Abu Dhabi-based Al Heya Special Glass Factory launched its first 'Made in UAE' blast and bullet resistance glass at Idex this week, hoping to catch the GCC and Mena region markets through its maiden appearance, a report said.

The company briefed visitors to its stand on tests carried out last month to check the endurance of the glass, describing how it sustained the impact from a 40 calibre round fired from a range of 10 metres, reported Wam, the Emirates official news agency.

Abdullah Al Mansoori, owner of the company, said that Al Heya is the first factory manufacturing bullet proof glass in Abu Dhabi, and it was established with an aim to bring specialised glass manufacturing to the Middle East. The company has the capacity to engineer its products to suit specific applications or requirements.

"The glass is also explosion resistant, and our production capacity will be around 240,000 sq m per year in flat and curved glass, and we are also working to cover all requirements for armoured vehicles," Al Mansoori explained.

"We are transferring the technology from South Africa to make glass here in the UAE," he said, adding that the raw material is imported from Europe and from Emirates Glass, a Dubai-based company.

When asked about the response he received about the product, he said that many UAE government representatives and strategic clients had visited the stand, and showed their interest in collaborating with the company. He said that they were looking at the supply chain for companies like Tawazun Holding, who have their own armoured vehicles. "So we are looking into the supply chain for them to make sure that this glass is produced locally," he said.

Talking about his debut experience at Idex, he said, "We are both fascinated and impressed by the overwhelming response from potential buyers, and as a result, we have already booked a stand for the next edition of the Idex in 2019."

Al Mansoori said that in the near future the company will be launching new products.