UAE glass industry sees huge growth

It is also one of the best man-made products which can be used several times without losing its quality and special glass minimises airconditioning costs and conserves energy.

Emirates Glass, LLC (EGL) established in 1998 at Al Quoz is one of the most reliable partner of the construction industry. The Emirates Glass facility produces architectural high-performance glass. Last year, the company was awarded contracts to supply glass from Emaar properties. It won contracts to supply 68,000 sq mts of its top quality EmiCool range to five major projects in Dubai.

According to Jerry Dowling, general manager of Emirates Glass, "EmiCool range has been extremely well received in the discerning market place is because it offers superb natural reflection and vision. The high performance glass enhances ambience and creates a wonderful feeling of space. The Dubai Marina, Mina A Salam at Madinat Jumeirah, the Green Community, Emaar Properties are just a few examples of where our EmiCool range is being used.''

Recently, the company has entered the retail-housing sector with an objective to win around 25 per cent of the domestic market and also increased its marketing and promotional efforts to raise regional awareness among users about its innovative products. The company recently took part in premium industry exhibitions in Lebanon and Qatar as well as participated in the Airport Build & Supply Exhibition held last month in Dubai.

According to sources, EGL supplied high performance monolithic glass and insulated glazed units for Dubai International Airport. The company, a subsidiary of Dubai Investment PJSC is fast becoming a preferred supplier for local projects in the UAE. EGL will also provide EmiCool Super E2 glass for The Gate - the entrance of the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC).

Apart from the Emirates Glass company, one more glass company, Excel Glass has a plant at Al Quoz for toughening, double glazing and structural binding jobs for other glass companies and building contractors. As per media reports, this plant has recorded growth annually and there is huge demands from the construction industry which include, residential villas and Diamond and Jewellery park on Shaikh Zayed Road.

One more reason for growth in the glass industry is that the major population in the UAE is prefering glass to hold foods and beverages for hygienic reasons and to protect the environment against plastic bottles, according to an environmentalist. One reputed glass company, Altajir Glass Industries last year went for a major expansion of its glass bottle production unit in Jebel Ali Industrial Zone in phases.

According to statistics, the UAE market for glass bottles accounts for about $10 million, while the AGCC market accounts for $75 billion. Moreover, bottled drinks, juices and other beverages are prefered in glass bottles and Altajir makes glass for the local market and for export as well as buy back and recycle whatever glass is collected and brought to them. Glass containers can be reused for many purposes and when a glass container is crushed, it virtually returns to its natural state and is easily converted into a new container.

Another glass company, Zamil Glass Industries (ZGI) producing architectural glass and serving the AGCC region and Saudi Arabia, last September started the production of a new range of security glass after introducing laminated glass production technology at its factory at Damam First Industrial City. According to the general manager of ZGI, "Lam-Lite is a composite glass comprising at least two glass lites and one or more interlayers of tough PVB (poly-vinyl-butyral).Architects, Consultants and Aluminium fabricators have the option of getting a full range of laminated safety and security glass with an expanded choice in durable glazing materials suitable for Gulf countries. At the same time, it offers a growing demand for enhancing industrial , business and residential security. ''