Saint-Gobain's Indian float line is expected to begin commercial production in September. The plant, in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, will have a capacity of 650 tonnes/day. built at a cost of $117m, it will depend largely on the domestic construction and automotive glass markets. However, the plan is to find export markets for 30% of production. The 125 acre site has been laid out with a view to the possibility of adding a second float line should demand support it in the future. Growth in demand for float glass in the region is currently running at between 9-11% annually. Although India possesses most of the raw materials the plant will need, initially Saint-Gobain plans to depend on imported sources, until it gains confidence in local suppliers.
