Glass LLC achieved two notable landmarks recently with one of its subsidiaries, Emirates Glass, tripling its production with the installation of a new coating line.

Another subsidiary, Emirates Float Glass (EFG), received the CE mark which is a regulatory approval to market a product in the European Economic Area for its range of clear, bronze and grey float glass products.

The installation by Emirates Glass of its new coating line came in the wake of increased global demand for energy-efficient architectural glass. The move was part of a Dh160 million ($43.5 million) investment under Phase 1 of the company’s expansion programme.

With the installation of the multi-million-dirham Terra-G sputter-coating line, the yearly capacity of Emirates Glass has tripled to more than 3.5 million sq m.

“The capacity expansion will enable Emirates Glass to capitalise more effectively on demand for energy-efficient architectural glass and emerge as a truly global player in the glass industry,” said Ziad Yazbeck, senior vice president, sales and marketing, Glass LLC.

“The move will allow us to diversify our position geographically and expand our market to more countries in the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and Europe.”

The new coating line is now operating as designed, producing cut-to-size and stock sheet post-temperable, high-performance coated glass under the popular EmiCool brand name.

“EmiCool is one of our largest selling brands and has been much in demand globally owing to its high performance and superior energy efficiency,” said Yazbeck. “Available in a variety of models to suit diverse customer requirements, EmiCool is designed to perform optimally in heating-dominated as well as cooling-dominated climates, keeping the heat in, or out, as required.”

Emirates Glass is one of the leading processors of architectural flat glass in the Middle East, exporting products to 18 countries around the world. Based in the UAE, the company offers the widest variety of high-performance solar control, low-emissivity coated glass products available on the market today. Emirates Glass’ high-performance coated glass products provide building owners, architects and consultants a wide range of thermal performance and aesthetic expression from which to choose.

In a recent survey, Emirates Glass was ranked among the 50 most influential construction suppliers in the GCC region.

First to receive CE accolade
Emirates Float Glass is the first glass manufacturer in the Middle East to receive the CE mark for its products.

Ghassan Mashal, general manager of EFG, received the certification on behalf of the company from Nigel Rees, CEO of Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), the UK-based global trade association representing the glass industry, at a ceremony held in Dubai recently.

“This is an important milestone in EFG’s pursuit in becoming a truly world-class company,” Mashal said. “The certification allows us to affix the CE mark – which denotes conformity to the highest standards of quality and safety – on our products and will enable us to market our range of float glass in countries throughout the European Economic Area.

“Since its inception in 2009, EFG has striven to maintain consistently high standards of quality across its product range. Our products are currently exported to more than 35 countries around the world, and the CE mark approval will allow us to make new inroads into high-potential European markets and further extend our global reach.”

EFG already exports products to several European countries including Spain, Italy, Ukraine, and the Netherlands.

Its range of clear, bronze and grey float glass was certified by TNO, Netherlands - a leading independent provider of quality assurance and evaluation services - under European Standards EN 410 and EN 572 –Part 1.

The CE mark is a mandatory conformity mark on products placed on the single market in the European Economic Area. The CE mark certifies that a product has met EU consumer safety, health or environmental requirements.

EFG is the largest integrated glass processing facility in the UAE with a capacity of 190,000 tonnes per annum under Phase 1 of the project. The plant was built with technological assistance from US-based PPG Industries, the global leaders in glass manufacturing technology. EFG’s board is currently reviewing its strategic plans to speed up expansion under Phase 2, which will significantly increase the company’s production capacity.