AIS Stands Apart Through Its Integration, Innovation, And Long-Term Sustainability Focus

Shailesh Ranjan has 20 years of rich experience in the glass industry, handling diverse profiles such as business intelligence, product management, project management, marketing, strategy, technical marketing, and business planning and operations. He has participated in various exhibitions and seminars as a keynote speaker, delivering lectures on different dynamics of glass. A certified green building trainer, his key areas of expertise include promoting energy efficiency, net zero principles, and safety through glass in the architectural segment across various climatic conditions and building types. In an exclusive interaction with WFM Media, Shailesh Ranjan shares how Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS) has evolved into a leader in integrated glass solutions. He discusses AIS’ commitment to innovation, sustainability, and cutting-edge design, reflecting the company’s vision to redefine modern architecture and responsible manufacturing in India. Shailesh Ranjan Business Head-Institutional Glass & Technical Head-Architectural Glass Asahi India Glass Ltd (AIS)

AIS has been a part of India’s growth story for decades. Could you share how it all began and the vision that continues to guide the company today?

Asahi India Glass Limited (AIS) stands tall as one of India’s leading integrated glass and window solutions companies, with an exceptional presence in both automotive and architectural glass segments. With a legacy of over three decades, AIS has evolved from a single-plant, single-product, and single-customer entity to a globally recognised glass powerhouse offering end-to-end solutions.
Started commercial operations in 1987 as a joint venture between the Labroo family, Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. (now AGC Inc.), and Maruti Udyog Limited (now MSIL), AIS has consistently pushed boundaries in technology, quality, and sustainability. Today, it is not just a glass manufacturer but a solution provider for a wide spectrum of applications.
AIS continues to push boundaries in glass science, design innovation, and sustainability. We aim to make glass a driver of sustainable transformation in architecture, mobility, and lifestyle.

The glass industry has seen tremendous change and competition. What, in your view, truly sets AIS apart from others in this space?

AIS stands apart through its integration, innovation, and long-term sustainability focus.

• Automotive leadership: AIS is India’s largest integrated automotive glass manufacturer and supplies advanced glazing systems to leading OEMs. Its offerings include HUD-compatible windshields, acoustic laminated glass, solar-control windshields, illuminated sunroofs, and glazing solutions for EVs — combining safety, comfort, and performance.
• Comprehensive architectural and building solutions: AIS offers end-to-end solutions in architectural glass and fenestration through brands such as AIS Ecosense, AIS Windows, and AIS Glasxperts. Its projects include Rustomjee Crown (Mumbai), DLF Downtown & Cyber Park (Gurugram), Prestige Tech Park (Bengaluru), and several others that define modern urban skylines with design excellence and energy efficiency.
  • Extensive product portfolio: AIS caters to multiple segments through specialised ranges:
  • Energy-efficient, high-performance glass: AIS Ecosense, AIS SunShield, and AIS Opal — designed to reduce solar heat gain, improve insulation, and enhance visual comfort.
  • Safety and security glass solutions: AIS Stronglas™ (tempered glass) and AIS Securityglas® (laminated glass) that offer impact resistance and occupant protection.
  • Smart and lifestyle glass: AIS Swytchglas™ (smart switchable glass) and AIS Integrated Blinds, which provide enhanced, on-demand privacy and control.
  • uPVC, aluminium, and window profiles: AIS Windows offers end-to-end solutions from glass and frame selection all the way to efficient installation on-site.
• Sustainability-first mindset: AIS has become the first company in India’s float glass industry to use green hydrogen as part of its energy mix — a step that will substantially lower carbon emissions and set a new industry benchmark. Alongside this, the company continues to expand its use of renewable energy, waste heat recovery, and water recycling systems, reinforcing its commitment to responsible manufacturing.

Together, these attributes position AIS not merely as a supplier but as a strategic solutions partner driving India’s progress in mobility, construction, and design innovation.

