Unnikrishnan AR, Managing Director-Glass Business, Saint-Gobain India

27 Aug 2021 CW Team

A product is often valued for its versatility and ability to lend itself to diverse applications. Saint- Gobain's genesis dates back to 1665 when King Louis XIV of France commissioned it to make glass for the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. Since then, there has been no looking back for one of the world's largest manufacturers of glass, among several lines of businesses.With a presence in 70 countries, Saint-Gobain's journey in India began in 1996 and continues successfully, with the company gaining leadership position in all its major businesses.

Saint-Gobain’s glass operations were initiated in India in 2000 with the commissioning of its first float glass plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. Housed in a 177-acre campus, the World Glass Complex is one of the biggest investments by the group in a single location. Along with its other plants in Jhagadia, Gujarat, and Bhiwadi, Rajasthan, the glass business has made Saint- Gobain a market leader, pioneering innovations across products, marketing, manufacturing, applications and human resources. Today, glass is a material considered for value addition and more than just a commodity. Unnikrishnan AR, Managing Director-Glass Business, Saint- Gobain India, who has also been the chair representing various forums in sustainability and regulations drafting key policy structure frameworks for the Indian construction industry, speaks about sustainability, the company’s initiatives and more, in conversation with SERAPHINA D’SOUZA.

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