Construction Glass Market Size by Type (Special Glass, Low-E Glass), Chemical Composition (Soda Lime, Potash-Lime, Potash-Lead), Manufacturing Process (Flat Process, Rolled/Sheet Process), Application (Commercial, Residential) - Global Industry Share and Growth Forecast to 2030

Market Overview

The construction glass market size was $93.96 billion in 2021, and it is expected to reach $161.46 billion in 2030, with a growth rate of 6.20% during 2021–2030. This is ascribed to the escalating count of government-led infrastructure projects, economic growth in different nations, and burgeoning demand for housing due to the booming urbanization rate and population.

Construction glass is gaining popularity as an appropriate alternative to conventional building materials, such as bricks, wood, and polycarbonate (PC), owing to its high strength, cost-effectiveness, environmental-friendliness, and energy efficiency. In addition to this, the presence of several manufacturers in the U.S. and many European countries, including France and Germany, and the amplifying building activities are set to drive the growth in these regions.

The rising popularity of green buildings worldwide, on account of the strong need to reduce carbon emissions, itself due to the rising concerns over global warming, is revolutionizing built structures. Glass plays an imperative role in constructing and designing green buildings, wherein it is used to enhance aesthetics, improve thermal performance, and establish a comfortable environment for the occupants. It is weather-resistant and chemical-resistant and helps in the transmission of up to 80% of the natural light.

Construction companies and architects are using various kinds of solar-control glass, such as double- and triple-glazed, in their designs, which has created an opportunity for the manufacturers to contribute in environmental conservation.

Furthermore, players are focusing on developing products that are low-reflective, self-cleaning, and sound-reflective. Such features enhance the application of the products in the real-estate business. The boom in the residential, commercial, and government sectors, correction in the price after a long time, positive government initiatives, net-zero campaigns, industrial consolidation, and technological revolution are taking market players to new heights.

Special Category To Dominate Market

The larger construction glass market share was held by the special category in 2021. This is imputable to the growing application of flat glass in commercial and residential industries due to its natural insulation and protection from UV rays. The most-frequently used type of flat glass is float glass, which has now replaced conventional materials in various applications, including mirror glass, home and office doors, and glass partitions between the teller counters at banks. This material performs several functions, from heat insulation to soundproofing and from safety applications to solar protection, which strengthens the demand for it.

Moreover, the laminated variant is widely used across various applications, including facades, floors, roofs, sunspaces, aquaria, bridges, and staircases. Due to their noise-insulation properties, it is extensively used in hotels, airport terminals, recording studios, and other places.

Product Demand in Commercial Applications To Escalate Faster in Coming Years

Among the applications, the commercial category accounted for the larger share in 2021, and it is projected to record the higher CAGR during the forecast period, of 7.3%. Architects and designers are progressively using these products in skyscrapers due to their enhanced adaptability and versatility.

Further, glass offers dynamic interior design solutions, which maximize the space utilization and the impression of light, and embolden the color inside the building structure. Therefore, with countries focusing strongly on infrastructure projects, including several multi-billion-dollar projects, the demand for this amorphous material continues to boom. For instance, in the U.A.E., forthcoming projects, such as Qiddiya and NEOM City, are projected to consume a massive volume of glass.

Consumption of Soda Lime Boosts Market Growth

Soda lime recorded the largest share in the construction glass market demand in 2021, and it is expected to be dominant in the long run too. Soda lime glass has a low cost, fabrication simplicity, low melting point, and resistance to de-vitrification and water. Therefore, it is used in many applications, for instance, windows, buildings’ plate glass, and exteriors, where high temperature resistance and chemical stability are required. Further, it is used in the manufacturing of canopies, shop fronts, glass blocks, railing partitions, and other elements.

Float Process To Record Faster Growth during Forecast Period

The float manufacturing process is expected to register the higher CAGR, over the forecast period. With its good chemical inertness, high degree of light transmission, and ability to be produced in a range of colors and opacities, float glass is widely preferred in the manufacturing sector. ​It is widely used for the smaller windows in residential buildings, which fuels the float manufacturing process.

Growing Construction Industry Supports Market Boom

The investment in the residential sector, supported by favorable government measures and housebuilding programs, as well as those in the civic infrastructure and the energy and utilities sector act, as the major drivers of the construction output. Further, the infrastructure development in the transportation space provides an impetus for the growth of the industry. For instance, in June 2016, $8.0 billion was allocated for the redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport, a project in which a new airport is being constructed next to the already existing airport, which will foster the use of glass.

Hence, the refurbishment of existing buildings contributes significantly in the consumption of this material worldwide, which is largely driven by the requirement for higher energy efficiency. The surging awareness about the advantages associated with the products in residential buildings has increased the sales.

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APAC Is Principal Revenue Contributor

In 2021, APAC’s share was more than 40% of the global revenue, and this region is projected to continue its industry dominance in the long run. The robust industrialization, coupled with the proliferating building activities in developing countries, such as India and China, and the rising eco-friendly material requirement are the major contributors to the industry growth.

Moreover, companies are concentrating on adopting a range of strategies to gain a competitive advantage. For instance, in March 2022, a France-based manufacturer, Saint-Gobain, invested $67.5 million (INR 500 crore) to establish a new float glass facility and integrated window line at its World Glass Campus in Chennai, India.

Moreover, in January 2022, China Glass Holdings Limited announced the 100% ownership of the Orda float glass manufacturing facility in Kazakhstan. It is an advanced industrial facility using technology supplied by Stewart Engineers that will produce 600 metric tons per day of architectural and automotive glass.

Moreover, Europe is expected to witness a significant growth rate in the long run. This is credited to the technological advancement in the industry and further value addition in the products. The European infrastructure sector is shifting from double-glazed to triple-glazed products, for reduced heat loss and better energy efficiency.

In 2021, the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomed the EU’s policies that support the industry in accomplishing the transition toward a climate-neutral society and identified the EU's Renovation Wave as an excellent source of business opportunities for products, attracting investments, while contributing to the depletion of CO2 emissions from buildings.

Furthermore, North America is projected to record moderate growth in the coming years. The limited mortgage rates, strong demand for larger living spaces, and growing housing inventory are the major factors fortifying the residential sector, which would further stimulate the demand for these materials. Moreover, the resumption of the delayed projects, coupled with the rising focus on home refurbishment and the enormous government infrastructure investments over the coming years, is likely to support the commercial industry, which, in turn, would inflate the use of these products in the region.

Key Players in Construction Glass Market Are:

• Asahi India Glass Ltd.
• Guardian Industries
• Schott AG
• Central Glass Co. Ltd.
• Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd.
• Sisecam Group
• Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited
• China Glass Holdings Limited
• Bendheim
• Saint-Gobain

Global Construction Glass Market Size Breakdown by Segment

The study offers a comprehensive market segmentation analysis along with market estimation for the period 2017-2030.

Based on Type

• Special Glass
• Low-E Glass

Based on Chemical Composition

• Soda Lime
• Potash-Lime
• Potash-Lead

Based on Manufacturing Process

• Float Process
• Rolled/Sheet Process

Based on Application

• Commercial
• Residential

Geographical Analysis

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France
  • Germany
  • Spain
  • U.K.
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
• Middle East and Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa