Pilkington & Interpane are to form a joint venture to construct what is claimed to be the world's first integrated float glass manufacturing, laminating & coating plant in France at an estimated cost of around £100m. Further to a previous item published in Glass (November 1999), the jointly-owned & operated plant, to be built at Freyming-Merlebach, replaces two separate projects for plants, which the two companies announced independently last year. The size of the plant will be increased to accommodate the needs of both companies, with economies of scale. It will ensure efficient supply of high quality glass for the companies' processing & transformation facilities in France & Germany. Pilkington will build & operate the float and laminating lines while Interpane will build & run the coating line, which is due for completion late 2001 or early 2002.
