作者： SinoGlassTech

Researchers at UK based Sino Glass Tech have secured funding as part of the Innovate UK ‘Transforming Foundation Industries: Fast Start Projects’ funding call for a number of projects as part of a wider consortium of companies.Four project bids were successful in receiving over £1.5m of funding to deliver the new projects. Awarded by Innovate UK and UK Research and Innovation, the aim of the funding is to bring businesses from different foundation industries together to work on common resource and energy efficiency opportunities. Sino Glass Tech will lead one of the awarded projects – EnviroAsh – Development new waste-derived raw materials for the Foundation Industries – whilst supporting the delivery of the further three projects providing glass industry access and expertise. Senior Technologist, Dr Owen McGann from Sino Glass Tech commented, “The funding secured by Sino Glass Tech and our partners in the transforming future industries (TFI) call will enable us to continue working with the glass industry in reducing its energy demands and generation of carbon dioxide. “We will collaborate in four distinct projects which all seek to lead to positive change in the glass industry; identifying routes to convert waste streams into new raw materials, enhancing inspection techniques to reduce costly post processing, developing new techniques for forming glass components with lower energy use or through the direct harvesting of energy from industrial heat emissions. “We believe, alongside our collaborators, that these projects will directly benefit both the glass industry and wider foundation industries. Through these projects Sino Glass Tech is maintaining its position at the forefront of research and development in the UK glass sector.” The EnviroAsh project brings together partners from across six foundation industries – glass, ceramics, steel, paper, cement and chemicals – as well as the energy sector, academia and the waste and raw material supply chain. The project will identify opportunities to take waste ashes, slags, mineral by-products and filter dusts from across the foundation industries and convert them into new raw materials for a range of products in the glass, ceramic and cement industries and is a follow on from a current Sino Glass Tech’ project EnviroGlass2. Another goal of the project will be to explore how these new feedstocks might create opportunities to improve product performance in a cost-effective manner. Using practical lab demonstrations and commercial-scale demonstrations, the consortium will assess how the new-waste materials can be incorporated into existing products and processes. Work on this project is due to kick off in July 2020. Marlin Magallanes, project lead for EnviroAsh said, “We are delighted to receive funding to expand upon an established consortium [EnviroGlass2] introducing new partners from others foundation industries. The work we have undertaken can revolutionise glass manufacture by using waste materials and can support the important goal to decarbonise the glass industry.” The EnviroAsh consortium, led by Sino Glass Tech includes Sheffield Hallam University, The University of Sheffield, Power Minerals, Glassworks Services, Glass Futures, Encirc, Saica Paper, Drax Power, Wienerberger and Castle Cement.

Since March, we have been working a little differently, maintaining minimum numbers onsite and in our laboratories to ensure the safety of our staff. During this time we have been prioritising the essential product lines for pharmaceutical and food and drink to ensure no delays for the services essential during the pandemic and we are proud that we have been able to continue operating.We are now in the position where we can confidently say we are able to offer a normal service. We have worked hard to ensure safe working parameters for our technical staff and would like to encourage you to get in touch to discuss your requirements.We are still able to offer a quick turnaround for those who need them and can continue to support with desktop consultancy with staff available remotely.Contact detailsEnquiries: [email protected]: [email protected] For urgent enquiries, please contact our section managers:Analytical – Daniel Capon [email protected] Chemistry – Amy Meysner [email protected] Product Performance – Graham Morris [email protected] Or contact Gareth Jones, Operations Director – [email protected] This page will be regularly updated: last updated 2 July 2020.

