Emirates Float Glass becomes fully operational

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Emirates Float Glass (EFG), a subsidiary of Glass LLC which is wholly owned by Dubai Investments PJSC, has announced that its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi has now become fully operational, with the plant achieving 100% capacity utilization despite challenging market conditions.

Built at a cost of AED 692 million with technological assistance from US-based PPG Industries, the global leaders in glass manufacturing technology, EFG is the largest integrated glass processing facility in the UAE with a capacity of 190,000 tons per annum under phase 1 of the project.

“Dubai Investments is a pioneer in glass manufacturing in the UAE, boasting a cluster of world-class companies that have helped to enhance the country’s image as a regional hub for the manufacture of glass products,” said Faisal Rashid, General Manager of Glass LLC. “As an integrated glass processing facility that serves markets around the world, Emirates Float Glass is central to DI’s vision for the future of the glass industry, and the recent operational milestones achieved by the company provide a significant boost to our long-term growth plans.”

Ghassan Mashal, General Manager of Emirates Float Glass, said, “Emirates Float Glass began commercial operations just over a year ago, and it is a matter of pride for us that the company has been able to achieve optimal capacity utilization in such a short span of time, despite market conditions remaining challenging over the past year.”

“EFG manufactures world-class glass products under licensed technology from PPG Industries, and the company today exports its products to more than 35 countries spanning South America, Europe, Australia, Far East Asia and Africa, in addition to the GCC states,” Mashal added.

Following the successful completion of the various color campaigns, the product mix offered by EFG now includes clear, tinted and pyrolytic coated float glass for various applications in the architectural and automotive industries.

The Board of Directors of Emirates Float Glass is currently reviewing its strategic plans to speed up expansion under phase 2, confirming EFG’s market leadership as the largest single-location integrated glass manufacturing and processing facility in the region.

Located at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi-2 (ICAD-2), the EFG plant employs approximately 300 people and has generated nearly 1,000 additional jobs in related supplies and logistics industries, thereby supplementing the initiatives of the UAE Government on industrial and economic development in the country.

© 2010 Mena Report (www.menareport.com)