[🇧🇩] Glass and Glassware Industry in Bangladesh

[Bilal9]

Source : https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/industry/php-plans-invest-tk500cr-three-new-products-743334

PHP Glass plans to invest Tk500cr in three new products​

PHP identifies 10,000 furniture producers across the country​

Infograph: TBS

PHP Float Glass Industries Limited, one of the leading glass manufacturers in the country, is set to invest Tk500 crore to introduce three new products – bending glass, fibreglass net, and aluminium ladders.

As part of such expansion, PHP Float Glass Industries is establishing three new plants at its factory area in Barabkunda, Chattogram.

Before deciding on this new investment, the company conducted market research and identified 10,000 furniture producers across the country with demand for the three products.

For bending glass, used in furniture such as tea tables, PHP plans to establish a plant with a monthly capacity of producing 30,000-50,000 square feet, targeting small furniture producers.

The move aims to reduce import dependence and reduce cost by 6-7 times. Despite a capacity exceeding the current demand of 5,000-10,000 sq-ft, PHP will produce according to demand and adapt production as needed.

Mohammed Amir Hossain, managing director of PHP Float Glass Industries, told The Business Standard that the company is gearing up for commercial production of bending glass within the next four-six months. The PHP authorities have already initiated the process by opening a letter of credit to import the necessary machinery.

For fibreglass net production, the company plans to set up a new unit with a 100-tonne capacity, with plans to expand based on future demand.

Amir Hossain said they will use Chinese technology for fibreglass nets. He emphasised the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of this product compared to traditional materials like MS (Mild Steel) or SS (Stainless Steel) nets, highlighting its resistance to rust and affordability.

The product will serve as a mosquito barrier net for windows and as mosquito nets.

Company officials noted that due to the increase in dengue fever cases this year, mosquito net prices have increased and they expect that domestic production will result in a product that is at least 10 times more affordable.

In addition, PHP Float Glass Industries will establish a production unit for aluminium ladders. Several local ladder manufacturers already source their raw materials from PHP.

Amir Hossain said PHP was already supplying aluminium to ladder manufacturers. Therefore, they see a strategic advantage in setting up a dedicated unit for the production of aluminium ladders, given the ready availability of raw materials.

"In 2005, introducing commercially produced glass was a challenge. We successfully created a glass market, and we anticipate a similar adoption of the new product as the country's economy continues to grow," he said.

Expansion of PHP Float Glass Industries

PHP Float Glass Industries was established in 2004 in Chattogram with an investment of around Tk1,500 crore on 24.27 acres of land. The company has the capacity to meet 40% of the country's demand for float glass.

In 2005, PHP exported its first glass from Bangladesh. In 2008, the company built a high-quality silver mirror plant with a single-shift capacity of 700,000 square metres of silver-coated mirror.

In 2010, PHP established an aluminium factory with a manufacturing capacity of 800 tonnes per month. PHP is the only company in Bangladesh that delivers glass and aluminium products under the same roof. The glass is produced through sputtering coating technology on fourth-generation industrial machinery.

In 2012, PHP installed a glass processing plant and began producing tempered glass.

In 2021, the company started producing 10 different varieties of reflecting glass, covering 50% of the overall market demand.

Prior to this, only two types of reflective glass – dark blue and dark green – were available in Bangladesh.

In 2021, PHP also introduced insulating glass or soundproof glass.

In February 2023, PHP introduced another product – a glass door with at least 51 stunning designs.

Daily glass consumption in Bangladesh is currently 800-1,000 tonnes, expected to increase to 2,000-2,500 tonnes in four to five years.

In 2019, PHP Float Glass Industries upgraded its production capacity for clear glass to 300 tonnes per day from 150 tonnes per day.

It also exports an average of 800 tonnes per month to India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and the Philippines.

Furthermore, PHP has been operating a 500-ton production capacity aluminium factory with a product profile of at least 350 designs, while the country's monthly demand is 4,000-5,000 tonnes.