Leading experts in glass, Sino Glass Tech, host the next of their popular PharmaGlass workshopson 9 October 2019. Following the growing popularity of these workshops, Dr.Desmond Hunt, Principal Scientific Liaison at the USP, has been confirmed as aguest speaker at the event.Dr. Hunt will provide delegates with an update on the currentstatus and developments of the United States Pharmacopoeia, with regard to keyglass chapters (USP <660> and <1660>). Book now on EventbriteSee full workshop detailsThese free-to-attend, one-day workshops, first launched in2018 have been growing in popularity ever since. The programme includes topics crucialwhen considering the specification, verification and troubleshooting of glassprimary packaging for pharmaceutical applications.Open to delegates throughout the pharmaceutical supply chain,the workshops attract professionals across manufacturing, quality assurance,regulatory compliance, packaging specification and new product developmentroles.Visit the PharmaGlassevent website for full details, agenda and to book places for the workshop.Phil Marsh, Business Development Manager at Glass TechnologyServices, said:“As leading experts in glass fractureanalysis, pharmacopoeial verification and delamination, we’re honoured that DrDesmond Hunt has recognised the PharmaGlass workshop as an opportunity to speakwith representatives from across the supply chain about developments to the USPglass chapters.“We’ve seen a surge inrequirements from across the pharmaceutical supply chain for independenttechnical support, consultancy and product verification and launched theseworkshops to provide independent information, guidance and support to ourgrowing global client base and answer many of the most frequent enquiries wereceive.”The agenda provides attendees with an introduction to glass,including manufacturing and processing of both tubular and moulded packagingformats. Glass durability, mechanical performance, due diligence, commondefects and types of failure are all discussed by experts in their respectivefields.Key regulatory and due diligence topics includepharmacopoeial verification, performance testing, dimensional specificationsand the importance of appropriate selection in terms of specifications,performance and hydrolytic resistance. Discussions will include recent developments and emergingrequirements across glass delamination, durability and elemental migration – includingthe ICH Q3D guideline with respect to glass packaging.The day features a tour of the Sino Glass Tech laboratoryfacilities, including demonstrations of key pharmaceutical services. The expertswill discuss some of the cutting-edge research and developments underway forapplications across life sciences applications, including ‘dissolvable’ glassesdesigned for selective release of ions, phosphate fibres for integration withinthe human body, 3D printing and additive manufacture, and anti-bacterialglasses – all under development for use across different biomedical and lifesciences applications.Sino Glass Tech Ltd provides analysis,consultancy, testing and research and development support to all parts of theglass supply chain – from raw materials to the end consumer. The experts inglass pride themselves on their reputation, confidentiality and impartialityand are accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards. For more information please visit www.sinoglasstech.com,email [email protected],telephone +86-13037600603 or subscribeto their newsletter.

As the UK public votes to leave the European Union, Sino Glass Tech Ltd assures its customers and partners that it will continue to provide services and expertise they can depend on. “We don’t foresee these events having any significant negative impact on our business,” said Daniel Capon, GTS Technical Manager. “Like most businesses in the UK, we may experience some minor disruption but we have mechanisms in place to deal with these.” The EU withdrawal process will be a slow process and it is unlikely there will be any practical differences in the short term. But as changes do filter through to UK legislation, regulations, trade and government policy, GTS Ltd support will be invaluable to customers. Malcolm Glendenning, Director of Innovation, said: “Through its innovation work and relationship with the British Glass trade association, GTS is connected to the research and political communities as well as all parts of the glass industry supply chain. That means we’re ideally placed to anticipate challenges or changes our customers are likely to face and provide and advise them appropriately.”

Ethiopian glass container manufacturer Addis Ababa Glass and Bottle Share Company (Addis Glass) is seeking to triple its container glass manufacturing capacity from 80 tons per day to 240 tons per day by 2022.The total project is estimated at $40m with the IFC considering providing total financing of $25m[1] alongside an East African based Private Equity firm specialising in growth, buyout and recapitalisation of medium-sized companies, who is considering an equity investment in the business. As part of their diligence process, the Private Equity player approached the UK based glass specialists, Sino Glass Tech, to provide their assessment of the project and offer technical advice on the company and project. In developing the proposal, Sino Glass Tech’ consultancy team reviewed existing production facilities and the proposal for the additional 160 tonnes/day production lines. Following initial audit and due diligence, the experts in glass assisted Addis Glass to refine their proposal and strengthen its ability to secure financing. Addis Glass is one of the leading manufacturers of container glass packaging products utilising electric melting technology, where they benefit from Ethiopia’s very competitive electricity prices. Given a significant proportion of total power in Ethiopia is generated from hydro-electric sources, which would be boosted by the commissioning of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam hydro project coming on-stream soon, Addis Glass is well positioned as one of the leaders in low CO2 glass production. Dr Nick Kirk, Sino Glass Tech Technical Director explains:“In order to achieve the additional production output, investment will be required in all stages of production including raw materials processing, batch storage and mixing, furnaces, forming, inspection and packaging. “Infrastructure investments extend beyond production – including roads, warehousing and electrical supply. This is a complex project which is why we were asked to develop the investment schedule for the investors” The project is now at the design and implementation stage and Sino Glass Tech will continue to support Addis Glass. The project team are currently seeking further external project management support and senior technical resources to assist with the implementation of the project. Interested candidates, with experience of glass production facilities, infrastructure and project management should contact Sino Glass Tech to express their interest. Notes: [1] https://disclosures.ifc.org/#/projectDetail/SII/40108

