Asahi Glass Co. (AGC) of Japan, one of the world“s major suppliers of glass substrates, has reportedly decided to invest an additional TWD 12 billion to build the firm“s sixth glass furnace on the i…
Asahi Glass Co. (AGC) of Japan, one of the world“s major suppliers of glass substrates, has reportedly decided to invest an additional TWD 12 billion to build the firm“s sixth glass furnace on the island. AGC is scheduled to begin construction of the glass furnace in Taiwan on 8 August 2008 with completion of the new facility set for early 2009 to meet increasing demand from the new 8.5th-generation (8.5G) plants of the top two Taiwanese panel suppliers, AU Optronics Corp. (AUO) and Chi Mei Optoelectronics Corp. (CMO). Kazuhiko Ishimura, president and chief operating officer (COO) of AGC, recently called upon Yiin Chii-ming, minister for Economic Affairs (MOEA) of Taiwan, and reiterated that AGC has not changed its policy of expanding investment on the island. According to Mr. Ishimura, AGC“s first-stage plan is to increase the number of local glass furnaces from four to six, with later plans to include raising the number to 10. When AGC completes its tenth glass furnace in Taiwan, the island will be the Japanese company“s largest production base in Asia. Currently, all of AGC“s existing four furnaces are located in the Yunlin Technology Industrial Park in central Taiwan. AGC“s fifth furnace is expected to come online in June 2009, matching AUO and CMO“s new plant completion dates to meet a future demand peak from the electronics industry. The fifth furnace will raise AGC“s total capacity by 20%. Some government officials said AGC is evaluating a new industrial park in Chiayi City and the Chunghua Coastal Industrial Park, and would decide on the location for the new furnace shortly.