The purpose of the Duke of York's visit was to congratulate Rockware on gaining the 2003 Queen's Award for Enterprise: Sustainable Development last year (see letsrecycle.com story). The award recognised Rockware's increase in glass recycling from 132,053 tonnes in 1999 to 231,564 tonnes in 2003.
The Prince told Rockware: “I am very pleased with what I have seen and with the contribution that you are obviously making towards increasing recycling of bottles and jars.”
 Prince Andrew and David Currie ( MD Rockware Glass, left) are shown the Knottingley recycling facilities by John Roberts (right), chairman of plant operators Reuse |
During his visit, Prince Andrew was shown the beginning of Rockware's 25 million programme of investment in a specialist beer, spirits and wine bottle production facility. Two of the plant's furnaces are being rebuilt with the installation of energy efficiency and emissions reduction systems to exceed new European requirements which become mandatory in 2007.
The investment also includes the UK’s first Ten Section Owens Illinois Quadruple Gob machine, which will make “high quality, light weight beer bottles at high output levels”, the company said.
The Prince's visit also marked 50 years of glass container production at Rockware's Headlands site in Knottingley. Over its five decades, 30 billion glass bottles have been produced by the plant for beverage companies including Stella Artois, Budweiser and Heineken.
” I am very pleased with what I have seen and with the contribution towards increasing recycling of bottles and jars. “
– Prince Andrew
David Currie, Rockware’s managing director, said: “The Duke’s visit not only underlines our achievements over the past 50 years, but confirms our ongoing commitment towards our employees, our customers, and a real commitment to exceeding targets for recycling and reduced environmental impact, to create a uniquely advanced and sustainable operation.”
As well as the investment in the Knottingley plant, Rockware is investing 7m in a second cullet treatment plant alongside the company’s Doncaster factory, creating 30 associated jobs.
[…] Royal visit for Rockware glass recycling plant – Glass recycler Rockware Glass … As well as the investment in the Knottingley plant, Rockware is investing 7m in a second cullet treatment plant alongside the company’s Doncaster factory, creating 30 associated jobs. […]