Sustainability Is Becoming A Defining Aspect Of Modern Businesses. How Is AIS Making Its Products And Operations More Environmentally Responsible?

Sustainability is integral to AIS’ philosophy and embedded across every process — from manufacturing to product innovation.

AIS’ third Float Glass Plant in Soniyana, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, stands as a symbol of this vision. It sources green hydrogen produced using renewable energy from a dedicated solar power plant through electrolysis. This landmark project reinforces AIS’ leadership in India’s green industrial transition and demonstrates its commitment to decarbonising core manufacturing processes. It is designed to meet up to 95% of its energy needs from renewable sources such as solar and wind power, and also incorporates green hydrogen as part of its energy mix — a first for the Indian float glass industry. This advancement marks a crucial step towards reducing the carbon footprint of glass manufacturing in India.

AIS’ broader sustainability initiatives include:

• Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) systems across plants to reclaim and reuse thermal energy.
• Incorporation of 20–30% recycled glass cullet in production, reducing raw material consumption.
• Water conservation and rainwater harvesting initiatives across sites to minimise freshwater dependency.
• Product-level sustainability: AIS Ecosense and AIS SunShield reduce solar heat substantially, while AIS Swytchglas™ and AIS Integrated Blinds enable intelligent light management without additional energy use.
• Responsible operations: Under its Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, AIS ensures safe recycling and disposal of packaging and process waste through certified partners.

These measures collectively reinforce AIS’ commitment to achieving carbon, water, and waste efficiency in line with India’s net-zero vision.

From Smart Glass To Digital Tools, Technology Seems To Be Shaping The Future Of Glass. How Is AIS Embracing Innovation To Stay Ahead Of The Curve?

Innovation at AIS extends far beyond products — it is a continuous pursuit that connects design, manufacturing, and customer experience.

At the product level, AIS is redefining performance and comfort through smart, sustainable, and technologically advanced solutions.

• Smart Glazing: AIS Swytchglas™, powered by PDLC technology, enables instant transition between transparent and opaque modes, offering dynamic privacy and light control.
• Advanced Coatings: New-generation coated glass solutions such as AIS Natura and AIS Natura 70 are designed for optimal light transmission, superior solar control, and exceptional visual clarity — eliminating the need to compromise between brightness and efficiency.
• Integrated Comfort: AIS Integrated Blinds within DGUs provide an elegant, low-maintenance way to manage light and temperature in modern spaces.
• Automotive Innovation: AIS continues to advance mobility with AR-HUD-compatible windshields, solar-reflective glazing, and acoustic laminates for quieter, energy-efficient vehicles.

Innovation also drives AIS’ manufacturing excellence.

• Hydrogen-ready production: The upcoming float glass furnaces are being built with hydrogen compatibility, aligning AIS with the global shift towards low-carbon, sustainable manufacturing.
• Automation and AI: Across AIS plants, AI-driven vision systems and laser-based inspection detect even the smallest defects, ensuring zero-defect quality. Collaborative robots (Cobots) enhance assembly precision and efficiency, while Poka Yoke systems and Android-based terminals enable mistake-proof dispatch, faster turnaround, and real-time traceability.

Digitally, AIS Empowers Customers Through Immersive, Technology-Led Tools.

• The AIS Windows Virtual Studio configurator allows homeowners to design and customise door and window solutions online.
• The World of Glass app and AR-based visualisers let architects and customers experience glass performance in real time — transforming how design decisions are made.

Through these advancements, AIS continues to bridge science, sustainability, and design, ensuring that glass remains central to intelligent, efficient, and responsible living.

Glass Plays A Crucial Role In Safety, Performance, And Aesthetics. How Does AIS Ensure That Every Product Meets The Highest Standards Of Quality And Reliability?

At AIS, quality is a non-negotiable core value. Every product undergoes rigorous testing and inspection to meet international standards of strength, safety, and performance.

