Leading glass container manufacturer and filler, Encirc, has been recognised as the Sustainable Manufacturing category winner at The Manufacturer MX Awards (TMMX Awards). Delivered by The Manufacturer in partnership with the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE), TMMX Awards are peer-reviewed and widely regarded as the gold standard in manufacturing awards. The win comes on the same evening (17th Nov) that Encirc was also crowned winner of the Innovative solution prize at the Glass Focus awards.
The award further certifies the pioneering sustainability initiatives Encirc has put in place as the company continues to push the boundaries of sustainable manufacturing processes, with the aim of reducing its environmental impact and future-proof the business.
Initiatives such as Encirc’s unique 360 service have massively increased the sustainability of entire supply chains, using bulk shipping and streamlined distribution processes to reduce carbon emissions. Alongside its pioneering 360 service, Encirc has partnered with like-minded experts and suppliers to explore opportunities with biofuels and hydrogen to further amplify glass’ sustainability credentials. The glass container manufacturer and filler has also worked within its local communities, working with schools and businesses to increase recycling levels, raise awareness around biodiversity, and showcase the importance of sustainability for the future.
Earlier this year Encirc announced that its Science-Based Targets (SBTs) have now been validated. The most ambitious of their kind, the SBTs highlight Encirc’s commitment to operating in a way which helps prevent the planet’s temperature from rising more than 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. The company aims to reduce its Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 47%, and its Scope 3 emissions by 28% by 2030, helping minimise the effects of climate change. Encirc is leading the way in the industry towards ultra-low carbon glass, and last year created the world’s most sustainable bottles with 90% reduced carbon footprints, by trialling a furnace on biofuels and 100% recycled glass.
All of Encirc’s initiatives highlight how its hard work and dedication have contributed to it being named the winner of this year's TMMX Sustainable Manufacturing award.
Fiacre O’Donnell, Encirc’s Director of Sustainability, said: “Winning the Sustainable Manufacturing award at the MX Awards, is an absolute honour and testament to the continuous work we do as leaders in sustainability within the industry.
“Our holistic approach to sustainability means that all our stakeholders play a role in making it central to our business. We will continue to invest and innovate to create the most environmentally friendly bottles possible. We are excited to continue exploring new processes and pioneering new technology to push the business, and industry, forward.”
On the same night, Encirc was also awarded the Glass Focus Innovative solution prize, further cementing the companies’ reputation as a pioneer in generating new solutions that bring both environmental and economic benefits. The work saw improvements made to Encirc’s mould cooling processes – reducing energy usage from 24 to 10 kilowatts per tonne of glass produced.
The company, initially founded in 1998 in Derrylin Northern Ireland is now part of the Vidrala Group, with three Encirc sites in England, Northern Ireland and Italy. The business is a leader in the production of sustainable packaging – creating more than 4 billion glass containers a year while continuing to innovate and drive forward the manufacturing sector to be more sustainable and inclusive.
