In a high profile ceremony at Dubai on 10th Jan 2013, His Excellency Dr. Rashid Ahmed Mohammed Bin Fahad, minister of UAE for Environment and Water presented the prestigious Environmental Performance Card (EPC) to Emirates Float Glass LLC in recognition of its efforts to promote greener production concepts and application of safe environmental management.

The environmental performance card initiative is one of the many initiatives at the Ministry that would support the achievement of the motto "Towards a Green Production 2021", through promoting a cleaner production concept to avoid the use of hazardous substances as much as possible, to raise the efficiency of industrial enterprises, and to the reduce emissions and waste resulting from production processes.

The assessment was conducted by technical specialists at the ministry according to EFG's commitment to environmental laws and regulations, requirements of Federal Law 24(1999) and its regulations on environmental protection and development. The assessment also included how chemicals, industrial waste and air pollutants are handled in the factory.

According to Ghassan Mashal, General Manager at EFG "the adoption of green production has already started reaping many benefits, economically and environmentally. Economically, it will reduce the cost of waste disposal operations, and will reduce production costs in terms of providing energy and raw materials. While, on the environmental scale, it will reduce the quality and quantity of pollutants, reduce risks and industrial accidents, and thus it will improve the quality of the environment which would positively affect the human life, wildlife and biodiversity".

In the concluding statement , Joy Mathews ,Director -Engineering & Projects at EFG said this award will enhance EFG's continuous efforts to reduce the carbon foot print and encourage ourselves towards achieving world class  systems  of health, safety and environment, and usage of greener  production technologies in coming years.

Marking a prominent presence at Glasstec 2012, the renowned glass exhibition held at Dusseldorf, Germany, EFG LLC displayed its wide spectrum of superior quality products including clear, tinted and pyrolytic coated Float Glass.

A biannual event that gathers world leaders in the glass industry and related stakeholders, the 2012 edition of Glasstec attracted 1,162 exhibitors and over 43,000 visitors from diverse sectors such as mechanical engineering, skilled trade, architecture, facade planning and solar energy developers. The attendees of the exhibition registered a reported 90 per cent of their visiting goals.

EFG Technical team was represented by Joy Mathews �Director Projects, Sibi Augustine � Dy.Manager Maintenance and Prasanna during The 2012 Storage Summit, presented by Tyco Fire Protection Products, which brought together leading industry professionals to discuss some of the hottest topics and trends in protecting high-pile storage commodities.

Speakers discussed the challenges and solutions to various, unique storage scenarios, as well as the codes and standards which dictate protection schemes.
 James Golinveaux, General Manager, Water Fire Suppression Products delivered the technical presentation on Advanced Storage Sprinkler Applications. The Summit held on 27th Sep 12 draw interactive discussions from various industry experts and fire protection specialists.

Emirates Float Glass (EFG), one of the UAE's largest state-of-the-art integrated float glass facility, subsidiary of Glass LLC and wholly-owned by Dubai Investments (DI) PJSC, showcased its growing international presence and portfolio of glass products and services at Glass South America 2012.

The 10th edition of the largest glass, window and hardware event in Latin America ran from 16-19 May at the Trans America Expo Centre, Sao Paolo, Brazil. Emirates Float Glass exhibited at stand no. 55 in Hall no.1.

Ghassan Mashal, General Manager, Emirates Float Glass, said, "Glass South America 2012 offered access to an important market. The event features wide-ranging exhibitor line-up and attracts a significant number of trade visitors. A high-profile gathering, Glass South America offers an excellent platform to expand our business and enter into new partnerships."

"At the event, Emirates Float Glass  showcased a wide range of high quality products, with the aim of exploring opportunities in the glass sector. EFG has been supplying premium quality float glass products used in the architectural and automotive industry segments to more than 53 countries including South America. The company has been active in this region, especially in Brazil, for more than two years and is planning to expand its activity and increase market share by enlarging its customer base. We hope the trade show will provide us with an opportunity to gain significant traction within the dynamic construction sector in South America," he added.

Glass South America attracted over 12,000 visitors from across the globe. The event is divided in two sectors - Glass South America Technology that features exhibitors displaying machinery, equipment, glass tools and supplies; and Glass South America Design, a pavilion dedicated to architectural glass, door and window hardware, film bath enclosures and other accessories.

