EFG's capacity to rise 1,200 tonnes per day

Khalid Kalban, Chairman of EFG and Managing Director & CEO of Dubai Investments, attended the function, along with prominent government officials, leading members of the business community and other dignitaries. EFG investors and business associates were also present.

The new plant will incorporate state-of-the-art technology features, leveraging the advancements in glass science, and is being set up with technological assistance from USA-based PPG Industries, global pioneers in glass manufacturing technology. The plant, which complements the company's existing production unit in ICAD, will have a daily production capacity of 600 tonnes.

Kalban said: "The second float line marks a significant milestone in Emirates Float Glass' business initiatives to build a conglomerate with a whole basket of product ranges in glass applications, and continues the company's growth and consolidation strategy." "Dubai Investments envisions every group entity to become leaders in their respective industry sector, and it is gratifying to note that Emirates Float Glass is on track to realise its founding objectives and emerging as the foremost player in the regional glass solutions industry," Kalban added.

N. D. Mohanty, General Manager of Emirates Float Glass, said, "The construction of the second plant will commence immediately and is scheduled to be completed by early 2010. Once complete, EFG will boast of two modern float glass plants with huge flexibility at an investment exceeding Dh1.5 billion, and will be the largest single-location float glass manufacturing facility in the region, with a combined capacity of 1,200 tonnes per day. The construction and supervision of the new plant has been entrusted to Italy-based Turn-Key contractors IANUA S.p.A."

"The addition of a second float line will significantly augment EFG's production capacity and business performance, and will equip the company with the agility required to handle large orders at very short notice. The new plant will feature the latest technology in float glass manufacturing, and we have put in place stringent quality management mechanisms to ensure that our products comply with the highest international standards," added Mohanty.