World Demand of Flat Glass

According to a study from the Freedonia Group, production of flat glass is projected to increase 5.2% per year through 2008 to 48.3 million metric tons, of which around 34 million metric tons will be high quality float glass.

Construction markets will grow the fastest based on expanding global fixed investment; consequently, demand in the already dominant architectural glass sector will register the best gains.

The market for architectural glass is forecast to grow 5.4% per year through 2008 to US$53 billion; it will benefit from the greater use of value-added glazing products (such as laminated, tempered, mirrored glass and above all, double-glazed insulated glass units, which have become more and more popular in developed countries, often incorporating low emissivity coatings, as well as new generations of security and fire-rated glass, self cleaning glass, and smart windows that promise unprecedented control and energy savings.)

Asia will continue to offer strong annual gains, with growth especially strong in China and India.