Guardian Glass plans Egypt expansion to roll out energy-saving coating across Africa

Guardian Glass is planning to expand its operations in Egypt and introduce a new glass-coating technology that can cut building electricity consumption by as much as 40 per cent, Egyptian investment authority said Thursday.

According to Egypt’s General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI), the expansion would include boosting local coating capacity and producing Low-E glass designed to improve thermal insulation while preserving natural daylight.

The announcement followed talks between GAFI Chief Executive Mohamed El Gawsaky and company executives. The rollout, expected by June, would mark the technology’s first launch in Africa, with exports targeted at markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

The discussions come as the Ministry of Investment and Foreign Trade steps up efforts to position the country as a regional manufacturing and export base. Egypt has been courting foreign investors with infrastructure upgrades, streamlined procedures and trade agreements that provide access to global markets.

Jean Ries, Guardian’s Director Government and Public Affairs for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, said Egypt’s improving business climate and strategic location make it an attractive base for expansion, citing access to African markets through regional trade arrangements and a competitive local workforce.

El Gawsaky said the company could benefit from Egypt’s plans to establish logistics zones in six African countries — Morocco, Ivory Coast, Tanzania, Congo, Kenya and South Africa — to support exports. He added that shipments to African markets are projected to grow at double-digit rates in the coming years.

Egypt has reduced customs clearance times to 5.8 days from about 15.8 days previously, cutting shipping costs by roughly $1.5 billion for companies, according to GAFI. The government has also invested heavily in roads, ports and related infrastructure to support trade and industrial expansion.

The planned technology rollout underscores Egypt’s push to integrate local industries into global value chains while promoting energy efficiency in the construction sector.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English