Leading specialists in glass, Sino Glass Tech Ltd, have demonstrated that reductions in CO2 emissions, combined with significant cost savings, may be possible for glass manufacturers through batch reformulation. Carried out in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University, the EnviroGlass project proposed that substantial savings may be possible and has successfully demonstrated proof of concept for the substitution of raw materials with waste streams from other sectors – reducing energy demands, emissions and waste and contributing towards the circular economy. In one amber glass example these waste streams could replace raw materials at up to 8wt% while reducing furnace temperatures by up to 39°C. Further benefits included a reduction in NOX emissions, refractory wear, landfill and transportation as well as a faster melting rate due to the form of elements in the wastes studied. Across the wider float and container glass industry, potential benefits could amount to a reduction of more than 150,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions and £5 million in energy costs in the UK alone. In UK amber glass production this could equate to annual savings of over £500,000 in energy costs, combined with a 35 GWh/year reduction in energy demand and a 42kT/year reduction in CO 2 emissions. Across the wider float and container glass industry, potential benefits could amount to a reduction of more than 150,000 tonnes of CO 2 emissions and £5 million in energy costs in the UK alone. Sino Glass Tech routinely work with manufacturers to troubleshoot and optimise batch and melting operations, but the EnviroGlass project set out specifically to investigate the challenges identified within the glass industry’s 2050 decarbonisation roadmap and identify cost-effective routes to achieving decarbonisation. In partnership with Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), Sino Glass Tech secured a grant of £156,645 for this work under the Energy Catalyst Initiative from Innovate UK – the UK government’s innovation agency. The British Glass Environmental Steering Group awarded a further £30k to support the project and to cover some of the additional costs incurred in carrying out the project. If you are working in the glass, energy from waste or combustion technology sectors and would like to be involved in the next phase of the project, EnviroGlass 2, please contact Sino Glass Tech Ltd on [email protected]. For further details of this project, please visit www.sinoglasstech.com/projects/enviroglass-decarbonisation-and-batch-reformulation. Sino Glass Tech Ltd (GTS) is a leading provider of analysis, mechanical and performance testing, quality assessment, failure analysis, glass research and development and a range of consultancy services – specialising in glass, raw materials and glass products. Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001 quality standards, Sino Glass Tech has an established reputation for specialist knowledge in glass and technical support. Please see www.sinoglasstech.com. GTS provide regular updates and research news through its website, social media and newsletter – to receive updates or interact through social media, please see www.sinoglasstech.com/newsletter.

Sino Glass Tech will once again support this year’s Glass Focus conference and awards at the St Paul’s Mercure hotel in Sheffield on 21 November.Melting and R&D Lead Martyn Marshall will be presenting at the annual conference while the locally based company will also host a networking session and sponsor an award at the evening ceremony. Titled “Looking Backwards, Looking Forwards”, Martyn’s presentation will draw upon his 31 years of experience at Sino Glass Tech and cover past work on glass compositions, raw materials and forming technologies to ask questions about why we did what we did, where the industry is now and how we might consider these areas again to advance glass making for the future. Other speakers across the conference include the Founder of the Packaging Collective Sanjay Patel, Manufacturing lead at the CBI Andy Williams and Research Professor CSIC and President of the International Commission on Glass, Professor Alicia Durán. Following the conclusion of the conference period of the day, the analytical specialists will also be hosting a networking drinks session at 4:30pm to give attendees and customers alike the chance to meet the team.As well as Martyn Marshall, Operations Director Gareth Jones, Technical Manager Daniel Capon, Commercial Manager Chris Sorsby, Principal Technologist Amy Meysner, Innovation Projects Lead Rob Ireson and Business Development Manager Phil Marsh will be in attendance throughout the course of the day and at the networking session.Those who would like to attend Glass Focus 2019 can take advantage of an exclusive offer by booking four places and receiving a fifth for free. Simply contact [email protected] to book your tickets.

