AkijBashir Group's project 'Akij Glass Industries Limited' has been a testament to resilience, implemented over a period of more than five years. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and economic crises in the country's banking sector, the group has shown unwavering determination. Now, 'Akij Bashir Glass' is ready to enter the market commercially, a true testament to the group's commitment and perseverance.

Akij Glass Industries Limited has established a factory on 125 acres of land in Madhabpur Upazila of Habiganj. Several banks and financial institutions funded the construction of the factory, which is expected to directly employ nearly one thousand people. The investment in constructing the factory has been approximately BDT 2,200 crore.

The concerned people have said that production of various high-quality glass types for household use has commenced at the factory. The daily production capacity is 600 tons. The modern manufacturing plant aims to enhance product value addition. It features state-of-the-art sand purification methods, significantly improving glass cleanliness. The portfolio includes clear-color reflective products of all kinds. The institution is poised to focus on adding new value in the coming days.

SK Bashir Uddin, the Managing Director (MD) of AkijBashir Group, said to Bonik Barta, "The plan for this investment was made five years ago due to complications arising from COVID-19 and subsequent challenges in opening LCs (Letters of Credit). Now, we are producing the 'Best Possible' glass in Bangladesh. On Monday (July 15), we are commercially launching our products for the first time. The investment in this project amounts to BDT 2,200 crore, mainly financed through banking arrangements.

SK Bashir Uddin addeded that they have utilized 71 percent renewable and waste-fuel energy in the project. They have a fully circular waste treatment facility where water is ensured to be fully reused. Groundwater usage has been minimized.

Claiming to be the best sand treatment plant in the region, the AkijBashir Group Managing Director said, "We hope to produce the best quality glass. The quality of glass is determined by the presence of iron particles. Our state-of-the-art sand processing ensures the highest clarity compared to any other glass with the lowest amount (PPM) of iron particles."

He further stated, "Our project includes the most skilled waste management system in the country. Consequently, the least waste will be used here. Considering the dimensions of the glass, our glass panels are the most flexible. We have taken environmental considerations into account in our current value-added propositions. Within one or two years, we plan to introduce various refined glass products to the market."

Regarding the potential for exports, SK Bashir Uddin said, "There is indeed potential for exporting these products to neighboring countries. However, our goal is to meet daily essential needs and export value-added glass products. We aim to bring products like shower enclosures and mirrors, particularly to advanced global markets. We believe it will take us several years to establish such value-added product exports."

Industry stakeholders claim that glass sales amount to approximately BDT 4,000 crore annually. The country consumes about 500,000 tons of glass each year due to rapid urbanization, increasing at an average rate of 15 percent over the past decade. Transparent, colored, and reflective glass types are widely used in the country. Major glass production entities in Bangladesh include Nasir Glass Industries and PHP Float Glass Industries. AB Glass and the state-owned Usmania Glass Sheet Factory also operate in this sector.