World-first VASO Global recycled glass housing solution impresses industry leaders at launch event

The world needs more advanced manufacturing pioneers like Eddie Black and VASO Global said the Scottish Government’s Chief Entrepreneur Ana Stewart after opening the innovative business’ 60,000-square-feet manufacturing site in Dumfries.
VASO Global’s build solutions create highly efficient buildings at speed from panels manufactured from recycled glass, providing affordable, low energy cost, low carbon homes.
The opening of VASO Global’s Manufacturing site on Friday (September 25) attended by 60 guests from a range of industries, investment bodies, and public and private sector organisations from across Scotland and northern England, unlocks regional, national and global opportunities.
Launching its first production line of high-performance structural composite panels marks the culmination of years of work by the company’s Co-Founder and CEO Eddie Black, Chief Technical Officer Simon Parrish, and the VASO team.
The business will create up to 70 jobs within the next five years, with 15 jobs having already been filled from the Dumfries area.
Officially opening the manufacturing site, Ana Stewart said: “Scotland has a proud history of invention and innovation, and Eddie and Simon are helping to keep Scotland on the map in advanced manufacturing innovation.
“VASO’s product has the potential to positively impact communities across Scotland, the UK, and globally. What’s important now is that they get the right support to scale up operations and accelerate their growth.
“What Eddie and the team have developed over almost four years, to get to this point today is a fantastic achievement. Their entrepreneurial resilience shines through and will be an invaluable asset going forward, as they expand and scale their business.”
Speaking at the opening Eddie said: “Today is far more than the opening of a production facility. Today is the continuation of a vision, a belief, and almost four years of determination, resilience, sacrifice, frustration, excitement, setbacks, breakthroughs and, above all, unwavering commitment.
“Construction is not famous for embracing change. In fact, as we have found, it is incredibly resistant to it.
“We were told repeatedly that it couldn’t be done. That the market wasn’t ready. That people wouldn’t change. That investors wouldn’t back manufacturing. That new materials would never gain acceptance. That traditional methods would always win.
“But every now and again, industries reach a moment when they must choose between protecting the past and embracing the future. We firmly believe that moment has arrived.
“Today, standing inside this facility, we are proving that innovation, sustainability, advanced manufacturing and construction can coexist to create something truly transformational.”
VASO Global has gained more than £5m investment from a range of organisations including PXN Ventures, Scottish Enterprise, South of Scotland Enterprise through a collaboration with Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Innovate UK Loans Limited – a division of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and Eco Group which will be the delivery partner for the initial VASO Global build projects.
Eddie said: “With everyone involved across these organisations supporting this mission collectively we have secured investment into advanced manufacturing and industrialised construction at a scale which shows confidence, shows belief, and it shows that people can see what we can see.
“Ultimately this is about impact. I genuinely believe VASO is of utmost importance to Scotland. Housing shortages are growing, homelessness numbers are up, as are families in temporary accommodation. Infrastructure demands are increasing. Governments around the world need better, faster and more sustainable ways to deliver homes, schools, healthcare facilities and critical infrastructure.
“Without infrastructure, economies cannot grow. Without innovation, productivity stagnates. VASO provides a pathway towards solving some of these challenges.
“Our ambition is international. Our market is global. And our mission is clear – to reshape the built environment through innovation, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
“I genuinely believe that we are witnessing the start of one of the most exciting opportunities to emerge from Scotland in a generation. Together, we will take Scotland to the world. Together, we will build better. Together, we will change the future of the built environment.”
Tom Croy, PXN Ventures Investment Director, who joined all attendees on a tour of the new manufacturing site at Friday’s launch, said: “To see how these things come together is quite incredible. VASO Global is on time and on budget and we at PXN, along with other partners, are very excited about what can be achieved here.”
Russel Griggs, Chair of South of Scotland Enterprise, said: “Investing in innovations such as VASO Global does double good. It helps the company develop the product and helps the people who will live in these thermally-efficient, cost-effective homes, which will boost our wider communities.”
Christina Melling, Senior Relationship Manager at Innovate UK, said: “Seeing the manufacturing site first-hand really brings to life the scale and ambition of the operation here. Eddie and the team are building the future here in Dumfries, and we at Innovate UK are delighted to be supporting the company at this pivotal stage of its growth.”
Simon Parrish, VASO Global Chief Technical Officer, who created the original concept for the product, said the potential applications are vast and far-reaching, with inquiries coming in from a range of diverse sectors all over the world.
Simon said: “Almost every opportunity that is coming in has a wow factor. Every single person who works for VASO Global can see the opportunity.
“It’s a team effort. Since starting recruitment in January we have built a brilliant team headed up by our highly-experienced Manufacturing and Engineering manager Jim Patterson.
“Now, as Jim would say, it’s about moving from the engineering phase to the manufacturing phase, and it’s all about the delivery.”
The number of VASO panels needed to construct a three-bedroom house will be manufactured at the Dumfries plant in just 500 minutes. They are flat-packed and reassembled on site in a matter of days.
VASO Global panels will be used for the first time on an affordable housing project on a brownfield site at Closeburn, north of Dumfries,
A VASO demonstration home is also planned to be built in Annan and will be officially unveiled next month.