The NSG Group has announced plans to increase its production of specialist glass products in Vietnam to supply the growing solar energy and touch screen sectors. The move is in line with the expansion plans outlined in the Group’s strategic management plan announced in November 2010.
The first of two new lines of coated glass, called float glass, will be fitted with online coating equipment for the production of glass for use in thin-film type photovoltaic applications. The second is specially designed to help to meet the growing demand for very thin high tech float glass products. The total investment will be in the order of $320 million USD (JPY 26 billion), with both lines due to start production in 2013. The Group estimates that approximately 400 jobs will be created locally as a result of the investment.
The new float lines will be constructed at the My Xuan site in southern Vietnam, where the company already operates a float line dedicated to solar energy products. The implementation of the new investment is subject to the approval of relevant Vietnamese government authorities.
The additional lines are expected to enable the NSG Group to optimize capacity management on the site, to meet demand for both export and domestic markets. The new investment brings its online coating float lines producing solar energy products to seven (one in Japan, two in North America, two in Europe and two in Vietnam) and those dedicated to UFF production to two (one in Japan and one in Vietnam).
