Saint-Gobain plans unit in Bhiwadi

Architectural glass manufacturer Saint-Gobain will have its second production unit at Bhiwadi in Alwar district of Rajasthan. The new unit, which would house a multitude of manufacturing facilities similar to its World Glass Complex in Chennai, is envisaged to be Saint-Gobain’s largest in the country and one of the largest in the world.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed here on Tuesday between the Rajasthan Government and the representatives of Saint-Gobain on the Bhiwadi project, which involves an investment of Rs. 1, 000 crore in the first phase. The unit will manufacture three lakh tonnes of glass annually. The plant will be operational by the first quarter of 2010.

Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and Industries Minister Digamber Singh were present at the MoU signing function.

“The signing of MoU marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Saint-Gobain in India,” said Anand Y Mahajan, General Delegate, South Asia, of the Paris-based company, established back in 1665. “Our approach to India has been holistic. We want to be here on a long-term basis. India is a priority area for the group,” Mr. Mahajan, also the Chairman of Saint Gobain Glass India, said.

The Chennai plant, one of the largest investments in a single location globally by Saint-Gobain, has so far an investment of Rs. 1, 400 crore. Starting operations in India in 2000 with the commissioning of its first float glass plant the Saint-Gobain Group has now eight companies in operation here with an overall turnover of Rs. 2, 000 crore.

“The investment in Bhiwadi is in response to the opportunities in the Indian market in automobiles, architectural and advanced glass processing segments,” observed B. Santhanam, President, Float Glass, South Asia. Coming up in the RIICO’s (Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation) Bhiwadi industrial area, the plant will have its buildings ready in 18-21 months. The float glass facility will be commissioned by 2010.

The World Glass Complex will generate 1,000 jobs in its first phase and create employment opportunities for another 1,000 in the first ten years. “The first phase will be followed by additional investments that will enable Saint-Gobain to provide end to end solutions to the architectural, automotive and solar industries,” Mr. Santhanam said.

The Bhiwadi complex would source its raw material to the mines within Rajasthan located in the districts of Karauli, Dausa and Jodhpur. The complex would require 800 tonnes of minerals a day.