Global Glass Demand Rate Grew Fast than GDP

Total production of glass exceeded €23.5 by 56 million tons around world in 2014. Over last 20 years, from a global view, the glass demand rate grew fast than GDP. The contemporary architects and vehicle designers apply more and more glass on buildings and vehicles, while the modern glass becomes more versatile and multiplex. In a long term view, the demand of glass will grow at 4% annually even now though a little bit regression. One of impetus to the demand growth of glass was driven by economic growth, and other driven factor that were legislation for safety and standards for energy saving.

Most of flat glasses are applied to the constructions, approximately 83%, 7% used in vehicle, and 10% are assembled into solar energy, household applications, and home furniture etc.

High concentration in global vehicle glass industry. 75% demand of glass was from Europe, China and North America. Nippon Sheet Glass, Asahi Glass Co, SAINT-GOBAIN & Guardian Industries account for 80% production of float glass around world (excluded the Chinese top float glass production). In addition, Nippon Sheet Glass, Asahi Glass Co, SAINT-GOBAIN and their strategic partners supply over 70% of vehicle glass in the world. 

The glass packing industry is centralized in the conventional market, such as Europe, American, and other developed countries, where these areas have large consumption in can food, beverage and alcohol that they have the largest demand glass packing market.

From the aspect of industry, the international glass packing companies are concentrated in western countries, but highly decentralized in out of western countries. The global top glass packing producers, such as OI Corporation & AnchorGlass from America, Saint-Goblin from France, Ardagh from Ireland, Turkish company Sisecam, German company Gerresheimer Group and so on, those sales totally accounted for 80%-90% in western areas, and 43% in globe. However, in the Asian pacific and Latin American areas, there are a number of regional producers which are growing rapidly.