A resolution has been unanimously agreed to grant planning permission to CiNER Glass UK to build a new £390m glass container manufacturing facility which uses recycled glass at the Rassau Industrial Estate, north of Ebbw Vale.
CiNER Glass UK says the project promises to be one of the largest investments in South Wales for decades, bringing thousands of direct and indirect jobs to the local area.
The project will also create significant supply chain opportunities, supporting 1,200 indirect jobs in the supply chain.
The facility, referred to in the planning documents as the “Dragon Glass Bottle Manufacturing Facility”, will consist of a four-part operation for the production of glass containers: melting and forming, the handling of raw materials, inspection and packaging, and warehousing.
CiNER Glass intends to supply glass bottles to UK food and beverage producers, with a vision to build a world-leading centre of engineering excellence in glass technology in Wales.
The Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council (BGCBC) agreed on the resolution to approve the planning application subject to a legally binding (Section 106) agreement, following a debate in the Council chamber.
CiNER Glass UK says the new plant is set to create around 600 highly skilled jobs on a 21.5ha vacant plot within the Rassau Industrial Estate – between 400 to 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with several hundred people working on site during the peak of construction.
The glass manufacturer says it hopes that the size and scale of this project can act as a catalyst for economic regeneration, helping increase investment in the circular economy in Wales.
Executive Board Member of CiNER Glass Ltd, Didem Ciner, said: “We are extremely pleased to have received approval to move forward with our exciting plans to build and operate our new glass bottle manufacturing facility in Ebbw Vale.
“This is the first step towards building a world class facility in the heart of South Wales and we cannot wait to begin working on making our vision for Blaenau Gwent a reality.”