Uroboros Glass

Uroboros Glass in North Portland

(Kelly House/Staff)

Art-glass manufacturer Uroboros Glass, embroiled in Portland's toxic air scare this year, has been sold and will have production of its products relocated to Mexico, the Portland company's founder announced Tuesday.

The move comes after a tumultuous year for Portland art glass makers. Researchers found elevated levels of toxic heavy metals near Uroboros and another Portland glass manufacturer, prompting ramped up regulation of the industry. The new regulations require costly industrial filters that prevent the release of glass production's toxic byproducts.

Increased compliance costs were part of the reason to sell, Uroboros founder Eric Lovell wrote in September. Lovell also cited market factors, gentrification, and his age.

Uroboros's new owner, Oceanside Glasstile, is based out of Carlsbad, California. The company has been making glass for25 years, according to its website.

Lovell was effusive about the new owners.

"Their company culture embodies the unusual combination of aesthetic understanding and a well-grounded, responsible manufacturing ethic," Lovell said in a statement posted on the Uroboros website.

Per the current timetable, the Portland facility will stop making sheets of glass by February and resume after moving equipment to Tijuana, Mexico, in May.

Uroboros is the second major Northwest glass-maker to be sold to Oceanside Glasstile. Spectrum Glass, based in Washington, announced its sale in September.

Portland's other major art glass manufacturer, Bullseye Glass, opted to install the newly-required industrial filters instead of closing shop.

-- Fedor Zarkhin

503-294-7674; @fedorzarkhin