Float glass is the largest process type, accounting for a lion’s share of the global flat glass demand. In developed markets like Europe and the United States, vehicle manufacturers are gravitating towards the use of laminated side glazings, which enhance security as well as vehicle comfort. Laminated glazings lead to larger volume of glass usage as two layers of glass are used in place of the previously used monolithic side glazings.
The global float glass industry is highly consolidated mainly due to its capital-intensive nature. Four behemoths, notably Asahi Glass Co., Ltd., Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., Saint-Gobain Glass India Ltd. and Guardian Industries Corp., dominate the marketplace. Other major market participants include, among others, AGC Glass Company North America, AGC Glass Europe, Asahi India Glass Ltd., PT Asahimas Flat Glass Tbk, Compagnie De Saint-Gobain, Central Glass Co., Ltd., Carlex Glass Company, Gujarat Guardian Limited, Pilkington Group Limited, Trakya Cam Sanayii A.S., and Taiwan Glass Group.
In-demand report “Float Glass: Market Research Report” drawn up by Global Industry Analysts presents an insightful analysis of the worldwide market for float glass by the following end-use segments: construction (residential and commercial) and automotive (OE glazing and automotive glass replacement). Separate comprehensive analytics, including annual estimates (historical and current) and forecasts to 2018, are provided for the key geographic markets such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Europe, the Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Latin America. Furthermore, the study presents an in-depth assessment of major market trends and developments, canvasses the competitive landscape, profiles 109 top and niche market players, as well as discusses M&As and other strategic industry activities.
