Global recyclable glass and plastics food packaging company Aegg are preparing to open its first major warehouse facilities near Eye, Suffolk UK later this year.

The expansion is due to a big increase in demand for glass.

The facilities will house its four glass ranges including glass jars and bottles for food, glass bottles for soft drinks, juices and soups, glass bottles for water and a table-presentable range of pressed table glass.

The company can also create bespoke glass items to meet customer specifications.

£3.1 million is being invested by Aegg in improving and equipping this new facility, enabling production and warehousing operations and will result in creating 50 new jobs.

This business expansion has been supported by New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership through the Growing Business Fund, as well as separate support from Lloyds Bank Commercial Banking.

A related property company has invested a further £3.0m to purchase Aegg land and buildings, totalling £ 6.1 million investment in Aegg facilities altogether.

Aegg’s managing director, Jamie Gorman, said “Our new UK manufacturing facility and transport fleet will enable our customers to take advantage of our expanded turnkey operations, from conceptual design, production, warehousing, right through to logistics and delivery to our customers’ production lines.

“Our new combined unit has also come about from the huge upsurge in demand for glass food & drink packaging over the past couple of years.

“Aegg has seen a major shift from customers towards glass packaging, in line with global demand, due to glass being fully recyclable and deemed by some customers to be greener than plastic packaging, although our recyclable PET and PP plastic ranges are still proving popular.

“Although there is a shortage of glass packaging available in the UK marketplace at the moment, Aegg has worked hard with its suppliers to secure new volumes for its UK and global customers.

“In addition, Aegg is working with suppliers to create bespoke glass packaging items for its customers, including jars for jams and sauces and bottles for soft drinks and juices as well as pots for desserts, starters and dips.

“We are envisioning our glass offering will grow to become 50% of our business this coming year.”