The two major glass container plants in the UAE are both of recent construction. Both are near the major port, Jebel Ali, Dubai, making exporting a quick and easy exercise and helping them gain new markets in the Middle East and beyond. Altajir Glass was set up originally in 1996 with technical advice from Owens Brockway,. It began production in 1997 manufacturing 1.5M bottles/day and currently exports to over 60 countries. In 2005, the second phase of a major expansion investment worth $150M was completed to increase production up to 4.5M bottles/day. Increasing demand from the Middle East and particularly Europe for lightweight bottles has led the firm to expand from its original two lines to six, taking glass production to over 1000/tpd. The other major plant, Jebel Ali Container Glass produces 320/tpd and sells bottles locally, in Africa, and Asia.
