Date: 8 March 2004
The award recognised Rockware's increase in glass recycling from 132,053 tonnes in 1999 to 231,564 tonnes in 2003.
The Prince told Rockware: "I am very pleased with what I have seen and with the contribution that you are obviously making towards increasing recycling of bottles and jars."
During his visit, Prince Andrew was shown the beginning of Rockware's £25 million programme of investment in a specialist beer, spirits and wine bottle production facility. Two of the plant's furnaces are being rebuilt with the installation of energy efficiency and emissions reduction systems to exceed new European requirements which become mandatory in 2007.
The investment also includes the UKs first Ten Section Owens Illinois Quadruple Gob machine, which will make "high quality, light weight beer bottles at high output levels", the company said.
The Prince's visit also marked 50 years of glass container production at Rockware's Headlands site in Knottingley. Over its five decades, 30 billion glass bottles have been produced by the plant for beverage companies including Stella Artois, Budweiser and Heineken.
David Currie, Rockwares managing director, said: "The Dukes visit not only underlines our achievements over the past 50 years, but confirms our ongoing commitment towards our employees, our customers, and a real commitment to exceeding targets for recycling and reduced environmental impact, to create a uniquely advanced and sustainable operation."
As well as the investment in the Knottingley plant, Rockware is investing £7m in a second cullet treatment plant alongside the companys Doncaster factory, creating 30 associated jobs.
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