Abstract
Global demand to rise 5.3% annually through 2010
World demand for flat glass is forecast to rise 5.3 percent per year through
2010 to 6.1 billion square meters. Maintaining the trend seen over the
2000-2005 period, demand will outpace real (i.e., inflationadjusted) gains in
the global economy. Production of flat glass is projected to increase 5.5
percent per year through 2010 to 56.6 million metric tons, of which
approximately 45-50 million metric tons will be high quality float glass. The
remainder will consist of low quality float glass produced primarily in China
-- and, to a lesser extent, in Russia -- as well as sheet glass and rolled
glass. The market value of fabricated glass (encompassing basic flat glass as
well as value-added products such as laminated, tempered, insulating and
mirrored glass) is forecast to grow 4.8 percent per year through 2010 to $60
billion.
Higher value flat glass products to grow the fastest
Chief among these value-added flat glass materials are more expensive
doubleglazed insulating glass units (IGUs) that provide improved energy
efficiency and have become increasingly popular in developed countries. Sales
of new generations of security and fire-rated glass, self-cleaning glass, and
smart windows that promise unprecedented control and energy savings will also
accelerate through 2010. Coated and laminated products will continue to expand
market share at the expense of basic float glass through 2010. Finally,
architectural trends such as extra natural lighting in buildings, skylights,
glass patio doors and enclosures, and larger windows will all bolster the
global market for flat glass. Demand for other specialty glass products is
also forecast to increase at an above average pace through 2010. Besides gains
in traditional sectors such as mirrors and furniture glass, newer applications
that utilize advanced glass -- such as specialty electronics glass used in
flat panel displays and computer monitors -- will post strong growth.
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