Mohammed Amir Hossain said, "Glass consumption is closely tied to economic development. As an optimist, PHP launched four new products post-Covid-19, believing in Bangladesh's progress. Together, we're dedicated to the growth of our nation."

 

[Saif]

AkijBashir set to enter glass market, invests Tk 2,200cr

Akij Glass Industries, a concern of the group, has invested around Tk 2,200 crore to set up a factory on over 125 acres of land in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj, some 114 kilometres east of capital Dhaka.

www.thedailystar.net

AkijBashir set to enter glass market, invests Tk 2,200cr

AkijBashir Group is set to soon offer different types of high-end glass used in construction, seeking to grab a share of rising sales amounting to around Tk 2,600 crore annually.

Akij Glass Industries, a concern of the group, has invested around Tk 2,200 crore to set up a factory on over 125 acres of land in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj, some 114 kilometres east of capital Dhaka.

"We already completed establishing the factory and trial production will start soon," said Abu Jubaid Mohammad Rassel, deputy general manager (marketing) of Akij Glass Industries.

A major part of the investment, which includes the price paid for purchasing the land, came from some local banks and financial institutions that found the initiative to be commercially viable, he said while talking to The Daily Star last week.

He said they have set a target to start marketing the products, categorised by safety, thermal performance and visual appearance, from the first week of July.

Initially, high-end float glass will be manufactured and the production capacity will be 600 tonnes per day, Rassel added.

The company has mobilised sophisticated machinery and equipment from Europe to ensure quality in the manufacturing process, he said.

The basic raw material to be used is sand, which is available in Bangladesh, while other chemicals and ingredients need to be imported, he said.

According to Rassel, the factory will directly employ around 1,000 people.

Referring to their market assessment, he said 5.15 lakh tonnes of glass was used in construction in Bangladesh every year and the amount has been growing by 15 percent on an average over the past decade due to rapid urbanisation.

Still, around 1.5 tonnes of high-end glass need to be imported from China and Indonesia, he said.

So, there is a scope to avail a share of the high-end glass market, he added.

Industry insiders believe the country annually consumes around 3.5 lakh tonnes of glass, including float, reflective and soundproof ones, leading to market sales of no less than Tk 2,600 crore if present prices are considered.

To read the rest of the news, please click on the link above.​

 

[Saif]

Expanding into glass production was a logical step

To meet the rising demand for basic and high-quality glass in Bangladesh’s construction sector, AkijBashir Group recently began production at a sprawling plant in Habiganj’s Madhabpur upazila, placing emphasis on more transparent and pure products to position itself as a key player in the...

www.thedailystar.net

Expanding into glass production was a logical step
AkijBashir Group Managing Director Sk Bashir Uddin says

The interior of AkijBashir Group’s glass-manufacturing factory, located in Habiganj’s Madhabpur, features impressive technologies to enhance product quality, including an online scanner that checks panes for impurities like bubbles or stones. Photo: Collected

To meet the rising demand for basic and high-quality glass in Bangladesh's construction sector, AkijBashir Group recently began production at a sprawling plant in Habiganj's Madhabpur upazila, placing emphasis on more transparent and pure products to position itself as a key player in the rapidly growing market.

"The building materials market has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades, driven by increased purchasing power and a significant portion of remittances from migrant workers being spent on home improvements," Sk Bashir Uddin, managing director of AkijBashir Group, told The Daily Star in an interview.

As traditional earthen houses and tin-roofed homes evolved into concrete structures over time, glass became an essential component of modern construction.

There has been a surge in demand for basic glass products like float glass for windows, as well as advanced technical glass for large-scale infrastructure projects such as shopping malls, hospitals, and corporate offices.

Sk Bashir Uddin

"We have taken all these factors into account before selecting our projects," he said.

