Jobs boost as bottle factory is approved

PLANS for a 600-job new factory in Ebbw Vale making glass containers from recycled bottles have been approved.

Planning consent for the £390m project, from Turkish-owned firm Ciner Glass UK at the Rassau Industrial Estate, has been granted by Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council - subject to a legally binding section 106 agreement.

Family-owned Ciner said its hi-tech facility will compete with the best in the world and make a positive contribution to the long-term prosperity of Wales.

Didem Ciner, executive board member of Ciner Glass, 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.”

The project will occupy a 21.5 hectare vacant site within the industrial estate.

As well as 600 new jobs, the project is expected to support 1,200 indirect jobs in its wider supply chain.

Between 400 to 500 jobs will be created during the construction phase, with several hundred people working on site during the peak of construction.

Ciner Glass intends to supply glass bottles to UK food and beverage producers.

The site is currently owned by the Welsh Government but will be acquired by the company. The factory is scheduled to open in 2026.

The business has already started to work closely with local colleges, universities and training providers so that it will be able to provide education and training opportunities in the area.

The company has grown to become an industry leader in glass making and has ambitious plans to expand its presence across Europe.

The Ebbw Vale project will be its biggest outside of Turkey.