Abu Dhabi-based Al Heya Special Glass Factory launched its first 'Made in UAE' blast and bullet resistance glass at the Idex 2017 held in Abu Dhabi last week.

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, said a Wam news agency report.

Abdullah Al Mansoori, owner of the company, told Wam 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.

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