Asahi Glass Company (AGC), a manufacturer of glass, chemicals and high-tech materials, announced that it will invest approximately 18 billion Japanese yen ($158 million) in its consolidated subsidiary AGC Glass Brazil to build a second float glass production plant in the southeast region of Brazil. The new plant is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2018 and will increase AGC’s glass production capacity in the country to 2.4 times the current level, according to the company.

AGC established AGC Glass Brazil in 2011 and began operations in 2013. Today, AGC Glass Brazil manufactures and supplies float glass for architectural and automotive uses, mirrors, fabricated glass products for architectural use and laminated/tempered automotive glass. 

Under its management policy, the AGC Group said it aims to increase sales by capturing growing demand in emerging countries. With a relatively young population of approximately 200 million people and abundant natural resources, Brazil is expected to maintain its economic growth from a medium and long-term perspective. The demand for architectural glass and automotive glass is also projected to grow. In such a business environment, AGC said it will enhance its production capacity in Brazil to 530,000 tons per year, up 310,000 tons from the current capacity of 220,000 tons a year.