° AGC Glass Europe has restarted one of its three Teplice automotive glass float lines after a two-year upgrade. The new line, which will create around 80 jobs, will serve the Central European automotive market and reinforce AGC’s position as a strategic supplier in the region. Production of glass is expected to begin later this month.
° Saint-Gobain has completed its sale of Verallia North America (VNA) to Ardagh for a reported $1.69 billion (US). To satisfy the concerns of the FTC, Ardagh will sell six former Anchor Glass plants, acquired by Ardagh in 2012 for €720 million, to an affiliate of private equity fund manager KPS Capital Partners. Once Ardagh has completed its acquisition of VNA and the sale of the six former Anchor plants, its North America glass division will generate estimated annual revenues of US$2 billion (€1.4bn). The division will operate from 16 glass manufacturing facilities across the U.S., employing 5,000 people.
° Austria-based glass manufacturer Lisec Group has disclosed plans to enter the Nigerian glass market as it continues its growth strategy in Africa. Lisec already has strong presence in Egypt, Kenya and South Africa.
° Morgan Advanced Materials and Magma Ceramics and Catalysts have come together to create a new international group in the field of advanced ceramic and catalyst technology. This joint venture will see Morgan’s UK Fired Refractory Shapes business, based in Bromborough, merge with Magma Ceramics and Catalysts. The joint venture will operate under the Magma name; Morgan will take a 35 percent shareholding in the combined business.