At a press conference held on 14^th May 2012, Emirates Float Glass (EFG) unveiled Carbon Management Program, directed at the reduction of their overall carbon foot print. The first step in the program is the benchmarking of their world class manufacturing facilities spread over 320,000 Sq.Mts in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD-2), UAE. The benchmarking has demonstrated that the glass manufactured in the facility has a CO₂ emission of 553 gm CO₂ / Kg of Glass, which is one of the lowest emissions for glass manufacturing in the world. This study was based on Greenhouse Gas Protocol, a Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard from World Resource Institute (WRI) and World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD). Green Technologies has been appointed by Emirates Float Glass as Sustainability Consultant to complete the analysis.

 In reducing Emirates Float Glass (EFG) overall carbon footprint, EFG has established their raw material Extraction and Manufacturing facilities in the Middle East, to serve the Middle East market. The environmental benefits of this objective is quantified as per the U. S. Green Building Council�s LEED Rating System for New Construction, addressing the Regional procurement of materials within a 800 km radius of the project site. 

In this regard, projects which are in United Arab Emirates, Oman, and Saudi Arabia which are within 800 km from the EFG manufacturing facility in Abu Dhabi, are able to qualify and contribute for LEED points under Materials Credit MRc5: Regional Materials, as float glass produced by EFG are having 59% to 67% regional content for the projects, thus contributes to the achievement of points under MRc5.

Additional efforts by EFG to reduce their carbon footprint have resulted in the use of recycled materials in the production of the float glass, and thus contributes to LEED Materials Credit MRc4: Recycled Content. Float Glass produced by EFG contains 6.20% post consumer recycled content.

"Moreover, these efforts also resulted to minimizing the negative impacts toward the environment through reduction of manufacturing waste, energy conservation, and more significantly its environmental contribution to mitigate the effects of climate change", said Ghassan Mashal , General Manger of EFG. These endeavors demonstrate EFG's commitment to Sustainability and define its determination to make a positive contribution in its own way by setting an example of how companies can do their share in making a difference to our world. 

In the concluding statement, Joy Mathews � Director of Engineering Projects at EFG elaborated efforts of EFG in reducing the carbon footprint of the glass they produce, contributing to a more Sustainable Built Environment.

With the launch of Masdar City's The Future Build, the region's green building industry is getting a major boost. That's because, beginning March 31st 2011, architects, engineers and contractors will finally have a home-grown online database of environmentally sustainable, third party-certified and locally available construction materials in UAE .

All products and materials listed on the portal have been assessed and selected according to the same standards and criteria that Masdar City uses to build and operate.

"Since we are a supplier, there is no better platform to demonstrate the true sustainability of our product. And for specifiers working in the region and on the Masdar City development, The Future Build speeds and simplifies their work - both by helping them source materials that they can count on, and by clearly displaying the eco-benefits of each product" said Ghassan Mashal - General Manger of Emirates Float Glass(EFG ).

With leading suppliers and specifiers already relying on The Future Build, this platform is fast emerging as the preferred marketplace for listing and sourcing sustainable construction materials.

Please click on the following link to access EFG's sustainable products & services http://www.thefuturebuild.com/emirates-float-glass-llc/company.html

Emirates Float Glass participated in Hannover Messe 2011 , world's leading technology trade fair from 4-8 April .
The delegation, organized by Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) and partner organizations  including Emirates Float Glass LLC  , all looking to drive forward aggressive expansion and development plans and increase ties with Germany and other European countries.

During the five days of the trade show, we had a number of promising discussions," says Ghassan Mashal - General Manager , of the success of this year's Hannover Messe. "We more than achieved our objective to take a list of new contacts back with us and to explain visitors from all over the world to find out more about our products and services ."

His Excellency Mohammed Omar Abdullah, Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development Undersecretary, said, "This is the fourth consecutive year we have participated at Hannover Messe. Each year, we have had an increasing amount of Abu Dhabi companies who are looking to participate as the emirate's relationship with Germany grows.

DED officials Dr.Adeeb Al-Afif Director of Foreign Trade and Export Support & Mr. Adel Al Katheeri along with  Mr. Ghassan Mashal & Mr. Joy Mathews  during their visit to EFG . The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (DED) is responsible for promoting and expanding the emirates exports.

Within the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030, the target for non-oil exports is 11% of the emirates GDP and DED has chosen EFG to be a strategic partner in realizing the goals set for economic diversification in Abu Dhabi .

EFG participated in world�s most important glass trade fair Glasstech  which was held in Dusseldorf , Germany  from 28th Sep to 1st Oct 2010.

Glass industry experts, technology suppliers and customers flocked EFG pavilion during the 4 day event, opening a wide area of opportunities both in terms of business ,market penetration and  new product development.

