French Saint-Gobain establishing €175 million glass factory in Egypt

The new factory extends over 200,000 square metres, according to a statement issued by Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE).

The French giant also laid the foundation for a solar power plant to produce 10 megawatts of electricity. The plant aims to reduce approximately 6,000 tons of carbon emissions, according to the SCZONE.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Eric Chevalier, the French ambassador to Cairo, Hadi Nassif, the CEO of Saint-Gobain for the Eastern Mediterranean and Middle East Group, and Walid Gamal El-Din, the Chairman of SCZONE.

The factory seeks to export 60 percent of its production, according to Gamal El-Din, who said such an approach goes in line with the country’s goals to reach $100 billion in exports.

The SCZONE chairman also noted that glass production is a necessary complementary industry and aligns with Egypt’s plans to localize the automobile industries in the East Port Said region.

He said Egypt and France cooperate in several industries, including green fuel production and logistics.

For his part, Nassif said that the laying of the foundation for a new factory reflects Saint-Gobain’s commitment to providing innovative and sustainable building materials to reach zero carbon neutrality (Net Zero) by the year 2050.

He also praised Egypt’s efforts to stimulate industrial production, create job opportunities, and develop local competencies.

The French company already operates a glass production factory on 190,000 square metres and a mirror production factory on 10,000 square metres within the Sokhna zone.