Pilkington (NSG Group): Top of the glass - Science, skills and sustainability

The University and Pilkington Technology Management Limited (Pilkington), part of the NSG Group, have been working together for 17 years, combining world-leading glass manufacturing with expertise in chemistry, AI, and robotics.

This partnership drives innovation, tackles global sustainability challenges, and develops future talent by embedding skills directly into industry. Formally strengthened through a Memorandum of Understanding in 2023, the University is Pilkington’s academic partner of choice for thin-film materials discovery.

Beyond research, the partnership has created a pipeline of skilled graduates and researchers, several now employed permanently at Pilkington, ensuring knowledge flows both ways and supporting long-term industrial innovation.

Our long-standing partnership with the University demonstrates the power of combining industrial expertise with academic excellence. Together, we’re accelerating the discovery of new materials and technologies to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and develop the skilled people who will lead future innovation.

Kevin Sanderson, Chief Technology Officer at NSG Pilkington

Activities and impact Studentships and talent development

Pilkington supports PhD students across three EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs), embedding them in real-world projects. Graduates gain technical and leadership skills, building a diverse talent pipeline, and five University researchers have joined Pilkington permanently.

Accelerating commercialisation

A University-managed EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account (IAA) enabled the permanent recruitment of postdoctoral researcher Dr Teresa Partida-Manzanera, now Materials Scientist at Pilkington, and produced results that are progressing toward patent applications. The project broadened Pilkington’s scientific scope, enabling innovation that would not have been possible without the University’s expertise.

Regional and economic benefits

New coating line in St Helens, supported by University research, anchor R&D in the Liverpool City Region, creating high-value jobs and strengthening global competitiveness.

Environmental and sustainability Impact

Collaborative projects advance lowcarbon materials, building-integrated solar cells, and energy-efficient glazing, supporting the UK’s net-zero goals.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

Inclusive recruitment and the hiring of female researchers, including Dr Teresa Partida-Manzanera and Dr Verity Piercy, support NSG’s global diversity targets. Now in its 17th year, the University- Pilkington partnership demonstrates how academic excellence and industrial scale combine to deliver sustainable innovation, real-world impact, and the skilled workforce of the future.

The EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account project  gave me the opportunity to apply my research in a real industrial setting and to see how academic discoveries can translate into innovation. Joining Pilkington has allowed me to continue developing these ideas, working directly on technologies that can improve energy efficiency and support sustainability.
It’s exciting to be part of a partnership where knowledge flows both ways—helping industry benefit from cutting-edge science while giving researchers like me the chance to make a realworld impact.

Dr Partida-Manzanera, Materials Scientist at Pilkington