Pilkington jumped 7 1/2 to 120 3/4 p on Tuesday after the glass maker unveiled the world“s first “self-cleaning” glass at a meeting of City analysts.
The “Activ” self-cleaning glass, which the compa…
Pilkington jumped 7 1/2 to 120 3/4 p on Tuesday after the glass maker unveiled the world“s first “self-cleaning” glass at a meeting of City analysts. The “Activ” self-cleaning glass, which the company reckons could boost sales by up to 300 million a year, has a proprietary dual action coating that reacts to sunlight and rain to wash away dirt particles over the life of the product. The company“s estimated sales of Activ is based only on use for exterior windows on residential buildings, although analysts said the glass could also be used for car windscreens. Pilkington reported group turnover of 2.7 billion in 2000. Stephen Rawlinson, at Peel Hunt, who attended the briefing, said: “I was uncertain when the announcement came on the screen this morning, but having been to the presentation I think it could be great winner for the company. The depth of Pilkington“s knowledge of glass is not fully appreciated by the market. Now the company is getting stuff out of the lab and into the market.”