A recent company release from AGC states that it is to close its Kingsport Plant in Tennessee. This decision has been taken, according to AGC, to improve the profitability of its photovoltaic (PV) cover glass operations.
AGC is to shut down AGC Glass North America’s Kingsport Plant in Tennessee in order to improve the profitability of its photovoltaic (PV) cover glass operations. This plant closure will cut down more than 30% of the Group’s manufacturing capacity for PV cover glass.
The global PV cover glass market has been in an over-supply situation as it was affected by slowing market growth and intensifying competition with emerging Chinese glass manufacturers. Having four manufacturing bases for PV cover glass in Asia, Europe and North America, the AGC Group needed an urgent review on its global production system for PV cover glass to reflect the current market environment.
The Kingsport Plant, which concentrates on raw glass production and fabrication for PV cover glass, is to be permanently closed this month, following the Group’s decision. In the US, the Group manufactures glass substrates for thin-film silicon solar cells and raw glass for CSP mirror at the Springhill Plant in Kansas, and the production of these products in the US will continue into the future.
AGC will continue to ensure the optimal operation of its manufacturing facilities for PV cover glass production in the world and flexibly respond to the demand situation in the US and other regions based on the production bases in Asia and Europe.