• Hindusthan National Glass Industries has announced plans to invest approximately Rs 2500 crore over 7-8 years on a new manufacturing facility in the Neemrana region of Rajasthan, India. The company is also setting up a new unit in Andhra Pradesh, India, at an investment of Rs 650 crore. The unit, with an estimated capacity of 750 tons per day, is expected to be operational by March 2012.
  • AGC Glass Europe has announced that it proposes to shut down its two oldest glass furnaces in Europe: One of four furnaces at the Moustier, Belgium, plant and the furnace in the Salerno, Italy, plant. Operations are cease by end of March 2012.
  • When Corning Inc. recently landed its first order for photovoltaic glass, the sale raised hopes that the new product will quickly become a moneymaker for the Twin Tiers’ largest employer. That’s not likely to be the case, especially in the short term, because of geopolitical difficulties that will likely disrupt the solar energy market this year.
  • Glass packaging provider Saint-Gobain will continue to focus on emerging market development after strong Latin American sales “spurred” organic growth of more than 25 percent. The company’s packaging segment, Verallia, will concentrate on emerging markets after “strong” Latin American sales boost the France-based company’s packaging segment, which reported 30 percent organic growth compared to 2010 — with a “favorable” sale price increase of 2.7 percent for the year and strong sales in countries such as Brazil, Argentina and Chile driving the increase.
  • In 2011, Imerys‘ end markets held well overall compared with 2010, a year of sharp upturn and inventory rebuilding. The signs of economic slowdown that appeared in the summer created a more contrasting environment in the 4th quarter but only had a tangible effect on the paper business.

Share/Print