A £350million bottle factory in Ebbw Vale will create around 600 new jobs and serve as a catalyst for the regeneration of the Welsh Valleys.

That is according to representatives of Ciner Glass UK, speaking to the first minister.

Mrs Didem Ciner met Welsh political and community leaders including the First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS, to discuss plans for glass container production in Blaenau Gwent.

Senior executives from CiNER Glass UK have visited South Wales today to hold face to face discussions with the First Minister of Wales, Blaenau Gwent Borough Council and members of the local community.

Executive Board Member of CiNER Glass Ltd, Mrs Didem Ciner, met with First Minister, Mark Drakeford MS to outline the economic and environmental benefits of the project at the proposed site, a 21.5h vacant plot within the Rassau Industrial Estate, north of Ebbw Vale in Blaenau Gwent.

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It is located within the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone and occupies a strategic location next to the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road.
Mrs Ciner said: “Ciner Glass proposes a major investment which will benefit Wales for decades and generations to come. We are a family business who believe in the importance of investing in the local community and providing training and development opportunities.

“I’m proud both of our track record in innovation and our commitment to sustainability. We produce the lightest beer bottles in the world which reduces their cost and environmental impact.”

CiNER Glass intends to build a world-leading centre of engineering excellence in glass technology in Wales.

CiNER’s £350m investment would create around 600 highly skilled jobs at the facility.

CiNER hopes that the size and scale of the project can act as a catalyst for economic regeneration in the South Wales Valleys.

The proposed development would also create significant supply chain opportunities, with 400 – 500 jobs created during the construction phase, with several hundred people working on site during the peak of construction.

CiNER Glass is headquartered in the UK and part of CiNER Group, a major international conglomerate with its roots in Turkey.

Mrs Ciner and the First Minister also discussed how the project can increase investment in the circular economy in Wales as part of the Welsh Government’s ambition for a green economic recovery in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. The company supports any decision made by the authorities for a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and wants to play an active role in consolidating Wales’ reputation as a global leader in recycling if glass is considered within the DRS.
Mark Drakeford said: “The company have ambitious plans and the Welsh Government has worked closely with them to highlight the advantages which a Welsh location could provide.”

During her visit, Mrs Ciner also met with members of Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council’s Executive Committee to discuss the company’s commitment to sustainable production and explore how CiNER could help support the council’s ambition to become carbon neutral by 2030.

Councillor Dai Davies, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “We shared with them our vision for decarbonisation and how our long-term plans are designed to improve well-being in Blaenau Gwent. It was a pleasure after such a long time of remote working to meet in person and explore these important issues”.

Mrs Ciner also held discussions with representatives of Coleg Gwent Further Education College and met students to discuss future employment opportunities.
Over the summer, CiNER Glass UK conducted a 28-day Pre-Application Consultation (PAC) on their proposals. The company is now preparing a full planning application for submission to Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council.