Crystal clear vision

NATIONAL COMPANY FOR GLASS INDUSTRIES I PROFILE

Since its establishment in 1991, Riyadh-headquartered National Company for Glass Industries, or Zoujaj, has grown into a major packaging and float glass producer with a solid footing in the region and beyond. Romana Moares reports.

National Company for Glass Industries SJSC (Zoujaj) is a Saudi Arabia-based public shareholding company engaged in the production of float glass, and returnable and non-returnable glass bottles and containers.

The company operates a modern glass container factory in Riyadh that was established in 1991 and has recently been expanded and modernised. In addition, Zoujaj has stakes in several subsidiaries and affiliates, including Guardian Zoujaj International Float Glass company LLC (Guardian RAK) and Saudi Guardian International Float Glass Company (Gulf Guard).

“Including our sister companies, we employ nearly 1,000 people,” said Mr Bassam Mohammed Al Bassam, Managing Director and member of the Board of Directors. “Unlike most similar companies operating here in the sector, we are not privately owned but operate as a public shareholding company. What also differentiates us from others is our financial stability, a solid track record, and the consistent quality of our products, as well as our delivery reliability.”

Over the last decade the company has made significant investments in the Riyadh factory, and this state-of-the-art technology, most of which was supplied from Germany and Italy, is also one of the factors that has contributed to the company’s strong market position.

A testament to its continued focus on top performance and top quality, the company has also achieved ISO 9001, 14001, 22000 and 45001 certifications and is also food safety certified by FSSC.

Glass packaging

In today’s increasingly environmentally-aware world, the benefits of glass packaging are clear: glass is sustainable, fully and infinitely recyclable, reusable and refillable. And it is beautiful – consumers love it.

From the consumer’s point of view, glass has added benefits. Glass is virtually inert and impermeable, making it the most stable of all packaging materials. There is no risk of harmful chemicals getting into the food or drinks that are packed in glass.

No additional barriers or additives are needed: a glass bottle or jar is 100% pure glass.

It is no wonder that Zoujaj’s glass products are greatly in demand. In the Riyadh factory, many types of glass containers are being manufactured, ranging from 88ml to 1250ml of various kinds, shapes and colours in labelled, decorated or non-decorated types to cater to customer demand locally and internationally.

The company’s glass containers include narrow-neck and widemouthed bottles in various kinds, shapes, sizes and colours, as well as flint/green (RB/NRB) glass bottles. The containers are mostly custom-made glass packaging plus generic containers for food, beverages, and other products.

With modern furnaces and five production lines the plant achieves top quality and efficiency. The technology includes triple and double gob machines, a labelling unit, an automated packaging line, as well as two off-line decorating machines to print different colours onto containers.

“Innovation is part of our operation,” said Mr Bassam. “Every year, we launch several new products reflecting new trends in design and technology. Design is an aspect that is always changing even with our regular customers, and we are well suited to meeting those changing demands with our technology and capabilities.”

Float glass

In addition to packaging glass, the company is heavily involved in float glass production via its two partner companies, confirmed Mr Bassam.

“We have a majority stake in two factories that supply float glass to customers all over the world, from Europe and America to China.”

The first one, Saudi Guardian International Float Glass company Limited (Gulf Guard) is the first float glass manufacturing plant in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. It is located at Al-Jubail Industrial City’s secondary province in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and is primarily engaged in the manufacture of float glass for construction and automotive applications.

Its products are supplied to a range of applications: from iconic architectural projects that push the boundaries of glass

NATIONAL COMPANY FOR GLASS INDUSTRIES I PROFILE

technology, to the development of some of the most energy-efficient home, work and retail environments.

The second facility, Guardian Zoujaj International Float Glass company LLC (Guardian RAK), is the first float glass manufacturing plant in the UAE and the second one in the GCC. It was established to meet the ever-increasing demand for float glass among customers in the regional markets of the Middle East and the Arab world.

Guardian RAK is located at Jazirah Al Hamra, Ras Al Khaemah, and produces float glass and high-performance coated glass products from a high-tech jumbo coating machine.

From nature to nature

Mr Bassam pointed out that sustainability and environmental protection is something the company takes very seriously, in line with the very characteristics of the material itself – glass is made from naturally occurring ingredients abundant in nature. The alchemy of these ingredients results in one sole material. No other material or chemical layers are needed to complete it.

Glass recycling is a closed-loop system, creating no additional waste or by-products. Glass is one of the very few examples where the same material can be recycled over and over again without any loss of quality.

Recyclability is now a factor that Zoujaj plans to utilise further, said Mr Bassam. In January 2022, the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Saudi Investment Recycling Company (SIRC), with a view to establishing a joint

company focusing on processing glass waste to produce a raw material for glass manufacturing as well as conducting research.

This will go hand-in-hand with further investment aimed at meeting rising demand for glass containers.

“People are much more aware of their environment these days. They want to act responsibly, and we are set to encourage people to recycle this precious material.”

In addition to the commitment to the environment, moving forward, the company will also be fully committed to playing an active part in supporting the growth of the country’s economy, Mr Bassam confirmed.

He concluded: “Saudi Arabia has large areas of sand, the main source of glass, and we are utilising our raw material, transforming it into greatly demanded products, and thus adding value not just to our shareholders but to society at large.” n