From possible closure to re-launch, concentrating on higher added value production to growing niche markets, Saint-Gobain is betting on the production pole of Pisa, where the oldest industrial installation (1889) of the Group in Italy is based. The group announced it will invest a total of Euros 93M for a new facility with production capacity of around 200,000/tpa of high performance glass. Saint-Gobain is determined to use Italy as a springboard to strengthen its competitive edge in the industry & raise the status of the Saint-Gobain Glass Italia manufacturing site to a technology centre of excellence in Europe. A new coating production line will also be set up for the transformation of basic glass into high performance products. The new plant will be operational by spring 2011 &, from Jan 2011, workers laid off in 2009 will be called back for intensive training.
