HFT to make first rolled glass manufacturing facility for photovoltaic solar panels

Canadian Premium Sand (CPS) announced Tuesday it had contracted with HFT, based in McMurray, Pa., to conduct pre-construction design and engineering on the first north American’ integrated glass manufacturing facility to produce glass for photovoltaic solar panels.

HFT will also design the related sand-processing facility, the company said. The glass plant will be built on a 121-acre greenfield site in Selkirk, Manitoba, while the sand facility will process low iron silica sand at a facility north of the glass plant in Seymourville, Manitoba.

“HFT is delighted to be entrusted by CPS to provide a first-of-its-kind project in North America,” says Sam Leaper, HFT’s Director of Glass Business Development. “HFT’s experience, as well as that of our global partners, for concise planning, commitment to engineering excellence, and diligent, coordinated project execution, will deliver a high-quality manufacturing facility with the long-term reliability, sustainability, and efficiency that CPS requires. Pre-construction activities have already begun to meet CPS’s production timeline and operational goals.”

Under the agreement, HFT will serve as the engineering, procurement, and construction contractor and deliver all aspects of the Selkirk and Seymourville projects to CPS. Following final investment decisions expected in the first quarter of 2023, HFT will continue with the equipment and material sourcing, construction execution, and site development through to start-up and training. HFT said the project would be a true turnkey package that will deliver CPS with a fully integrated operational facility.

HFT will be responsible for all aspects of the glass process line within the Selkirk plants and will work with experienced global partners to deliver everything from raw material reception to post-manufacturing glass fabrication.