CAIRO: As the function of glass in Egypt's construction sector changes, Sphinx Glass is hoping to capitalize on the growing demand, both domestically and regionally. With its new LE 1.1 billion float glass factory, Sphinx Glass is catering to the growing demand for higher quality glass products that meet both environmental and aesthetic needs. “We are producing new types of glass that have not been developed before, [such as] tinted or colored glass, which we are promoting in Egyptian and regional markets,” Mohamed Khattab, Sphinx Glass managing director, said. “This type of glass not only adds beauty to buildings but [also] reduces energy consumed,” he added. In an interview with Daily News Egypt, Khattab was optimistic about the local glass industry and its “green” potential. “We are seeing a major shift in the Egyptian glass processing sector as demand generation coming from the domestic market as well as neighboring emerging markets could see Egypt's glass processing capacity double over the coming five years,” said Khattab. The country's annual float glass production capacity rose from 140,000 tons to its current 340,000 tons, he said, and is expected to grow to approximately 600,000 tons by year's end. Khattab sees this as “a clear indication of the [local glass] industry's desire to ramp up manufacturing capabilities and establish itself as an international player.” Making glass Sphinx Glass began production of float glass in March 2010, and is already meeting domestic needs as well as exporting to neighboring markets. “Our vision is to capture and take advantage of the resources of Egypt which is an exporter of silica sand, is well located geographically and is well equipped with regards to manpower and energy requirements for the industry,” Khattab said. He sees continued economic development in Egypt as one of the key drivers for the demand of quality glass products, while export opportunities continue to arise from previously unexplored emerging markets. According to Khattab, the company's 220,000-square-meter facility already boasts a production output of 200,000 tons per annum. Designed to support two float lines, the company can double its production capacity in the future. Established in 2008, Sphinx Glass is 51 percent owned by GlassWorks, a platform company established by private equity firm Citadel Capital and a group of co-investors. The Dubai Group holds the remaining 49 percent. The glass industry is capital intensive, he said, and the first phase of the project came at an investment cost of LE 1.1 billion. Sphinx Glass is using float glass technologies licensed from PPG Industries Inc, Khattab said. “They have been in the glass industry for a long time and are training our staff in the US, commissioning our factory, providing us with formulas and recipes for production and monitoring our products. “They are making sure that Sphinx is going to be producing glass that will meet the highest international standards and we are going have this comparative advantage when we go out there and sell our products in international markets,” Khattab added. Green glass On the local glass market, Khattab said that the function of glass has changed from its traditional use in architecture, and has become increasingly important in the design of buildings in Egypt's vibrant construction sector. Environmental concerns and conservation efforts have also upped demand in the glass processing sector, he added, as going “green” means that building materials must also have environmental benefits. With summers getting hotter, tinted or colored glass allows light to enter buildings while keeping out the heat, and architects will be inclined to use it to reduce energy costs. “This underpins the green building movement we are witnessing around the world. Today good quality glass delivers energy saving capabilities through improved climate control that is having a positive impact on environmental conservation,” Khattab said. “I think that this is something that it will take time, education and awareness about how glass is no longer just a piece of material that you can put in a window to keep out dust, and it is a way to lower Egypt's growing air conditioning needs and electricity spending and consumption,” he added. The Glass Consumption Indicator — which measures glass consumption by kilogram per capita — is 2.5-3 for Egypt compared to 17-20 for Turkey and Europe. “This shows us that there is still huge potential in Egypt,” Khattab concluded, adding that the government should support this initiative by adopting regulations and standards that drive demand for quality glass products in Egypt.
