Flat Glass Market Analysis

Global Flat Glass Market Overview

Flat Glass Market Size was valued at USD 121.56 billion in 2023. The Flat Glass industry is projected to grow from USD 127.20 Billion in 2024 to USD 186.5 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.90% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). The market will advance due to an increase in construction and infrastructure projects, and demand will be driven by the use of flat glass in energy-efficient building construction are the key market drivers enhancing the Flat Glass market CAGR.Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Flat Glass Market Trends

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  Construction Sector will Drive the Market Growth

  
  

Demand has increased as a result of expanding building activity and infrastructure development. Flat glass is used for facades, windows, and roofs. As an architectural feature, it is also used for internal partitions. It offers the building constructions outstanding qualities like as thermal and acoustic insulation. These characteristics drive demand for various flat glass products in the building and construction sector. Additionally, the Flat Glass market is likely to be driven by the rising industrialization pushing the installation of this type of glass in commercial buildings for energy saving by optimizing the use of natural light. Thus, this factor is driving the market CAGR.

Flat glass serves various purposes in the building sector, including heat insulation, soundproofing, safety applications, and sun protection. Flat glass has recently undergone improvements that enable the substance to self-clean. U.V. radiation from the sun breaks down organic soil. When it rains, the dirt that has been broken down is rinsed off the windows, leaving practically no streaks. Rather than creating droplets as it would on regular glass, the water creates a film that covers the full surface of the glass and picks up the dirt as it runs off. In the event of rain, self-cleaning glass provides better visibility than regular glass.

Saint Gobain introduced their new highly reflective glass – MIRASTAR REFLECT, in June (2022); it has a very low level of light transmission and is opaque with only 0.1% Light Transmission; it also exhibits good humidity resistance and is recommended for mirror wall fixed applications

Figure 1: United States annual residential construction (2017-2021)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Flat glass serves various purposes in the building sector, including heat insulation, soundproofing, safety applications, and sun protection. Flat glass has recently undergone improvements that enable the substance to self-clean. U.V. radiation from the sun breaks down organic soil. When it rains, the dirt that has been broken down is rinsed off the windows, leaving practically no streaks. Rather than creating droplets as it would on regular glass, the water creates a film that covers the full surface of the glass and picks up the dirt as it runs off. In the event of rain, self-cleaning glass provides better visibility than regular glass. From 2021, the construction industry is anticipated to develop at one of the fastest rates in the nation, particularly in a few areas of Asia-Pacific. After contracting by 18.7% in 2020, the construction industry is predicted to rise by 13.9% in 2021. Industrial real estate in the Asia-Pacific area had the greatest prospects among commercial assets in 2022, according to PwC; Urban Land Institute, with an index score of 6.99 on a scale of 1-9. The Institution of Civil Engineers predicts that the construction industry will generate USD 15.5 trillion in revenue during the next ten years, with growing nations like China and India and industrialized nations like the United States leading the way. Thus, it is anticipated that this aspect will accelerate flat glass market revenue ly.

AGC Glass Europe S.A., a 100% AGC Group subsidiary, one of the world’s top manufacturers of glass, chemicals and high-tech materials has announced in September (2022) that they will produce a float glass assortment that reduces its carbon footprint drastically to less than 7kg CO2/m2 for clear glass (4mm thickness), by the end of this year.

Cardinal Glass Industries Inc., in July of 2023, has stated about Cardinal CT Company’s Custom Tempering Operations consolidation and expansion into the Western United States. Less than two years ago, Cardinal CT acquired the Dixon California tempering facility and recently finished construction extension according to plan, as well as improved floor layout and installed new equipment here. All these changes have resulted in increased capacity and efficiency, leading Cardinal CT Company to prosper and eventually being promoted since it acquired the former Dixon California tempering facility, thereby increasing productivity.

Flat Glass Market Segment Insights

Flat Glass Product Type Insights

The flat glass market segmentation, based on product type, includes clear float glass, tempered glass, insulated glass, coated glass, annealed glass and laminated glass. The insulated product category led the Flat Glass market with a volume share of more than 44.0% in 2022. Demand from applications including curtain walls, storefronts, above glazing, non-vision areas, and commercial and operable windows is likely to continue to be a major component influencing this Flat Glass market's growth. Manufacturers have been forced to increase their capacity due to the rising demand. For instance, to meet the rising demand for highly specialized goods in the architectural and construction industries, Pilkington IGP showed interest in expanding its production facility in Ostroleka, Poland, in February 2020.

Figure 2:  Flat Glass Market, by type, 2022 & 2030 (USD billion)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Flat Glass End-use Insights

The flat glass market segmentation, based on end-use, includes building & construction, automotive, consumer goods and solar. Building and construction segment share the highest growth during the forecast period 2022. The three main causes of increased construction work and infrastructure development worldwide are population growth, urbanization, and rising disposable income. Due to its qualities, including acoustic insulation, heat insulation, anti-reflection, and transmission of certain solar wavelengths, this type of glass is widely employed in buildings and construction indoors, in windows, and facades. As a result, the Flat Glass market's expansion may be attributed to the strong demand from the building sector.

