U.S. demand for advanced flat glass products to reach $7 billion in 2014

U.S. demand for advanced flat glass products is projected to increase 9.1 percent annually to 745 million square feet in 2014, valued at $7.0 billion, according to The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.This growth represents a significant improvement over the 2004-09 period, when advanced flat glass consumption suffered from the combination of a weak economy, crisis in financial markets, the bursting of the housing bubble and a sharp downturn in motor vehicle production.Going forward, a rebound in residential construction and motor vehicle production from low 2009 levels will spark strong growth in demand for advanced flat glass products, according to the firm. These and other trends are presented in Advanced Flat Glass, a new study from The Freedonia Group.

Safety and security glass accounted for nearly three-fifths of demand in value terms in 2009, reflecting the widespread use of these products in motor vehicles (laminated windshields and tempered window glass) and in nonresidential construction (laminated security glass and tempered fire-rated glass).Growth in demand will be paced by safety glass used in vehicular markets and laminated hurricane glass, although the latter will remain a regional product.

Consumption of solar control products is forecast to increase more than12 percent annually from a weak 2009 base to $2.1 billion in 2014.Low-emissivity glass has emerged as the most widely used product in manufactured window units, particularly the double-pane units that now dominate residential window applications,according to the report.

Electrochromic mirrors comprise the largest smart glass product category and will post outsized growth due to a strong recovery in vehicle production and growing market penetration. Other smart glass products, such as electrochromic windows, suspended particle device windows and liquid crystal display windows, will make some market inroads, although demand will remain relatively small through 2014.Demand for other advanced flat glass products is projected to increase 7.7 percent annually.The largest single product, heads-up display glass, will post strong growth as advanced display systems become more widely used in vehicular markets.Self-cleaning glass will also record very strong gains through 2014, albeit from a relatively small 2009 base, the report states.

US ADVANCED FLAT GLASS DEMAND

(million dollars)

% Annual Growth

Item

2004

2009

2014

2004-09

2009-14

Advanced flat glass demand

5067

4045

7000

-4.4

11.6

Safety & security glass

3407

2389

4195

-6.9

11.9

Solar control glass

1215

1142

2060

-1.2

12.5

Other advanced glass

445

514

745

2.9

7.7