Mubasher: Qatar Industrial Manufacturing Company (QIMC) on Monday announced that its subsidiary, Gulf Glass Factory, has signed an engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract with the Italian company Falorni Gianfranco to build the first glass containers project in Qatar.

The project aims to produce glass containers used in the packaging of water, soft drinks, dairy products and various foodstuffs as well as medicines and perfumes, according to a filing to the Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE).

The project’s first phase is set to produce 200 tonnes per day with a total cost of QAR 238 million, while the second phase’s cost worth QAR 300 million raising the production capacity to about 450 tonnes per day.

“The project will be based on local sand available from the sand washing plant of QIMC. Tests were carried out on local sand which proved its good quality and suitability to produce high-quality glass containers,” the statement said.

Moreover, waste glass (CULLET) can be used if it becomes available in the future in Qatar.

The project will have a positive impact on the industrial sector, as it will contribute to the development of the growing food and beverage sector.

“The project will satisfy the local needs of glass containers, which are currently imported from outside sources at high costs, in addition to exporting a some of its products to neighbouring Arab markets, most importantly Lebanon, Jordan, Syria and Iraq,” the statement highlighted.

By the end of Sunday’s session, QIMC’s stock declined 0.26% at QAR 42.90.