Page 113 - Glass-Technology International no. 4-2019

to meet the increasing de-
mand of flat glass products SOUTH AFRICA - FLOAT GLASS IMPORTS
in the country. Guardian
Engineers were responsible Import Volumes (in tonnes) 2014 2015 2016 2017
for the construction, which 3 mm thickness 9,526 13,682 12,476 13,102
started in October 2005, 4 mm thickness 8,978 14,608 26,164 29,253
with Teco as the other ma- 5 mm thickness 1,853 1,624 2,676 3,107
jor contractor for the plant. 6 mm and more 2,224 3,608 2,169 3,039
PFG inaugurated this float Total 22,581 33,522 43,485 48,501
glass line in the year 2007.
PG Group initially consid- Source: International Trade Administration Commission of South Africa
ered building the second
float line in Mozambique
because of energy incen- on capital equipment to to appropriate authorities
tives there, but then decided ensure that our products to impose anti- dumping
to maximise its investment meet every international duty on flat glass imports
in Springs, where it has standard,” according to from Saudi Arabia and
existing infrastructure and PG Group chairperson United Arab Emirates.
which is close to its major Ronnie Lubner. In January 2018, South
market. The company uses Africa re-imposed anti-
natural gas delivered from RISING IMPORTS dumping duties on flat
Mozambique through the OF FLAT GLASS glass imports from Indo-
Sasol gas line. PRODUCTS nesia after a sun set review
“The plant will continue to Imports of flat glass prod- of existing anti-dumping
supply the country’s needs ucts has been rising in duties on flat glass imports
for glass as a strategic item South Africa during last from Indonesia into South
to the country’s develop- five years. China, Indone- Africa.
ment. Without glass manu- sia, Saudi Arabia and Unit- Similarly, South Africa had
facture in South Africa, the ed Arab Emirates are lead- imposed anti-dumping du-
building and motor industry ing exporters of flat glass ties on flat glass imports
would not exist as efficient- products in the country. from China and India in
ly as they do, and we have In 2018, PFG Building the year 2015.
spent large sums of money Glass moved an application
AUTOMOTIVE GLASS
Automotive glass is an
important demand driver
for flat glass industry in
South Africa. The auto-
motive sector in South
Africa is the mainstay of
the national industrial
base and accounts for 6.9
per cent of GDP (4.4 per
cent manufacturing and
2.5 per cent retail). South
Africa’s vehicle produc-
tion is expected to expand
by 6.2 per cent in 2019,
to roughly 648,000 units,
compared with 2018, says

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