John Towers, Editor of Glass International says rising prices of refractories and fuel are bad news for glassmakers, trying to compete with other materials. But with some experts suggesting that rising oil prices could hit PET harder, the omens are not all bad. PET, of course, uses oil as one of its main raw materials. Having said that, the refractory problem is starting to spread its influence. Such has been the tremendous rate of building new float glass factories in China, with more than 30 lines being built at present and each requiring plenty of specialist refractories, that delivery times for fused-cast AZS refractories have been quoted recently in terms of more than a year! Delays like this are starting to halt projects in other countries and in other branches of glassmaking. Demand for hot repairs could be the beneficiary.