Flat Glass Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. Asia Pacific Flat Glass market accounted for USD 54.94 billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. In 2021, Asia Pacific led the market and generated more than 45.80% revenue. Throughout the projected period, infrastructure improvements in the Region's growing economies are anticipated to boost Flat Glass market growth. China and Japan are two nations that have begun investing in Southeast Asia, which is also one of the Region's developing marketplaces. Japan provided over USD 230 billion in project funding between 2000 and 2019, while China contributed about USD 155 billion to developing Southeast Asia's infrastructure.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are The U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the U.K., Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3:  FLAT GLASS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2023 (%)Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

North America Flat Glass market accounts for the second-largest market share. North America encountered challenges while building projects, particularly in the first half of 2020. But thanks to an increase in residential building activity in the second half of 2020, the market in the United States saw a modest comeback. For instance, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that from 2019 to 2020, the construction of new privately owned dwelling units increased by 6.7% in the Southern U.S. The demand for the product is anticipated to increase in the future due to the likelihood that this trend will last for several more years. Moreover, US Flat Glass market held the largest market share, and the China Flat Glass market was the fastest growing market in the region.

Europe Flat Glass Market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2022 to 2030. The need for automotive flat glass is anticipated to rise as vehicle production and sales in the area expand. This will likely increase demand for flat glass in Europe throughout the projection period. Further, the Germany Flat Glass market held the largest market share, and the U.K. Flat Glass market was the fastest-growing market in the European Region.

Flat Glass Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are investing a lot of money in R&D to expand their product portfolios, which will spur further market growth for the Flat Glass industry. With significant industry changes, including new product releases, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations, market participants are also undertaking various strategic activities to expand their presence. Flat Glass industry competitors must provide affordable products to grow and remain in a market that is becoming more competitive and growing.

Manufacturing locally to cut operational costs is one of the main business tactics used by the Flat Glass industry to serve customers and increase the market sector. The Flat Glass industry has recently given medicine some of the most important advantages. The Flat Glass market's major players such AGC Inc. (Japan), Sisecam Group (Turkey), Saint-Gobain (France), GUARDIAN GLASS LLC (U.S.), Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd (Japan), Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd (China),   Vitro (Mexico), Taiwan Glass Industry Corporation (Taiwan), Changzhou Almaden Co. Ltd (China),  SCHOTT AG (Germany), GSC GLASS LTD (India), and others are working on expanding the market demand by investing in research and development activities.

Sişecam is the world's top producer of chromium compounds and one of the top three manufacturers of soda ash ly. Sişecam is a major player in the mining, energy, chemicals, automotive, flat glass, glassware, glass packaging, glass fiber, mining, and recycling industries. Sişecam has announced an investment in Eskişehir's most recent glass packaging furnace, valued at EUR 84 million. The most recent investment, which has a 155,000-tonne annual capacity, is planned for Eskişehir, where glass packaging manufacturing is currently being done with the help of four furnaces. By the beginning of 2023, it is intended for this most recent furnace to be finished and operating fully.

Based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Guardian Industries is a privately held industrial manufacturer of glass, automotive, and construction materials. The business produces float glass, manufactured glass goods, fiberglass insulation, and construction supplies for use in industrial, domestic, and automotive settings. Guardian Glass will invest in the upgrading and modernization of glass manufacturing lines in the U.K. and Hungary starting in September 2019. The Goole, U.K., float glass production plant will be renovated and upgraded as the current furnace ends its useful life. The nominal melting capacity of the new float glass furnace is expected to be 825 metric tonnes per day, which represents a 20% increase over the capacity of the current furnace.

Key Companies in the Flat Glass market include

• AGC Inc. (Japan)


• Sisecam Group (Turkey)


• Saint-Gobain (France)


• GUARDIAN GLASS LLC (U.S.)


• Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd (Japan)


• Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co. Ltd (China)


• Vitro (Mexico)


• Taiwan Glass Industry Corporation (Taiwan)


• Changzhou Almaden Co. Ltd (China)


• SCHOTT AG (Germany)


• GSC GLASS LTD (India)

Flat Glass Industry Developments

Flat Glass Market Segmentation

Flat Glass Product Type Outlook

• Clear Float Glass


• Tempered Glass


• Insulated Glass


• Coated Glass


• Annealed Glass and Laminated Glass

Flat Glass End User Outlook

• Building & Construction


• Automotive


• Consumer Goods and Solar

Flat Glass Regional Outlook

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  North America

  
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


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  Europe

  
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


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  Asia-Pacific

  
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


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  Rest of the World

  
  
  
  
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    Middle East

    
    
  
  
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    Africa

    
    
  
  
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    Latin America