Inside a World-Class Glass Factory - Taiwan’s Mega Factories

Reporter/Provider - TaiwanPlus
Publish Date -
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Glass has been an important material in human societies since its invention over 4,000 years ago. But how is glass made, and why is it still so essential today? This documentary explains how one mega factory in central Taiwan produces high-tech glass products for diverse industries around the world. Since the opening of its first factory in Hsinchu, Taiwan, the Taiwan Glass Company has expanded to open a total of five factories across northern and central Taiwan. Today, one of these factories houses the first and only float glass line in Taiwan. But how did Taiwan become one of the world’s top glass producers? Hsinchu, Taiwan is famous for its semiconductor industry. However, in the 1970s, the city was a prominent producer of string light bulbs and decorative glass, producing over 70% of the world’s supply. This industrial dominance was made possible in part due to Taiwan’s large deposits of silica sand, a key material in glass production. Today, Taiwan Glass’s five factories produce glass products for a variety of applications, including bottles and jars, architectural glass and glass fiber. Each factory employs specialized technology to produce the best glass of its kind. In this documentary, we tour Taiwan Glass to witness their production processes and find out what sets this mega factory apart from its competitors. Beyond producing new glass, Taiwan Glass also runs its own glass recycling facility, enabling the company to utilize recycled glass in its products without any loss in quality. And when it comes to architectural glass, the company produces all kinds, with various coatings and finishes for designers to choose from. In fact, coated glass panes produced by Taiwan Glass can be seen in the glass curtain walls of many prominent and luxurious skyscrapers worldwide. We show you how these functional coatings are applied and how additional processes allow the glass panes to withstand sun, wind, and heavy storms while looking beautiful for decades. So, are you ready to find out how glass is made? Then what are you waiting for? Check out our in-depth tour of this Taiwanese mega factory to see why glass remains a crucial material in our societies today.

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Taiwan's Mega Factories

Taiwan's business landscape is full of world industry leaders. Each episode focuses on a single factory, using real footage and animations to bring viewers into the factory to witness the secrets to their success.