Mr. Ghassan Mashal, General Manger of EFG said �We are extremely happy with the response and enthusiasm from our customers and stake holders during the 4 day event. We will continue to deliver our world class products and services reaching beyond the geographical boundaries�.

 �Looking at our order book levels and confidence shown by our customers, We are actively planning to expedite the expansion projects of EFG�s world class facility in the industrial city of Abu Dhabi, Mr. Mashal concluded.

Directors of Yanbu Royal Commission, Saudi Arabia visited EFG for understanding the infrastructure facilities in ICAD -2 and corporate practices in EFG.

The visit has been organized by ZONESCORP considering EFG track record as model factory in ICAD -2 in terms of operational philosophy, business practices, safety standards and social responsibility.

Mr. Ghassan Mashal, GM Emirates Float Glass LLC Receiving the CE Mark Certificate on behalf of company from Nigel Rees, CEO of the Glass and Glazing Federation.

Mr. Ghassan Mashal, General Manager Emirates Float Glass interview with Dubai EYE 103.8.

Regional glass industry leaders gather in Abu Dhabi for annual GGF meet

Meeting held at Emirates Float Glass premises will focus on the importance of adopting international quality standards and discuss emerging opportunities for the GCC glass industry

Abu Dhabi, UAE – February 10, 2010:- Top executives of leading regional glass companies and prominent industry experts will gather in Abu Dhabi today for the annual meet of the Gulf chapter of Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), the UK-based global trade association representing the glass industry.

The high-profile meeting will be held at the premises of Emirates Float Glass (EFG), a subsidiary of Glass LLC, wholly owned by Dubai Investments PJSC and the largest integrated glass processing facility in the UAE. The meeting will kick off with a welcome address by Ghassan Mashal, General Manager of Emirates Float Glass, and will feature keynote presentations by Richard Sellman, Chairman of the Insulating Glass Manufacturers Group, GGF, and Brian Waldron, Chairman of GGF Standards Committee.

“The GGF meet brings all glass processing companies in the UAE and the GCC region under one roof, and will discuss the importance of international quality standards in promoting the business growth of the regional glass industry,” said Stephen H.Rice , Director of Glazing & International affairs ,GGF-UK . “The meeting will also discuss emerging opportunities for glass companies - both in the GCC region and internationally.”

“The fact that Emirates Float Glass was entrusted to host this all-important meeting is a testament to the rapid strides the company has made since commencing commercial operations last year. It also gives EFG an opportunity to showcase its state-of the-art manufacturing facility and demonstrate its ability to meet customer demand at all times,” Mr. Ghassan Mashal added.

The GGF meet features participation from leading glass companies from around the GCC, including Glass LLC, Emirates Glass, Saudi American Glass Company, Lumiglass Industries, Al Ittihad Glass-Jordan , Zamil Glass-Saudi Arabia , Al Abbar Glass & Trading Co, Multiforms, Burhani Glass, Alumco Glass Division, Pearl Coast Glass, Qatar Glass Industries, Spectrum Glass, Cladtech International, and Petra Aluminium Co. Ltd., among others.

Emirates Float Glass is a world-class glass manufacturing facility located on a 320,000 square meter plot in the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi. Built with technological assistance from US-based PPG Industries, the global leaders in glass manufacturing technology, EFG has the capacity to produce 180,000 tons of clear, tinted and pyrolytic coated glass products annually. Currently, EFG supplies glass products to 20 countries worldwide in addition to meeting local demand.

Glass and Glazing Federation is a London-based trade association representing companies who make, supply or fit glass and glass-related products. This includes float glass, energy-efficient windows, doors, conservatories, and all aspects of glass including double glazed units, safety glazing, fire resistant glass, emergency glazing, decorative, glass, secondary glazing, and solar control applied films and sealants.

Emirates Float Glass will manufacture products that will cater to   the needs of architectural, automotive and other segments in glass, and   has an annual capacity of about 160,000 tons of glass products. Located   at the Industrial City of Abu Dhabi, the daily production capacity of   the state-of-the-art manufacturing plant is 600 tons of glass. "Glass   LLC, the holding company for Emirates Float Glass, has business   interests in several Middle Eastern countries, and is furthering plans   for Greenfield/Brownfield ventures to cement its position as largest   player in the segment.

We have been receiving tremendous   interest and support from shareholders and partners as we pursue our   goals, and are confident that our current and future projects will be   completed on time and within the budget. We aim to offer excellent   product range and quality, coupled with top-notch service to our   customers, ensuring value for money, in a highly demanding market   place," Dowling concluded.