AAG expands range with introduction of coated glass line with STOPRAY technology

Dubai, United Arab Emirates (13 November 2005): To provide a fully comprehensive offering of processed glass products for its ever-widening customer base, Al Abbar Architectural Glass (AAG) has announced plans to expand its UAE-based operation through the introduction of an 18-cathode glass coating line with a capacity of approximately 2,000,000m2 per annum. The move will help maintain Al Abbar's position as a leader in the region's glass industry.

The original Glaverbel equipment will produce magnetron-sputtered coated glass, using a vacuum electromagnetic process.

Marketed by Al Abbar Architectural Glass under the trade names COOLRAY, COOLPANE & e-COOL, the coated glass will be offered in a highly selective range of top performance low emissivity (low-e) coating types and a diverse but selective solar control range.

The coating line is due to be installed by the end of the year; with commissioning and testing scheduled for January 2006.
Commenting on the latest investment, Rashid Al Abbar, chairman of the Al Abbar Group said: "I am really proud to be able to make the unique Glaverbel Stopray coatings available in our region and to give the customers a top quality solar control coating together with fast delivery times. We look forward to offer this highly sophisticated coated glass range to existing and new customers, complementing our existing comprehensive heat-treated, laminated, curved, insulating, and screen printed product range - with the efficient service they have come to expect from Al Abbar Architectural Glass."

"We are happy to conclude this agreement with a long time partner of Glaverbel and I am fully confident of the ability of Al Abbar to brightly establish the Glaverbel Stopray technology in the Middle East," said, Mr. Jean-Luc Batkin, Glaverbel's vice president, processed glass, commenting on the agreement.