Vitro Architectural Glass announced it will temporarily halt work on one of its raw-glass production lines in Carlisle, Pa., to revamp operations. According to a Vitro statement, the line (Line One) will be configured to produce glass for First Solar, a U.S.-based manufacturer of solar panels.

Vitro officials say the pause will begin in the first quarter of 2024, affecting around 90 employees. The line is expected to resume operations in 2025.

Vitro’s corporate communications manager, Thomas Meston, tells [DWM] the workers affected by the line shutdown will retain “recall rights.” They will have the “opportunity to be contacted as openings become available, including in 2025 with the line restart,” Meston says, adding, “We are also making job postings at our other sites available to employees, should they be interested and willing to relocate.”

In October, Vitro expanded its partnership with First Solar to further distribute glass front sheets used in advanced thin-film photovoltaic solar panels.

“Carlisle Line One is the most strategic line for Vitro to reconfigure for solar glass production,” says Ricardo Maiz, president of Vitro. “We’re grateful to have a plan to bring it back online at the latest during the second half of 2025 in anticipation of the commencement of the First Solar production commitments or sooner if market conditions dictate we do so.”

Officials say Vitro will invest approximately $180 million to revamp the Meadville, Pa., and Carlisle facilities for First Solar production. The company’s other production line, Line Two, will continue manufacturing commercial and residential glass products.