Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In a significant move set to bolster its position as a leader in the Middle Eastern glass industry, Saudi American Glass Company (SAG) has placed an order with Glaston Corporation for a state-of-the-art ProL SPEED lamination line. This strategic investment, booked in Glaston’s Q1 2025 order book, underscores SAG’s commitment to meeting the escalating demand for high-quality, advanced glass products in the region. The new line is slated for delivery to SAG’s new facilities in Riyadh by the end of this year.
Established in 1978 as a pioneering joint venture, SAG holds the distinction of being the Middle East’s first glass manufacturer. Over the decades, the company has cultivated a reputation for excellence, providing a comprehensive range of glass processing services, including lamination, double glazing, edging, and tempering. Their offerings prominently feature energy-efficient glazing solutions, crucial for the region’s ambitious architectural designs.
The impetus behind this investment is multifaceted. According to Riass Dayekh, General Manager of SAG, “There is a high demand for fully laminated glass and other complex glass products due to upgraded architecture specifications.” This demand is further fueled by significant regional growth, including preparations for the upcoming FIFA World Cup in Saudi Arabia, which is driving a surge in construction for resorts, hotels, government buildings, and more. Dayekh notes, “Recently, we’ve been providing more high-quality specialty products, like acoustic and extra strong safety glass, SentryGlas® for facades and bullet-resistant glass.”
The Glaston ProL SPEED lamination line, a recent market introduction, represents a significant leap forward in glass processing technology. Renowned as one of the world’s fastest lamination lines for mixed production, it promises enhanced efficiency through rapid precision, a high degree of automation, and advanced heating technology. 
A key driver for SAG’s acquisition of the ProL SPEED line was the limitations of their existing laminating equipment. The new machine boasts an impressive larger size of 3.3 x 6 meters, significantly increased speed, and enhanced ease of use through automation, eliminating the need for manual recipe input by operators. Furthermore, the energy efficiency of the ProL SPEED line was a crucial factor in SAG’s decision-making process.
SAG’s long-standing relationship with Glaston has been a cornerstone of their operational success. “We have a long and positive experience with Glaston and we have come to rely on their technology. One of our oldest machines, a Glaston laminating line, has been operating since 1997,” says Dayekh. He emphasizes SAG’s continuous commitment to upgrading its processes and machinery, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s ambitious Vision 2030, which mandates keeping pace with market demands. Dayekh adds, “We look forward to increasing speed to facilitate our work with the latest ProL SPEED line.”
Kimmo Kuusela, EVP Sales & Service, EMEA & APAC at Glaston, highlights the versatility of the ProL SPEED technology: “Glaston’s ProL SPEED technology has been expertly engineered to manage different glass sizes, shapes and thicknesses with smooth output flow, even when processing mixed batches. Processors like SAG can achieve a significant increase in production output and yield while making production much easier for operators.”
This investment in the Glaston ProL SPEED lamination line positions Saudi American Glass Company at the forefront of the evolving glass manufacturing landscape in the Middle East, poised to meet the escalating demands for advanced and specialized glass solutions.
Source: Glaston Corporation with additional information added by GlassBalkan
