Vitrium Holdings says it is continuing to look at a number of potential sites in the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire region to build a GBP 50 million plant which would be the UK“s first commerci…
Vitrium Holdings says it is continuing to look at a number of potential sites in the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire region to build a GBP 50 million plant which would be the UK“s first commercial vitrification facility for the treatment of industrial waste. It emerged in the week commencing 21 November 2005 that Vitrium was negotiating the acquisition of a glass plant in Cardiff, which is due to close. However, Vitrium Chief Executive John Evans emphasised that any potential deal in Wales will not deter the company from building a plant in the locality. “We plan to have five sites in total across the United Kingdom and we continue to look at two prospective locations in South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire”, Mr. Evans said. “Even if the proposals in South Wales go-ahead, we still intend to have a site in this region and plans are in place for it to be the company“s headquarters”. “South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire has a long legacy in the glass making industry and we aim for this to continue. The company has very close links with the city“s Universities and Glass Technology Services (GTS), who are based in Sheffield”. The move could lead to the creation of more than 300 jobs and Vitrium has already held talks with Sheffield First for Investment, Sheffield Council and Derbyshire County Council. Environmental groups favor the vitrification process because it completely eliminates contamination and produces an environmentally safe glass for building aggregate, cement and even tiles and kitchen surfaces. “At the plant the waste will be treated in a negatively pressured environment to ensure the elimination of emissions of any noise or odour,” added John. “Our process is cleaner, safer and less wasteful than treating wastes with chemicals or burying it in large concrete blocks. The key point is that the contamination is dissolved in the glass and therefore cannot leak out”.