Eco Group has significantly expanded its operations in south-west Scotland by investing in a 60,000-square-foot manufacturing site in Dumfries. This facility will produce VASO by Eco’s recycled glass panels for the housing and construction sectors, doubling the company’s regional footprint. The initiative is set to create up to 70 jobs over the next five years, with 12 positions available immediately.
VASO by Eco offers a pioneering circular housebuilding solution, using panels made from recycled glass to deliver affordable, thermally efficient, low-carbon homes. The manufacturing plant in Dumfries will utilise 1.8 acres of yard space and aims to address the UK’s housing crisis through advanced industrial construction methods.
Eddie Black, Eco’s founder and Managing Director, stated, “Manufacturing VASO by Eco panels in Dumfries and Galloway positions Scotland at the forefront of a building solution that will help solve the housing crisis.” The panels are designed to be quick to manufacture and assemble, requiring minimal labour and equipment, while maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability.
The VASO by Eco panels are supported by a 60-year Lloyds of London warranty, offering superior thermal performance, fire resistance, and durability. The Dumfries site will initially focus on research and development, showcasing its first VASO by Eco showhome, and supplying panels for a planned construction project in Scotland.
The investment aligns with national strategies such as Housing to 2040, recognising the need for collaborative action on housing pressures. Reports like Prosper’s “Housing Supply For A Growing Economy” have highlighted the urgency of adopting Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) and offsite manufacturing.
Garry Legg, Head of Strategy at South of Scotland Enterprise, commented, “There is a unanimous consensus that we must do things differently to address the housing challenge.” VASO by Eco’s approach is seen as a potential game-changer for the construction industry, with plans to expand production lines by 2027.
Looking beyond the UK, Eco is exploring opportunities across Europe and is set to participate in the Invest in Barbados initiative to discuss housing projects in the Caribbean, Cuba, and Venezuela. VASO by Eco has also been shortlisted for a Circular Economy Award by BE-ST, recognising its contribution to sustainable construction.
