US demand rising 6.7% per year through 2008
US demand for advanced flat glass is forecast to rise 6.7% annually to $6.8 billion in 2008. Demand for solar control glass will increasingly focus on more advanced product forms, such as low-emissivity (low-e) and smart glass products, which offer significant benefits compared to conventional flat glass products. These products reduce heating and cooling costs, reduce the incidence of fading of furnishings, enhance privacy and protect occupants against harmful UV rays.
With respect to security and safety glass products, demand for architectural glass will continue to benefit from the increased emphasis on security, as concerns about terrorism are unlikely to disappear anytime soon. This will primarily support growth in nonresidential building market niches such as in government, large commercial and institutional types.
The greatest growth in architectural security glass will evolve in residential niches, albeit from a small 2003 base. Demand for fire-rated flat glass products will continue to shift from wirereinforced tempered glass to laminated glass, which offers better fire protection and lower risk of injury. In automotive markets, demand for security and safety glass will be driven by increased use of laminated safety glass in side and rear windows and sunroofs. This will offer vehicle occupants greater protection from ejection in rollover accidents, as well as better protection from carjacking and gsmash and grabh robberies.
Increasingly, the individual properties exhibited by advanced flat glass products (improved solar control, safety, security, ease-ofcleaning, etc.) are melding, resulting in such products as security glass with low-e or other solar control features; and selfcleaning solar control glass. As the lines between traditional product groupings continue to blur, demand for these new, multifunctional advanced glass products will expand.
Industry composition
The US advanced flat glass industry is composed of a small group of basic float glass producers, and a much larger group of fabricators. The former operate integrated facilities that produce both basic float glass and a wide variety of advanced products; the latter purchase basic float glass and concentrate entirely on higher value added products.
Study coverage
These and other findings are examined in Advanced Flat Glass, a new study from The Freedonia Group. This US study provides historical data through 2003 plus forecasts to 2008 and 2013 in US dollars for advanced flat glass products by type and market. In addition, the study assesses the macroeconomic environment, analyzes competitive materials and technology, evaluates market share data and profiles over 25 industry players. |
