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World demand for flat glass is forecast to rise more than 4 percent per year to nearly 4 billion square meters in 2004, with a market value of over $40 billion.

Demand for flat glass in the United States is forecast to rise three percent per year to almost seven billion square feet in 2005, valued at $9.1 billion.

Japan's largest glass maker, Asahi Glass Co Ltd, slashed its earnings forecast for 2001/02 on Monday to a loss of nine billion yen - its first-ever net loss for a business year.