USA-based PPG Industries, in collaboration with joint venture partner Nan Ya Plastics Corp. of Taiwan, is to build a new 38,000/tpa fibre glass manufacturing furnace at its existing facility in Kinshan, China. The joint venture company, PFG Fiber Glass (Kunshan) Co Ltd., is a 50-50 partnership and has manufactured fibre glass in Asia since 1991. This is the second furnace to be constructed at the site, which opened in September 2003 with a single 30,000 tonnes fibre glass furnace. Building work on the new furnace is expected to begin later this year, with scheduled start up early 2006. The Kunshan plant can accommodate four furnaces, which, when combined would be capable of producing more than 120,000 tonnes. PPG said the extra capacity is being installed to serve the expanding electronics and thermoplastics industries.
