2022 is being promoted (by The International Commission on Glass (ICG), the Community of Glass Associations (CGA) and ICOM-Glass) as the United Nations International Year of Glass (IYoG2022), in recognition of the “scientific, economic and cultural” significance of glass. It celebrates the essential role that glass plays in the world and society in which we all live.

Glass is something we maybe take for granted and don’t stop to think about, but this year, the vision of IYoG2022 is to “celebrate the past, present, and the future of this transformative material.” Events, festivals, talks and workshops are to be delivered across the world to celebrate glass and to inform and demonstrate the crucial role it has played in world history, and in the development of our advancing civilisation. IYoG2022 also places a focus on building international alliances to promote science and engineering for young people and to stimulate research to tackle global challenges, such as environmental challenges and sustainability of a quality of life.

The International Year of Glass follows a milestone year in the history of Parkinson-Spencer Refractories Ltd.

“Parkinson & Spencer Limited” was formed as a limited company in July 1921, after first being established as a partnership in 1800. This means that last year, 2021, was the centenary year of PSR’s incorporation. For everyone at PSR, it feels fitting that these two celebrations occur in consecutive years; given the crucial role that the glass industry has played in the formation and development of what is now Parkinson-Spencer Refractories Ltd.

Since 1800 PSR has been mining stone and fireclay to support the farming activities of the Parkinson and Spencer families, and the refractoriness of the local fireclay led to the manufacture of firebricks which factored in the formative years of the glass melting industry. Click here to find out more about our history. Fast forward 220 years and we now work with over 300 customers in 78 countries across the globe and PSR is a leading supplier of refractories and engineered products for the glass manufacturing industry.

Click here to view a brochure produced for the United Nations International Year of Glass, which shares an interesting history about glass and its importance, as well as outlining in detail the vision and goals for IYoG2022. Last month, the IYoG2022 held its opening ceremony at the United Nations building in Geneva. To watch the event click here.