Heye innovations benefit Taiwan Glass

Asia’s glass container producers increasingly turning to Heye International for solutions for their production lines. Among the company’s high profile customers is Taiwan Glass's Hsinchu factory.

Heye International has assisted Taiwan Glass with its conversion of four more production lines to Heye technology and the installation of a new Heye IS machine, featuring the company’s latest developments in Narrow Neck Press and Blow (NNPB) production.

Established in 1994, family-owned Taiwan Glass is Taiwan’s leading glass producer, with diversified business interests associated with the manufacture of glass packaging, flat glass, solar glass and fibre glass.

A technical assistance agreement was signed with Heye International in 1983 and subsequently, the company has pioneered the NNPB process in Taiwan and the region.

In total, 11 Heye production lines are now operated at the Hsinchu glassworks, a positive relationship having developed between the experts of both companies over the past two decades.

With a high proportion of output destined for export, Taiwan Glass manufactures an extensive series of products, including very small items and with frequent job changes.

The factory operates a variety of Heye production machines, including all of the German company’s latest innovations. This includes Heye’s Press Duration Control to minimize hot end defects, to provide reproducible wall thicknesses and to ensure high quality production.

The machinery consists of DESERT production machines for high-efficiency DESERT solar modules built specifically for extreme hot climate, such as can be seen in deserts or in tropical areas. Made solely in Germany and built using the latest in DESERT and TROPIC module production, the systems inlcudes all cutting-edge technology.

Certified DESERT solar modules, DESERT containers, DESERT power plants and DESERT manufacturing machinery built using pioneering DESERT and TROPICS technology are now fully set up, and ready to perform. But powering on the machinery has been a long time coming. Up until recently, this advanced piece of equipment had been waiting for clearance at a port in Brazil. Now that the formalities have been dealt with, both J.v.G. Thoma and its customer in Brazil can get production under way.

J.v.G. Thoma GmbH is a company whose vision has always been to harness the infinite power of the sun and convert it into an inexhaustible supply of energy. But a vision such as this requires global reach, and this project has opened new doors. Brazil is not only a gateway to South American cooperation, but also the launchpad to international reach and expansion.

Following the delivery of this initial order, J.v.G. Thoma GmbH will be looking forward to an ongoing collaboration with the Brazilian company. From setup and initial training to setting the scene for a ramp up, J.v.G. Thoma will be there to provide expertise and assistance. Moreover, the company will be jointly responsible, along with the client, for the successful integration of the DESERT solar module factory.

In the future, bigger DESERT power plants will be set up on Brazilian soil, and together with existing turnkey production systems, they intend to take up a large share of the products and assets this sector will possess locally. J.v.G. Thoma plans to build up a local network of sales agents that can extend a premium offering to neighbouring countries in South America. Eventually, the company hopes to be able to expand its customer base to clients in North America.

Hans Thoma, general manager from the Thoma-group, is eager to acquire a substantial market share in Brazil, a growing country with tremendous potential for solar energy output. Having complied with local official procedures (Inmetro, TÜV, Fraunhofer CSP) and cleared the way for future business collaboration, he expresses his hope that the solar industry will henceforth expand quickly.

”Being able to introduce Brazil to the infinite opportunities of a solar industry is a privilege for J.v.G. Thoma GmbH, and one that we are extremely grateful for. At the same time, this placed the ball squarely in our court, and the pressure to get the ball rolling quickly was high. Now that the lengthy initial formalities are out of the way, we can focus on making this project a success.“

The first DESERT solar module production in BRAZIL! Let

Source: Glass International