Encirc decarbonisation drive boosted by dark glass inspection solution

Encirc’s decarbonisation drive has received a major boost this week following its participation in the pioneering one-year Tenfold Net Zero Accelerator Programme.

The programme was launched in November 2023 following a partnership between DAERA and Digital Catapult NI which looked to provide local businesses with the opportunity to access the UK’s world class technology community to tackle challenges they face in the drive towards net zero.

Encirc, part of the Vidrala Group, was one of three Northern Ireland companies to participate in the programme. The three businesses, Encirc, Dale Farm and Agrisearch highlighted different challenges to their operations that needed innovative, technological solutions.

Digital Capital then sought companies throughout the UK who could then provide solutions to these problems.

As a result, Encirc will now work alongside i3D Robotics who will deliver a dark glass inspection solution which will offer significant operational and environmental benefits to the market leader in glass container design, manufacturing, bottling and logistics solutions.

Engineering Manager at Encirc, Barry King explained: “Due to the distinctive colour and opacity of the dark glass containers we produce at Encirc, conventional quality inspection methods encounter limitations.

“By improving automated detection of defects, the new proof-of-concept has the potential to significantly reduce waste, improve efficiency and reduce production costs.”

Barry added: “Increased precision will also facilitate the development of light-weight containers to provide further energy cost savings and reduce the carbon footprint of the product.”

Fiacre O’Donnell, Sustainability Director at Encirc said: “The Tenfold Net Zero Accelerator programme is a fine example of how the private and public sector can collaborate to find important solutions that will help the business community in Northern Ireland.

“We must commend DAERA and Digital Catapult for their work on this first of its kind programme. It shows that we can find solutions that are not only innovative and cost effective but also more sustainable.”

70 representatives from government, industry and other stakeholders recently gathered at CAFRE’s Loughry Campus for an event showcasing the innovative solutions the programme has delivered.

Andrew Muir, Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs acknowledged and commended the commitment that all industry partners demonstrated through participating in this first of its kind programme in Northern Ireland.

During the showcase event, representatives from DAERA and Digital Catapult also spoke candidly about the lessons learnt in the process of establishing and delivering the Tenfold programme, and how such collaborative approaches can best encourage or support wider industry adoption of innovative processes and products.

Ciara Reynolds, Deputy Director of Innovation and Change at DAERA, said: “Today’s event is an excellent conclusion to the Tenfold Net Zero Accelerator Programme. We have seen how a successful collaboration between the public and private sector has delivered proof-of-concept digital solutions which will benefit local businesses in their drive to achieve Net Zero.”

Sue McGuire, Senior Strategic Partnerships Manager at Digital Catapult, concluded: “We are thrilled with the success of the Tenfold programme, which has addressed critical industrial challenges through deep tech innovation. This pilot not only delivered meaningful solutions for industrial decarbonisation, but it has also laid the foundations on which a framework for government-industry innovation collaborations can be built.”