AIS and INOX Team Up for Green Hydrogen in New Rajasthan Glass Facility
Asahi India Glass (AIS), headquartered in Gurugram, has revealed its collaboration with INOX Air Products. AIS holds a significant position in the automotive glass industry, commanding a combined market share of nearly 65% across various segments, including passenger vehicles, three-wheelers, commercial vehicles, and off-highway vehicles in India.
Under the partnership, AIS will source green hydrogen for its upcoming greenfield facility in Soniyana, Rajasthan, from INOX Air Products, a prominent manufacturer of medical and industrial gases in India. INOX Air Products will supply green hydrogen to fuel AIS' new float glass facility, which is poised to have a monthly capacity of up to 17,000 metric tons.
With a strong emphasis on sustainability, AIS intends to utilize green hydrogen to decrease CO2 emissions by 25,000 metric tons over a span of two decades from this plant. The upcoming facility, positioned as environmentally friendly, will depend on renewable energy for more than 95% of its energy needs, with only 5% sourced from thermal power.
AIS is committing Rs 1400 crore to establish this new float glass facility, scheduled to commence operations by the end of the calendar year 2025. The company's objective is to domesticate at least 70% of its float glass (essential for automotive glass production) needs within India, thereby boosting its 'Make-in-India' initiative.
The new greenfield facility in Soniyana, situated in Chittorgarh, Rajasthan, will serve AIS' current five glass processing plants across India, located in Bawal (Haryana), Patan (Gujarat), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Roorkee (Uttarakhand), and Taloja (Maharashtra). AIS will persist in importing the remaining float glass from its joint venture partner, Asahi Glass Corporation, sourced from the latter's facility in Indonesia, and capitalize on the benefits of the India-Indonesia Free Trade Agreement.
The localization initiative will bolster AIS' supply chain within the country and simultaneously mitigate its reliance on wholly imported float glass. As demand surges for cutting-edge automotive glasses, including UV-cut side window glasses endorsed by the Indian government's Auto PLI scheme for enhanced solar control performance, AIS is placing significant bets on its new greenfield facility to more effectively meet the requirements of its clientele.
