Nippon Sheet to build India plant

Nippon Sheet Glass Co. said Tuesday it will build a plant in India to manufacture glass for vehicles at a cost of about 15 million euro, or ¥2.3 billon, through its British subsidiary Pilkington Group Ltd.

It is the first attempt by the glass manufacturer to tap into the Indian market. Production in Vishakhapatnam, eastern India, is due to begin by next summer, the company said.

Pilkington, which Nippon Sheet Glass bought last year, will operate the new plant. The plant will be capable of producing about 500,000 windshields a year for export to the U.S. and Europe.

Nippon Sheet Glass will face competition from a group led by rival Asahi Glass Co.market in India.