Saint-Gobain Unveils 3 New Facilities with Over INR 500 Crore Investment

Chennai, Tamil Nadu – Saint-Gobain unveils three facilities at its World Glass Complex in Sriperumbudur, with an investment of more than INR 500 crore. Thiru MK Stalin, Honorable Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, inaugurated recently - Float Glass Plant, an Integrated Windows Line, and Saint-Gobain – SIPCOT Urban Forest at Saint-World Gobain’s Glass Complex, in the presence of Benoit Bazin, CEO, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, and B Santhanam, CEO, Asia Pacific & India Region, Saint-Gobain.

The company, which has been investing in Tamil Nadu for over two decades, is supporting the Tamil Nadu Government’s vision of a $1 trillion Economy, Housing and Green Tamil Nadu Mission. The new facilities will employ over 200 people and bring the cumulative investment in the World Glass Complex to more than INR 3,750 crore. The World Glass Complex in Sriperumbudur remains the group’s single largest investment destination on a global scale.

Among the investments made at the World Glass Complex are

Float Glass Plant: The Float Glass Plant exhibits capacity, capability, technology, and state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 features. Reflecting the group’s vision of being the reference for Light and Sustainable Construction, this plant is slated to meet the emerging needs of Architectural, Automotive (including Electric Vehicles), and Solar applications, contributing to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M K Stalin’s US$ 1 trillion economy vision.
Fully Integrated Windows Line: The World Glass Complex’s Integrated Windows Line is the world’s first and Asia’s largest fully integrated facility. Spread across 10,000 sq mt, it will have an annual production capability of 1,00,000 windows by the end of 2022. The fully digitized and automated plant is supported by best-in-class innovation, research, and testing to provide the most comprehensive portfolio of UPVC Window products focusing on the evolving needs of Acoustics, Solar/Thermal Comfort, and Security. This integrated windows line is in line with the Tamil Nadu Government’s emphasis on housing.

Bazin said, “We began our greenfield investments in the country close to two and a half decades ago. We are very positive about our economic, business, and social results. As a Group, we are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with our purpose of ‘Making the World a Better Home’.”

The Compagnie de Saint-Gobain CEO stated that the company provides solutions that combine performance and sustainability for hot and humid climates and will continue to innovate by developing products and solutions that are lighter, recyclable, and produced using ‘low-carbon’ materials and processes. He further commented, “Our experience in India has been extremely good; we have sustained high growth rates for a long period and have leadership positions in building materials (Glass & Glass Solutions, Gypsum, Mortars, Insulation, and Construction Chemicals). We strongly believe in India’s future and have consistently invested ahead of time in Capacity, Capability, Technology, Innovation, and People. I am glad that, with today’s investments, the World Glass Complex continues to be a shining example of the faith that we have in India and in the state of Tamil Nadu.”

Emphasizing that Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state in India today, Santhanam asserted, “This opens up huge opportunities for us as we are a leader in Light & Sustainable Construction and are well-placed to provide building solutions that combine performance and sustainability. With investments close to INR 4,700 crore in Tamil Nadu across 15 plants in four locations, consistently exceeding the MOU investment commitments made to Tamil Nadu Government, we are well-poised to support the Government’s growth ambition.”

Thanking SIPCOT for joining hands in setting up the Urban Forest to expand the state’s Green cover and showcase a unique public-private partnership, as well as stating that the newly inaugurated facilities will further enhance the company’s capacity and capability to deliver world-class products and solutions, A R Unnikrishnan, Managing Director, Saint-Gobain India Pvt Ltd, Glass Business, underscored, “In the flat glass industry over the last two decades, Saint-Gobain has consistently invested in People, Processes, Technology, and Innovation. Today, with 5 plants, we have over 50 percent of India’s float glass manufacturing capacity. 60 percent of our float glass investments are in Tamil Nadu in the World Glass Complex, a unique location anywhere in the world, which manufactures the entire range of products comprising Clear Glass, Tinted Glass, Mirrors, Solar Control Glass, Lacquered Glass, Advanced Glass (Insulated, Toughened, and Laminated), and Security Glass (Fire-safe, Bullet, and Blast Resistant). The World Glass Complex is also an export house that accounts for over 90 percent of value-added flat glass exports from India.”

Image Source: Saint-Gobain