"We focused on producing traditional window glass and made significant strides in increasing transparency and quality by refining our raw materials and streamlining production processes."

Bashir Uddin added that venturing into the glass industry was a natural progression for the Akij Group, which already offered several products in the building materials sector, including cement, ceramics, and sanitary ware.

"Expanding into glass production was a logical step towards our vision of becoming a complete home solutions company,"

Subsequently, following his exit from Akij Group, which he led as managing director for over one and half decades, and the formation of the AkijBashir Group as part of the family settlement, the glass business became part of his portfolio under AkijBashir Group.

AkijBashir Group is also actively involved in manufacturing ceramics, sanitary ware and particle boards.

He added that their products, which launched in September this year, were poised to raise standards.

"We believe our glass products have achieved the highest level of transparency available in the market. At the same time, we are steadily introducing the necessary technical features to meet both the functional and aesthetic demands for high-end glass products."

Asked what distinguishes Akij Glass from competitors, he said that apart from a commitment to innovation, their sustainability efforts and eco-friendly initiatives ensure that the highest environmental standards are met while delivering products.

"When we planned this project, we prioritised environmental responsibility. Currently, up to 71 percent of our electricity consumption comes from renewable energy sources. The goal is to reach 100 percent over time," he said.

"Achieving this requires significant investment and meticulous planning; it cannot happen by chance."

"Glass production is highly energy-intensive, but we have managed to balance energy efficiency with uncompromised functionality. Our financial partner, IDCOL (Infrastructure Development Company Limited), has been immensely supportive in completing this initiative."

He also emphasised that their products would be free from defects like bubbles and stones.

"We are the only company in the country to have installed an online scanner, ensuring that every product is digitally scanned for quality. This allows us to maintain precise dimensions and superior flatness."

He proudly claimed that Akij is the only company in the country producing glass with a 700 ppm (parts per million) rating, resulting in clearer and higher-quality glass products.

"While some competitors claim to produce 700 ppm glass, it's simply not true. This will become glaringly obvious when you compare our glass side by side with theirs. The difference is like day and night."

Asked about why he chose Madhabpur as the location for the facility, he explained: "It was due to the proximity of raw materials and natural resources. Sylhet offers relatively uninterrupted gas supplies and essential materials like sand and gas are close by. However, there are other crucial chemical components involved."

The project, which currently employs over 1,000 people, faced significant cost increases due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the taka's slide against the US dollar, ultimately reaching Tk 2,000 crore.

He also confirmed that the company was preparing for international markets.

"When production exceeds domestic demand, we must explore foreign markets. We need to keep the plant operational; stopping glass production isn't an option."

When asked about handling technically complex ventures within his portfolio, he credited the legacy of Akij Group, which has thrived for over 70 years.

"Innovation has always been at the core of Akij's success. Personally, I was trained by my father, who was constantly pushing for excellence and innovation across industries."

Industry insiders say that around 3.5 lakh tonnes of glass is consumed annually in Bangladesh, including float, reflective and soundproof variants.​

 

[Bilal9]

Expanding into glass production was a logical step

To meet the rising demand for basic and high-quality glass in Bangladesh’s construction sector, AkijBashir Group recently began production at a sprawling plant in Habiganj’s Madhabpur upazila, placing emphasis on more transparent and pure products to position itself as a key player in the...

www.thedailystar.net

Expanding into glass production was a logical step
AkijBashir Group Managing Director Sk Bashir Uddin says

View attachment 9088
The interior of AkijBashir Group’s glass-manufacturing factory, located in Habiganj’s Madhabpur, features impressive technologies to enhance product quality, including an online scanner that checks panes for impurities like bubbles or stones. Photo: Collected

To meet the rising demand for basic and high-quality glass in Bangladesh's construction sector, AkijBashir Group recently began production at a sprawling plant in Habiganj's Madhabpur upazila, placing emphasis on more transparent and pure products to position itself as a key player in the rapidly growing market.