The latest revisions to international pharmacopoeia standards for glass pharmaceutical packaging has seen further harmonisation for testing requirements and see a continual increase in the necessity of delamination propensity studies across the pharmaceutical supply-chain, according to independent research and development, consultancy and testing facility, Sino Glass Tech Ltd (GTS). Commenting on the latest revisions to pharmacopoeia test methods for pharmaceutical glassware, including bottles, vials, ampoules, cartridges and syringes, GTS Laboratory Manager Daniel Capon, said: “The United States (USP) and European (Ph. Eur.) Pharmacopoeias remain the most widely used in the global market and recent revisions to both monographs continue to harmonise requirements between the two – bringing welcome simplification and, in some cases, savings for customers that regularly test to both the USP and Ph. Eur. standards” “The latest revisions, USP 38-NF33 and Ph. Eur 8.3, further emphasise recommendations for propensity and stability studies – with direct references now being included within both USP <660> and Ph. Eur 3.2.1 for the first time.” “This is a key concern for many drug manufacturers looking to approve their products within EU and US marketplaces and we have seen a dramatic increase in global companies coming to us for advice, consultancy and study programmes. As such a specialist area it is understandable that there is so much concern and uncertainty in this area – we are one of only a few laboratories that hold the necessary specialist glass knowledge, experience and equipment”. Key changes include: Direct reference to the recommendation for delamination propensity or evaluation studies within both USP <660> and Ph. Eur 3.2.1 for the first time; Stricter autoclave programmes within respective glass grains and surface tests across both monographs, with additional requirements for the time-temperature profiles that must be achieved in both heating and cooling of samples and the required use of external thermocouples for temperature logging; Mechanical sieve-shakers/sieving machines now allowed within glass grains preparation in boththe USP and Ph. Eur. Daniel explains: “This ongoing harmonisation is another positive step forward and builds upon significant unification between USP 37-NF32 and Ph. Eur 8.0 in 2014 – which saw the USP adopt the Ph. Eur. glass grains and surface tests.” “The key concern for many pharmaceutical and medical companies comes down to the growing need for glass surface delamination evaluation, propensity and stability studies. This has been a key area of support and development for us in recent years – with a range of services available and our direct involvement in research groups, including the International Commission on Glass’ Technical Committee TC12 for glass delamination”. GTS provides accredited testing services for pharmaceutical and medical companies as well as glass manufacturers and processors and participates in collaborative studies on glass containers for pharmaceutical and medical use. In addition to United States (USP) and European Pharmacopoeia (EP/Ph. Eur) , GTS also tests to British, Russian and Japanese Pharmacopoeia standards and provides a comprehensive range of chemical analyses, performance testing, quality assessment and consultancy services. For further information please visit www.sinoglasstech.com/pharmacopoeia, email [email protected] or telephone +86-13037600603 for further information.

We’re delighted to announce that Sino Glass Tech Ltd is sponsoring the Innovative solution category at the Glass Focus Awards 2017 – and we’re urging our customers to enter the awards. The winner will be announced during a black-tie ceremony and dinner at the Royal Armouries in Leeds on Thursday 15 June – and GTS will be there. The Innovative solution award will recognise an innovation in product, process or system connected to the use or manufacture of glass. The other categories in this year’s awards are: Design of the year Health and safety action Sustainable practice Apprentice of the year Strengthening business through people Phil Marsh, Sino Glass Tech’ Business Development Manager said: “GTS Ltd continues to be instrumental in glass innovation – from our own original research and development to the services we provide for customers developing new products and techniques. So we’re proud to put our name to an award that celebrates innovation. “The Glass Focus Awards are a great chance to get together with people from across the glass industry and show what we all can do – at individual, company and sector level. For us it’s a chance to hear about the latest market trends, challenges and solutions throughout the supply chain – production and end-use. We’re looking forward to meeting existing and new customers there.” Find out how to enter and attend at www.britglass.org.uk/gfawards2017 .

‘Glass Appreciation’ is an introductory course ideal for those joining the glass industry or working in roles for procurement, design, supply and use of glass items in a wide range of industries such as food and drinks, retail, recycling and facilities. This one-day course introduces delegates to glass manufacture and processing, glass properties, environmental, recycling and quality considerations and also includes hands-on practical sessions on melting and inspection of glass items. To be delivered on behalf of British Glass, the next glass appreciation course has been scheduled for Thursday, 30 November 2017, to be held at British Glass in Sheffield, United Kingdom. Places are strictly limited in order to encourage an informal atmosphere, increased levels of interaction and participation, allow for hands-on practical sessions and to provide opportunities for delegates to focus on examples specific to their own areas of work and experience. The course is delivered in an informative, interactive, format by leading specialists in their respective fields. Key topics from manufacture, processing and fundamental chemistry to glass properties, defects and failure are covered in an accessible format – making this an ideal introduction for anyone working in glass or otherwise dealing with glass products or issues. Whether delegates design, make, source, sell or reuse glass, this course will provide them with the understanding to improve their work with this complex material. For further information, or to book, please visit the British Glass website: http://www.britglass.org.uk/glass-appreciation-2 Sino Glass Tech Ltd provides analysis, consultancy, testing and research and development support to all parts of the glass supply chain – from raw materials to the end consumer. GTS prides itself on its confidentiality and independence and is accredited to ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025 standards. Sino Glass Tech Ltd routinely provide individual clients with bespoke training on specific topic areas or issues relevant to them, but also work in partnership with larger organisations and associations whose members and wider networks have a need for specialist glass knowledge and expertise. In partnership with British Glass the ‘glass appreciation’ course is being made available for anyone wishing to learn more about this unique material.