The Malaysian Government approves the build of a solar glass factory

• The project will be built by an undisclosed multinational glass company in the Sabah region at Kota Kinbalu park and it’s worth $483 million.

The aforementioned project was disclosed by Datuk Darell Leiking,  Malaysia’s International trade and industry Minister via his tweeter handle on Friday. He said that the project is worth MYR 2 billion ($483 million). However, the identity of the company that will carry out the project was not mentioned. The project will be located at Kota Kinabalu Industrial Park, in the Sabah region. 

Sometime in February this year, Malaysian newspaper called the Daily Express had disclosed that a Chinese Silica-sand- based glass company had the intention to erect a factory at the Kota Kinabalu industrial Park. The newspaper also reported that Chinese company that intends to set up the glass factory at the industry park already has one in Malaysia’s Malacca. 

Could the company be Xinyi Solar? They already have a factory that procures 900-ton of solar glass annually in Malacca. As at the time of reporting, the company has not responded to PV’s request to confirm if this new project is carried out by their company. 

In 2010, Sun Bear Solar Ltd had declared their intention to site a factory at Kota Kinabalu Park. But it seems such plans have faded away.  

The Indian government placed a ban on textured and toughened solar glasses that come from Malaysia since the beginning of February this year. However, this ban doesn’t affect Xinyi Solar.