"The building materials market has experienced tremendous growth over the past two decades, driven by increased purchasing power and a significant portion of remittances from migrant workers being spent on home improvements," Sk Bashir Uddin, managing director of AkijBashir Group, told The Daily Star in an interview.

As traditional earthen houses and tin-roofed homes evolved into concrete structures over time, glass became an essential component of modern construction.

There has been a surge in demand for basic glass products like float glass for windows, as well as advanced technical glass for large-scale infrastructure projects such as shopping malls, hospitals, and corporate offices.

View attachment 9089
Sk Bashir Uddin

"We have taken all these factors into account before selecting our projects," he said.

"We focused on producing traditional window glass and made significant strides in increasing transparency and quality by refining our raw materials and streamlining production processes."

Bashir Uddin added that venturing into the glass industry was a natural progression for the Akij Group, which already offered several products in the building materials sector, including cement, ceramics, and sanitary ware.

"Expanding into glass production was a logical step towards our vision of becoming a complete home solutions company,"

Subsequently, following his exit from Akij Group, which he led as managing director for over one and half decades, and the formation of the AkijBashir Group as part of the family settlement, the glass business became part of his portfolio under AkijBashir Group.

AkijBashir Group is also actively involved in manufacturing ceramics, sanitary ware and particle boards.

He added that their products, which launched in September this year, were poised to raise standards.

"We believe our glass products have achieved the highest level of transparency available in the market. At the same time, we are steadily introducing the necessary technical features to meet both the functional and aesthetic demands for high-end glass products."

Asked what distinguishes Akij Glass from competitors, he said that apart from a commitment to innovation, their sustainability efforts and eco-friendly initiatives ensure that the highest environmental standards are met while delivering products.

"When we planned this project, we prioritised environmental responsibility. Currently, up to 71 percent of our electricity consumption comes from renewable energy sources. The goal is to reach 100 percent over time," he said.

"Achieving this requires significant investment and meticulous planning; it cannot happen by chance."

"Glass production is highly energy-intensive, but we have managed to balance energy efficiency with uncompromised functionality. Our financial partner, IDCOL (Infrastructure Development Company Limited), has been immensely supportive in completing this initiative."

He also emphasised that their products would be free from defects like bubbles and stones.

"We are the only company in the country to have installed an online scanner, ensuring that every product is digitally scanned for quality. This allows us to maintain precise dimensions and superior flatness."

He proudly claimed that Akij is the only company in the country producing glass with a 700 ppm (parts per million) rating, resulting in clearer and higher-quality glass products.

"While some competitors claim to produce 700 ppm glass, it's simply not true. This will become glaringly obvious when you compare our glass side by side with theirs. The difference is like day and night."

Asked about why he chose Madhabpur as the location for the facility, he explained: "It was due to the proximity of raw materials and natural resources. Sylhet offers relatively uninterrupted gas supplies and essential materials like sand and gas are close by. However, there are other crucial chemical components involved."

The project, which currently employs over 1,000 people, faced significant cost increases due to delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and the taka's slide against the US dollar, ultimately reaching Tk 2,000 crore.

He also confirmed that the company was preparing for international markets.

"When production exceeds domestic demand, we must explore foreign markets. We need to keep the plant operational; stopping glass production isn't an option."

When asked about handling technically complex ventures within his portfolio, he credited the legacy of Akij Group, which has thrived for over 70 years.

"Innovation has always been at the core of Akij's success. Personally, I was trained by my father, who was constantly pushing for excellence and innovation across industries."

Industry insiders say that around 3.5 lakh tonnes of glass is consumed annually in Bangladesh, including float, reflective and soundproof variants.​

I can personally attest to high quality sheet glass from AkijBashir group.

Their glass sheets have minimal dust inclusions and hold flatness rating within much closer parameters than other glass sheet mfrs. in Bangladesh and of course - stuff manufactured in India next door. I have seen this myself.