R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MARCH 9
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, on Wednesday inaugurated, – Float Glass Plant, an Integrated Windows Line and Saint-Gobain – SIPCOT Urban Forest at Saint-Gobain’s World Glass Complex at Sriperumbudur.
Having invested in Tamil Nadu for over 2 decades, Saint-Gobain is giving a thrust to the Tamil Nadu Government’s Vision of $1 Tn Economy, Housing and Green Tamil Nadu Mission.
திருப்பெரும்புதூர் செயிண்ட் கோபைன் நிறுவனத்தில் மிதவைக் கண்ணாடிப் பிரிவு, ஒருங்கிணைந்த ஜன்னல் பிரிவு, நகர்ப்புற வனம் ஆகியவற்றை இன்று தொடங்கி வைத்தேன். (1/6) pic.twitter.com/BLcACrllM8
— M.K.Stalin (@mkstalin) March 9, 2022
Set up with an investment in excess of Rs 500 crores, these facilities will provide employment to over 200 people and take the cumulative investment in the World Glass Complex to more than Rs 3,750 crores. Globally, the World Glass Complex at Sriperumbudur, continues to be the group’s single largest investment destination.
- With this Urban Forest, Saint-Gobain is committed to the Tamil Nadu Government’s “Green Tamil Nadu Mission” to increase the state’s green cover to 33%
Benoit Bazin, Chief Executive Officer, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, said, “We began our greenfield investments in the country close to two and a half decades ago. We are very positive about our economic, business and social results. As a Group, we are committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 in line with our purpose of “Making the World a Better Home”. We provide solutions that combine performance and sustainability for hot and humid climates. We will continue to innovate by developing products and solutions that are lighter, recyclable and produced using “low-carbon” materials and processes. Our experience in India has been extremely good; we have sustained high growth rates for a long period and have leadership positions in building materials (Glass & Glass Solutions, Gypsum, Mortars, Insulation and Construction Chemicals). We are today, the No.1 company in Light & Sustainable Construction in India. We strongly believe in India’s future and have consistently invested ahead of time in Capacity, Capability, Technology, Innovation and People. I am glad that with today’s investments, the World Glass Complex continues to be a shining example of the faith that we have in India and in the state of Tamil Nadu”.
B Santhanam, CEO, Saint-Gobain Asia Pacific & India Region said, “Tamil Nadu is the most urbanized state in India today, focusing on Housing, Construction & Infrastructure. This opens up huge opportunities for us as we are a leader in Light & Sustainable Construction and are well-placed to provide building solutions that combine performance and sustainability. With investments close to Rs 4,700 crores in Tamil Nadu across 15 plants in four locations, consistently exceeding the MOU investment commitments made to Tamil Nadu Government, we are well-poised to support the Government’s growth ambition.”
AR Unnikrishnan, Managing Director, Saint-Gobain India Private Limited-Glass Business said, “In the flat glass industry over the last two decades, Saint-Gobain has consistently invested in People, Processes, Technology and Innovation. Today, with 5 plants, we have over 50% of India’s float glass manufacturing capacity. 60% of our float glass investments are in Tamil Nadu in the World Glass Complex, a unique location anywhere in the world, which manufactures the entire range of products comprising Clear Glass, Tinted Glass, Mirrors, Solar Control Glass, Lacquered Glass, Advanced Glass (Insulated, Toughened and Laminated) and Security Glass (Fire-safe, Bullet and Blast Resistant). The World Glass Complex is also an export house that accounts for over 90% of value-added flat glass exports from India. The Float Glass Plant and Integrated Windows Line that are being inaugurated today, will further enhance our capacity and capability to deliver world-class products & solutions. We are thankful to SIPCOT for joining hands with us in setting up the Urban Forest to expand the Green cover of the state and showcasing this unique public-private partnership.
Float Glass Plant
The then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi laid the foundation stone of the first Float Glass Plant in January 1998 and inaugurated it in September 2000, catalyzing the growth of the Saint-Gobain group in India.
Fully Integrated Windows Line
The Integrated Windows Line at the World Glass Complex is the World’s first and Asia’s largest fully integrated facility. Spread over 10,000 sqm, it will have an annual production capability of 100,000 windows by the end of 2022.
Saint-Gobain – SIPCOT Urban Forest
Reiterating Saint-Gobain’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and preserving the natural resources, the creation of Saint-Gobain – SIPCOT Urban Forest at Sriperumbudur demonstrates the Group’s commitment to bio-diversity. Urban forests play an important role in the ecology of human habitats in many ways; providing cleaner air, conserving water table, recharging soil and providing shelter to fauna.
Close to 60,000 trees spanning over 40 resilient native species have been planted over an area of 300,000 sqft at this urban forest.
