The UAE's glass industry is one that is breaking into international markets. With so many projects currently under construction in the UAE as well as in the GCC & Middle East, experts have said that the glass industry is one that is set to witness unprecedented growth. Steve Lipscombe, Vice-Chairman of the GGF for MENA region, said the size of the industrys market has changed from what it was 20 years ago. "You didn't have a local industry. You had local processing in a small way in the beginning & there was no float here," he said. "Now its turned. Weve got a secure supply chain locally." However, the local market is no longer just supplying indigenous needs, but has expanded into the international supply chain. "A large percentage of the float products that are manufactured here are already aimed for the outside market. Some of the biggest buildings in London have glass that has been manufactured in the Gulf. Glass has been exported to London," said Steve Rice, Director of the GGF Mena region. There is currently one float plant in Ras Al Khaimah & another in Abu Dhabi, with each plant producing 600/tpd, said Lipscombe. This brings the industry to a capacity of 1,200/tpd. "Every piece of it is sold before the sand is boiled," he said. With so much glass being produced & used locally, much is needed to be done for the safety of the people around it. The GGF has been pushing for the implementation of safety rules & regulations for the glass industry in the UAE, Rice said. "Safety we see as a big issue," he said.
