Interpane Launch New Coating Plant

Interpane Glass Coating France, the French joint venture of German flat glass maker Interpane, and UK glass group Pilkington, will commence operation of a new glass coating plant at Freyming Merlebach in eastern France in April 2005. Work has already begun on the new plant, estimated to be costing around EUR 20M. The plant will have an annual production capacity of five million square metres. The company is to recruit 20 employees, some of whom are already in training, mainly at its German sites. Interpane and Pilkington will share production at the site. Interpane holds 51% of the joint venture, with Pilkington holding the remainder.