Asahi seeks to double output of Low-E glass at Thai base
Japan-based Asahi Glass Co plans to expand its solar control Low-E glass capacity in Thailand by 50 per cent.
The investment will not only enhance the efficiency of the Samut Prakan plant of AGC Flat Glass Thailand Plc, but also allow the production of higher-performance glass products starting in the first quarter of next year, Takuya Shimamura, president and CEO, said in a press release yesterday.
As the construction boom continues in Southeast Asia, improvement of energy efficiency has become one of the key issues for large buildings against the backdrop of increasing fuel imports and power shortages in recent years, while air conditioning is used to cool buildings throughout the year.
Demand is rapidly growing for solar control Low-E glass, which increases cooling efficiency and contributes to reducing energy use.
The expansion project aims to ensure a sufficient supply of the products to meet demand in Southeast Asia.
It will enable the manufacture of double silver-coated Low-E glass, besides single-silver-coated Low-E glass.
The double silver coating improves solar control performance while maintaining the level of visible light transmission, enabling "bright windows with good heat shielding performance".
With the production capacity enhancement, the company will become the first manufacturer in Southeast Asia with an integrated manufacturing process, handling from manufacturing of float glass up to the double silver coating process.
It will respond to future demand increases and the need for Low-E glass with improved solar control performance, and contribute to the energy efficiency of buildings in the region.
Asahi Glass will continue to capture the burgeoning demand of emerging countries and aim for an increase in sales under the management policy "AGC plus".