• Automated optical scanners assess clarity, stress, and impact resistance in real time.
• Each glass sheet carries a unique digital ID, ensuring end-to-end traceability from float to finishing.
• All manufacturing facilities adhere to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and OHSAS 18001 certifications, ensuring process integrity and environmental compliance.
• AIS products conform to BIS, ECE R43, EN, and ASTM standards.
• The company’s hydrogen-compatible manufacturing setups are being designed to maintain quality consistency while reducing environmental impact.
• Specialised products like AIS Stronglas™, AIS Securityglas®, and Acoustic Laminated Glass guarantee durability, protection, and comfort in even the most demanding applications.

From skyscrapers to high-speed vehicles, AIS ensures every product upholds the same promise — clarity with confidence.

AIS Has Been Part Of Several Remarkable Projects Across India. Is There Any Project That Stands Out For You — One That Best Represents What AIS Stands For?

Several projects exemplify AIS’ design innovation and engineering excellence:

• DLF Cyber Park, Gurugram, and Prestige Tech Park, Bengaluru, showcase AIS’ solar-control low-E glass in large façades that enhance energy performance and aesthetics.
• Rustomjee Crown, Mumbai, uses solar-control low-E AIS Ecosense Clear Radiance and Aura Enhance to balance daylight and thermal comfort, redefining urban luxury.
• Sitara Himalaya, Manali, executed by AIS Glasxperts, features a multi-layer insulated glazing system that ensures energy efficiency and comfort at high altitudes.

In the automotive sector, AIS glass powers the windshields and panoramic roofs of vehicles across all categories, combining technology, comfort, and safety.

These projects reflect AIS’ ability to deliver across scales — from architectural icons to everyday mobility — always anchored in performance, precision, and sustainability.

Behind Every Successful Organisation Are Its People. How Does AIS Nurture Talent And Encourage A Culture Of Growth And Innovation Among Its Employees?

At AIS, people remain the cornerstone of our success. We believe that nurturing talent and fostering a culture of continuous learning, innovation, and inclusivity are key to sustaining our leadership.

AIS invests deeply in its people through structured training, mentorship, and leadership programmes. Our learning ecosystem includes self-paced digital modules, LinkedIn Learning access, and development initiatives focused on green manufacturing, hydrogen technologies, automation, and design innovation — ensuring our workforce is ready for the future.

Collaboration across R&D, operations, and sustainability encourages holistic thinking, while initiatives such as the AIS Design Olympiad (ADO), AIS Masterclass, and AIS Academy strengthen engagement with academia and the design community.

AIS’ culture is built on trust, openness, and meritocracy. Many of our senior leaders, including COOs and Executive Directors, began their careers as Graduate Engineer Trainees, reflecting our focus on internal talent growth. Guided by Equal Opportunity and EHS frameworks, we champion inclusion, safety, and respect for all.

Through trust, empowerment, and recognition, AIS continues to build a motivated, future-ready workforce — one that drives innovation, sustainability, and lasting success.

The Future Of Glass Looks Exciting, With Advancements In Design, Performance, And Sustainability. What Does The Road Ahead Look Like For AIS, And What New Opportunities Are You Most Looking Forward To?

The road ahead for AIS is defined by growth, sustainability, and digital transformation.

The company is expanding its manufacturing footprint with:

• A new window plant to meet rising demand for high-performance fenestration solutions.
• Upcoming float glass and coated glass facilities to enhance production capacity and serve India’s growing architectural and automotive sectors.
• Broader integration of hydrogen-based energy and renewables across plants to reduce carbon intensity.

Beyond Capacity, AIS Aims To Advance:

• Smart façades featuring adaptive and solar-integrated glass technologies.
• Lightweight acoustic glass for EVs and high-speed mobility.
• Export expansion, positioning India as a global hub for sustainable glass manufacturing.
• Circular innovation, emphasising recycled content, water efficiency, and renewable energy use across the value chain.

AIS envisions glass as a material of the future — smart, sustainable, and transformative — shaping how we live, build, and move.