Pilkington Activ?, takes advantage of natural processes to reduce cleaning needs and to conserve water.

The manufacturer’s dedication to sustainability extends beyond products, to collaborations with industry organisations, local councils, and research institutions. Its currently at the forefront of exploring hydrogen as an alternative energy source to power their furnace through a partnership with the HyNet scheme. These initiatives dovetail with the glassmaker’s ambitious objective of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

Serving as the guiding principle behind all of Pilkington UK’s sustainable endeavours is a newly launched corporate philosophy - makechange?, which reflects its unwavering commitment to a greener future.

The makechange? message permeates every facet of the glassmaker’s operations, captured through a holistic approach encompassing its people, products, and processes, to ensure a comprehensive and sustained contribution to a greener future.

With a visionary approach and a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices, Pilkington UK continues to lead the way towards a greener and more environmentally responsible future in the glass manufacturing industry.