 |
|
| Industry
growth has been fuelled by an explosion in technology, requiring glass manufacturers,
processors and merchants to satisfy the market’s ever-increasing need for innovative
solutions. |
|
 |
With a history of over 3,400 years, Glass is
still the material of the future!
Clay
cuneiform tablet from Mesopotamia 1400 BC – This is a recipe for two types of glass
and is believed to be the earliest written reference for glass manufacture. |
The Future of Glass
Architects are striving to maximise natural
daylight by designing larger glazed areas in roofs and facades, with the same principle
applying to the interior where the Architect and Interior Designer call on glass more and
more to create light and space. Furthermore,
there is a noticeable increase in demand for new, creative applications for artistic and
decorative glass.
Throughout Europe legislation and a
natural desire for energy efficiency is driving sales of insulated glazing units through
the roof. The Kyoto agreements are taking
this one stage further into coated glass.
|
 |
| Health
and Safety requirements in building regulations are demanding higher specifications for
fire protection, toughened and laminated glass. Vehicle
production has increased 2% per year for the last 10 years and today’s car typically
has 20% more glass than 20 years ago – and it’s laminated, has solar
controllability, integrated antennas for radios, mobile phones, sat. nav. systems,
heat/de-mist/de-ice elements, rain sensors – the list goes on and adds value at every
stage. |
 |
Demand At All Time High
With demand for Glass growing at an average rate of 5% per
year, production capacity is running virtually flat out.
The equivalent of one and a half new float lines per year are required in
Europe alone just to keep up with demand – hardly surprising as Europe is the largest
single market sector…The industry is buoyant! |
| The
simple facts of the matter are that whilst growth in the glass industry is substantial,
the growth in the high value processed glass product sector is little short of phenomenal,
from 34% (in value) in 1995 to a massive 48% and is expected to continue rising in the
foreseeable future. |
|
|
