Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Advanced Flat Glass Market

Gains will derive from the recovery of the US economy from the recession, which will spark a rebound in new housing construction and motor vehicle production. Both of these key markets for advanced flat glass contracted sharply from 2007 through 2009, reflecting turmoil in financial markets, the restructuring of the US auto industry and the collapse of the housing market. As the economy in general and the housing and motor vehicle markets in particular recover from these events, demand for advanced flat glass products will benefit. 

Safety, security glass to remain dominant segment 

Safety and security glass will continue to dominate overall demand in both volume and value terms, with the majority of demand utilized in vehicular markets. Consumption will benefit from rebounding motor vehicle production and the increasing replacement of traditional tempered glass with laminated glass, particularly in sun roofs and side lites. In architectural markets, demand will benefit from strong growth in new housing construction, coupled with expanding use of laminated glass products such as hurricane glass, ballistic glass and burglary resistant glass.

Solar control glass to be fastest growing products

Solar control glass will post the most rapid value gains through 2014, with demand benefiting from growth in new housing construction and expanding use of products designed to improve energy efficiency, such as low-emissivity glass and smart glass products. Supported by government incentives and the promise of lower heating and cooling costs, products such as low-e glass are becoming the standard in insulated window units for both the new construction and replacement markets. Smart glass products, while still largely in the development stage, will post outsized growth as these products begin to enter the market. In vehicular markets, demand will benefit from the increasing use of electrochromic mirrors, which continue to become more advanced multi-purpose display features on a growing number of motor vehicle models.

Heads-up display windshields to pace other types

Other advanced flat glass products include well established products such as ultraclear glass and glass used in furniture and appliance markets, as well as new products, such as self-cleaning glass and heads-up display windshields. The latter will continue to have the greater growth opportunities, albeit from relatively small bases, as these technologies gain acceptance. Heads-up displays will benefit from the increasing sophistication and electronics content of motor vehicle cabins, offering drivers more information and improving vehicle safety. Self-cleaning glass will increase its penetration of architectural markets as more builders and home-owners come to accept the advantages of the technology.

Study coverage

This industry study presents historical demand data (1999, 2004 and 2009) plus forecasts for 2014 and 2019 by product (e.g., safety and security glass, solar control glass) and market (e.g., vehicular, architectural). The study also considers market environment factors, evaluates company market share and profiles industry competitors, including AFG Industries (Asahi Glass), Cardinal Glass, Guardian Industries, PPG Industries and Pilkington.