Saint-Gobain and NSG Group Expand Together in Brazil

COURBEVOIE, France, May 25, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Saint-Gobain and NSG Group have announced the construction of a new flat glass (float) plant in Jacarei, close to Sao Paulo, in Brazil. This manufacturing facility will be the fifth float line held by Cebrace Cristal Plano Ltda, the joint-venture between Saint-Gobain Glass and the NSG Group in Brazil. The project also includes the installation of a magnetron line to produce coated glass.

The plant will have a daily output of 900 tons of flat glass to supply Brazil's construction market. It is due to come on stream in the fourth quarter of 2011. With this installation using the latest leading-edge technology, the Jacarei site, which already boasts two float lines and one laminated glass line, will be able to increase its production power by 60 per cent and become the largest glass complex on the American continent.

This new facility will enable Cebrace Cristal Plano Ltda to support the growth of the Brazilian building market and confirm its pole position in this country.

Saint-Gobain

Located in 64 countries with over 190,000 employees, Saint-Gobain, the world leader in the habitat and construction markets, designs, manufactures and distributes building materials, providing innovative solutions to meet growing demand in emerging and mature countries, for energy efficiency and for environmental protection. Saint-Gobain's Flat Glass Business produces, processes and markets glass products for three main markets: construction, transport (automotive, aeronautics, rail and industrial conveyors), and solar power. World leader for coated glass, Saint-Gobain Glass covers all the Flat Glass business's primary glass manufacturing facilities and is supported by a powerful worldwide production network comprising floats and coaters.

NSG Group

The NSG Group is one of the world's largest manufacturers of glass and glazing products for the building, automotive and specialty glass markets. Employing around 30,000 people, it has manufacturing operations in 29 countries and sales in 130, with ownership or interests in 49 float lines globally. Operating under the Pilkington brand, Building Products supplies glass for interior and exterior glazing in buildings and for Solar Energy, with Automotive serving the original equipment, replacement and specialized transport glazing markets.

    Analyst/Investor relations
    Saint-Gobain:
    Florence TRIOU-TEIXERA +33-1-47-62-45-19
    Etienne HUMBERT +33-1-47-62-30-49
    Vivien DARDEL +33-1-47-62-44-29

    Press relations
    Saint-Gobain:
    Sonia HAUSEUX +33-1-47-62-37-75
    NSG Group:
    Kazumitsu Fuji +81-3-5443-9477

SOURCE Saint-Gobain