Float Glass Market Drivers and Forecasts by 2028

The float glass market was valued at US$ 73,897.83 million in 2020 and is projected to reach US$ 1,07,991.35 million by 2028; it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.0% from 2021 to 2028.

Float glass is an extremely smooth and distortion free glass which is being used in various end-use industries such as building and construction, automotive, electronics, solar, among others. It is basically made by pouring the molten glass from the furnace into a chamber which contains a bed of molten tin. The increase in the use of float glass in interior design and modern architecture has played a major role in increasing the demand of float glass and are used in other building and construction applications which includes ceiling, flooring, reflective, coated, windows, mirrors, tabletops, and insulated glass. In addition, the growing use of float in automotive applications is expected to drive the float glass industry over the forecasted period.

In 2020, Asia Pacific accounted for the largest share in the global float glass market. The increasing development of the automotive sector and the building and construction sector is driving the demand for float glasses in the region. The vast established automotive sector in countries such as China and India is also increasing the demand for float glasses in these countries. Along with this, the development and the increased penetration of solar industry in Asia Pacific is driving the growth of the float glass market in the region.

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Float Glass Market: Strategic Insights

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The shutdown of various manufacturing plants and factories in North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, South America, and the Middle East & Africa due to the COVID-19 pandemic has hampered the global supply chain and manufacturing processes, delivery schedules, and product sales. In addition, the restrictions imposed by countries in Europe, Asia, and North America are affecting business collaboration and partnership opportunities. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the float glass market. The disruptions in the production and supply chain have had a negative impact on the float glass market. The glass shortfall is expected to last until 2021, causing disruptions in a variety of businesses. Glass supply is tightening and has become more costly to purchase because of a various issue, including the worldwide pandemic and international tariffs. As a result of the global pandemic, many factories and manufacturers have had to suspend or slow down glass production, making it exceedingly difficult to satisfy current demands. Restarting the factories after being closed or producing at a low level for an extended period of time may be exceptionally challenging, especially if the companies aren't operating at full capacity owing to health and safety regulations. Further, with COVID-19 vaccinations being a high priority for both the public and the health business, the availability of glass has been redirected to the cause which has led to the unavailability of glass for other industries, thus creating shortage of glass in the market.

Market Insights

Increase in Demand from Building and Construction Industry

Float glass is manufactured through a melting process, where recycled glass, lime, silica sand, potash, and soda are melted in a furnace and floated onto a bed of molten tin. Float glass is being increasingly used in the building & construction industry, which includes the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Float glass has a high degree of light transmission, the ability to produce a range of colors and opacities, and good chemical inertness, which increased its demand from the construction industry. The float glass is used for windows and doors in the residential sector, serving both aesthetic and functional applications. It is also being increasingly utilized in interior design and modern architecture. In the commercial sector, float glass is in demand as it provides an attractive and easy-to-maintain exterior surface. Float glass offers light and heat transmittance, influencing the amount of heating and cooling required inside a building according to different seasons and climates. The float glass is also being used as display windows in the retail outlets due to its transparent nature, hardness, and ease of cleaning. Due to the rise in environmental concerns, there has been an increased demand for float glass in the construction industry as it helps in achieving Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certification for residential and commercial constructions. The rise in consumer awareness about the safety of buildings and an increased focus on maintaining the government's building codes are expected to increase the demand for float glass further. Thus, the increasing demand for float glass from the building & construction industry will fuel the growth of the float glass market during the forecast period.

Type Insights

Based on type, the float glass market is segmented into clear glass, tinted glass, textured glass, and others. The clear glass segment held the largest share in the market in 2020. Clear glass is a float glass, which is transparent and free from defects and optical distortions. Clear float glass provides superior quality when compared to other types of float glasses due to its unique characteristics, such as improved surface finishing, uniform thickness, high optical quality, flatness, and bright appearance. It is applied in areas requiring high visibility and clarity, such as windows, doors, mirrors, greenhouse, skylights, appliances, and solarium. As clear glass is free from any optical distortions or small defects, it allows a perfect view. The glass is also used for further processing to produce other glass types.

A few of the key market players operating in the float glass market are AGC Inc.; Nippon Sheet Glass Co., LTD (NSG Group); Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited; SCHOTT AG; Guardian Industries Holdings; Cardinal Glass Industries, Inc.; China Glass Holdings Limited; Shenzhen Sun Global Glass Co. Ltd.; Saint Gobain Glass India; and Qingdao Migo Glass Co. Ltd. Major players in the market are adopting strategies such as mergers & acquisitions and product launches to expand the geographic presence and consumer base.  

Float Glass Market Regional Insights

The regional trends and factors influencing the Float Glass Market throughout the forecast period have been thoroughly explained by the analysts at Insight Partners. This section also discusses Float Glass Market segments and geography across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South and Central America.

Float Glass Market Report Scope

Float Glass Market Players Density: Understanding Its Impact on Business Dynamics

The Float Glass Market market is growing rapidly, driven by increasing end-user demand due to factors such as evolving consumer preferences, technological advancements, and greater awareness of the product's benefits. As demand rises, businesses are expanding their offerings, innovating to meet consumer needs, and capitalizing on emerging trends, which further fuels market growth.

Market players density refers to the distribution of firms or companies operating within a particular market or industry. It indicates how many competitors (market players) are present in a given market space relative to its size or total market value.

Major Companies operating in the Float Glass Market are:

1. AGC Inc
2. CARDINAL GLASS INDUSTRIES, INC
3. Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd
4. China Glass Holdings Limited
5. Guardian Industries Holdings

Disclaimer: The companies listed above are not ranked in any particular order.

Report Spotlights 

• Progressive trends in the float glass industry to help players develop effective long-term strategies
• Business growth strategies adopted by companies to secure growth in developed and developing markets
• Quantitative analysis of the global float glass market from 2019 to 2028
• Estimation of the demand for float glass across various industries
• Porter analysis to illustrate the efficacy of buyers and suppliers operating in the industry to predict market growth
• Recent developments to understand the competitive market scenario and the demand for float glass  
• Market trends and outlook coupled with factors driving and restraining the growth of the float glass market
• Understanding regarding the strategies that underpin commercial interest with regard to global float glass market growth, aiding in the decision-making process
• Float glass market size at various nodes of market
• Detailed overview and segmentation of the global float glass market as well as its industry dynamics
• Float Glass market size in various regions with promising growth opportunities

Float Glass Market, by Type

• Clear Glass
• Tinted Glass
• Textured Glass
• Others

Float Glass Market, by Application

• Automotive and Transportation
• Building and Construction
• Electronics
• Others

Company Profiles

• AGC Inc.
• Nippon Sheet Glass Co., LTD (NSG Group)
• Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited
• SCHOTT AG
• Guardian Industries Holdings
• Cardinal Glass Industries, Inc.
• China Glass Holdings Limited
• Shenzhen Sun Global Glass Co. Ltd.
• Saint Gobain Glass India
• Qingdao Migo Glass Co. Ltd