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European manufacturers of flat glass
Flat glass manufacture and float glass in particular is a very capital-intensive activity requiring substantial financial resources, long-term investments and highly technical skills. For this reason, there are a limited number of large size international manufacturers. Smaller producers do exist although they are not common. In fact, only 9 companies operate float glass production facilities in the European Union or candidate countries.
The main manufacturers of flat glass in Europe are the four members of Glass for Europe and its cooperation partner. Together, these companies account for a significant proportion of the European market and run 56 of the 66 float lines of the European Union and candidate countries, Turkey for instance.
Float tanks in the European Union and candidate countries in 2009
|
Company |
Number of Tanks |
Locations |
| Saint-Gobain | 17 | Germany, France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Portugal, United Kingdom, Poland, Romania |
| AGC Glass Europe | 13 | Belgium, France, Italy, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain |
| NSG-Group | 11 | Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, Sweden, Poland |
| Guardian | 8 | Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, United Kingdom, Hungary, Poland |
| Sisecam | 7 | Bulgaria, Turkey |
| Euroglas | 4 | Germany, France, Poland |
| Manfredonia Vetro/Sangalli | 1 | Italy |
| Interpane | 1 | France |
| Interpane/Scheuten* | 1 | Germany |
| AGC Glass Europe/Scheuten* | 1 | Belgium |
| Saint-Gobain/NSG* | 1 | Italy |
| GES | 1 | Romania |
| Total | 66 |
* Joint Ventures
European Float Lines
Source: NSG Group
