Solar Control Glass Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Residential, Commercial, Automotive), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, LATAM, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2016 - 2024

Industry Insights

The global solar control glass market size was valued at USD 4.2 billion in 2015 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 9.3% over the forecast period. Solar control glass is a new offering by the glass industry that reflects a large amount of sun’s radial heat and aids in keeping the indoors cooler as compared to normal float type.

The market is expected to grow significantly due to increased demand for solar control glass in commercial buildings. Rising awareness regarding carbon dioxide emissions from air conditioners has resulted in increased use of solar control glass in construction projects such as the construction of Gibraltar Airport and the Onyx Hotel in Hamburg.

Growing emphasis to reduce carbon dioxide emissions is likely to have a positive influence on the global industry growth. For instance, mandatory emission reduction targets set by the European Union legislation for new cars are expected to have a positive impact on the demand for solar glass.

The product also provides a necessary cooling effect in extreme temperatures, which makes it suitable for usage in all climatic conditions. Its ability to provide sufficient cooling is expected to boost demand in tropical countries including Brazil, Singapore, and Malaysia.

Major manufacturers such as Saint-Gobain and AGC have been investing in raw material rich countries such as Morocco and other African countries to gain a competitive edge in the industry. This strategy will help manufacturers to gain access to new markets and reduce the production costs.

Application Insights

Commercial buildings was the largest application segment, accounting for 56.7% share of the total volume in 2015. The growth in this application can be attributed to increase in the number of commercial buildings and rising concerns over high air conditioning costs.

Automotive is expected to register a CAGR of 8.4% in terms of volume over the forecast period. Integration of this product into vehicle design by major car manufacturers such as Ford-Chrysler USA LLC and Mercedes is expected to propel the segment growth.

The European Automobile Manufacturers’Association (ACEA) has specified the usage of solar control glass in automobiles in a report, which states various benefits of the product such as reduction of heat load on the vehicle, substantially reducing the need for A/C. This, in turn, results in higher mileage and reduced fuel consumption.

Residential buildings was the second largest application segment. Consumption of the product in residential buildings is majorly observed in Europe and North America. Demand for this product is expected to increase steadily in Asia Pacific and MEA on account of rising residential building construction projects in these regions.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing regional solar control glass market with a volume-based CAGR of over 12.0% over the forecast period. The growth in this region is attributed to changing climatic conditions and increase in the number of residential and commercial buildings. Thriving infrastructure investment in this region is expected to boost demand for this product.

Europe dominates the global demand for the product due to early adoption and increased usage in applications such as residential buildings and commercial buildings. The growth in North America can be attributed to positive construction and automotive industry outlook. Demand is expected to grow substantially in the Middle East owing to various upcoming construction projects. Latin America is expected to grow at a slower pace due to growing inflation and unstable political situations.

Solar Control Glass Market Share Insights

The market is highly consolidated due to the presence of few manufacturers such as NSG, AGC Europe, and Saint-Gobain. Key players currently produce solar control glass specifically for architectural applications on a larger scale. Manufacturers are now focusing on developing alliances with automotive manufacturers to promote the usage of the product in automobiles. Other players in the market include PPG Industries Inc.; Guardian Glass; Asahi India; CSG Architectural Glass; Arcon Flachglass Veredlung Gmbh Co. & KG; Sisecam Flat Glass; Cardinal Glass; and Euroglas GmbH.

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