Jonathan commissions Beta Glass' N4 billion plant

Vice President Goodluck recently commissioned Beta Glass ultra light weight furnace plant with assurance that government would ensure adequate power and infrastructure to grow the economy.

The company located in Delta State is a member of Frigoglass, a multi-national organisation member of the Leventis group.

Jonathan, who was represented by the State Minister of Commerce and Industry, Ahmed Bichi, said the expansion project of the company would increase access to the product and reduce import.

He commended the company’s efforts in reviving the plant while lauding its focus and determination to stay afloat in the face of challenges, saying such would greatly boost the campaign geared at poverty reduction, employment generation and export promotion.

In his keynote address, Petros Diamantides, group managing director, Frigoglass, Athens, disclosed that Beta Glass invested over N4 billion on the ultra modern light weight furnace in addition to improving the capacity utilisation of the plant from 180 tons to 220 tons.

Diamantides explained that the investment was part of the company’s efforts to meet the expanding market and increasing demand for hollow glass containers in Nigeria, the West African sub-region and indeed the sub-Sahara region of Africa.

"The furnace in addition to the increased capacity facilitates the production of ultra light weight bottles for the first time in West Africa. It also uses recycled glass, which helps the environment as it is pollution free,’’ he said.

According to the glass manufacturer, apart from the machinery and equipment which is indigenously rooted, the company’s staff strength of 500 is made up of over 99 per cent Nigerians while over 85 percent of the raw material input is locally sourced.

Beta Glass is a leading manufacturer of glass containers in West Africa. Its product range includes glass bottles for packaging food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, breweries, distilleries, wineries and cosmetics.

The company has also installed a 4.9 mega watts gas turbine to ensure stable supply of power.