1997

Production of float glass and automotive glass begins in China

Main gate of Tianjin NSG Float Glass and Tianjin NSG Safety Glass

In April 1995, the company established the joint corporation Tianjin NSG Float Glass Co. Ltd in Tianjin, China. Production and sales began in October 1997, marking a major foray into the Chinese market as a manufacturer of sheet glass. With a yearly output of 150,000 tons, the company supplied not only architectural glass, but also raw sheet glass for use in automobiles and mirrors. Meanwhile, in December 1995, the Tianjin NSG Safety Glass Co., Ltd., a joint venture with a local manufacturer, was established to produce automotive glass. With the manufacturing capacity to produce reinforced safety glass for 250,000 vehicles a year, this company began test production in December 1997, and began supplying goods in July the following year.