Automotive Glazing Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Polycarbonate, Tempered & Laminated Glass), By Application, By End-Use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global automotive glazing market size was estimated at USD 23.05 billion in 2016. Growing demand for lightweight automobile components with superior impact resistance and corrosion protection is expected to propel growth. In addition, increasing popularity of cars designed with sunroof systems is anticipated to influence the industry on a positive note.

Product variation in terms of impact resistance, colors, and weight are expected to be the key parameters influencing the buyer’s decision. Initiatives taken by the players to modify glazing systems using innovative materials, which improves product stability in extreme weather conditions and imparts excellent mechanical resistance are likely to drive industry growth.

Technological advancements pertaining to the use of new raw materials such as polycarbonate to replace traditional glass is expected to propel industry growth. However, high costs coupled with regulations prohibiting the use of polycarbonate in the U.S. and European countries is expected to affect the growth over the forecast period.

The major glazing manufacturers have well established long-term contracts with the auto OEMs to sustain their buyer base, which offers them a competitive advantage over the small players. The widespread geographical reach of these giants along with a well-built distribution channel is expected to strengthen their footprints in the industry.

Rising demand for lightweight auto-components owing to the surge in demand for high-efficiency passenger cars with superior performance is expected to propel growth. Rising auto- maker’s focus to use polycarbonate owing to their superior corrosion and heat resistance, favorable optic properties is likely to drive glazing manufacturers towards this product.

The various regulations pertaining to the product include UN Regulation R43, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) 11, FMVSS 212, and FMVSS 219, FMVSS 214. These regulations specify thickness, flatness, curvature, size, and fabrication details to be covered during automobile glazing.

Product Insights

Tempered glass, laminated glass, and polycarbonate are the three key materials used for automotive glazing as of now. The laminated glass is primarily used for windshield while tempered and polycarbonate are used for application in sidelites, rear windshield, and sunroof of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.

Laminated glass accounted for 45% of the overall revenue generated by the industry in 2016. The product exhibits high impact resistance and improved safety properties and is widely used in front windshields. However, it does not assist in passenger evacuation during road fatalities thereby restraining its industry growth in sidelites.

The market for tempered glass in automotive glazing application was valued at 10.35 billion in 2016. The product is expected to witness growth over the projected period owing to its ability to shatter into small pieces on accidents thereby preventing the risk of injury and ease in safe passenger evacuation.

Polycarbonates are increasingly being used in the automotive industry owing to its high impact resistance, heat resistance, and easy to shape flexibility properties. These superior properties assist in reducing the overall weight of the vehicle and enhance fuel efficiency. However, the high cost of polycarbonate is expected to hamper the overall industry growth.

Application Insights

In 2016, front windshield was the largest application segment and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2017 to 2025 owing to demand smart glass technology embedded on windshields. Furthermore, rising demand for better aesthetics by consumers and change in styling trends in passenger cars is expected to have a positive impact on the industry trend.

Sidelites, which are primarily manufactured using tempered glass accounted for over 25% of the overall industry revenue in 2016. Rising road fatalities has driven the need for stronger glass for side windows in automobiles. Furthermore, use of laminated glass in sidelites, which imparts high impact and fire resistance properties is expected to augment the growth.

Low cost and enhanced safety of tempered glass in comparison to its counterparts are expected to drive its demand in sidelite applications. Manufacturers are also using laminated glass for the rear windshield for additional safety and easy damage repair, which is likely to have a positive impact on the automotive glazing market growth.

The sunroofs segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.7 % from 2017 to 2025 owing to rising demand for comfort, superior illumination, and air circulation in automobiles. The increasing penetration of built-in and panoramic sunroof systems in mid-segment cars is expected to expedite the growth in sunroofs over the forecast period.

End-use Insights

The passenger car segment has been dominating the industry and accounted for over 75% of the overall revenue. This growth is attributed to rising demand for superior car aesthetics and advanced safety systems. Furthermore, increasing use of passenger cars across emerging economies of Asia Pacific is expected to bolster growth.

Increasing demand for in-built and glass sunroofs in passenger cars is expected to drive the glazing market. Furthermore, the rise in the use of electric vehicles is also expected to augment growth. The need for the technology is expected to grow the highest in Asia Pacific owing to rapid growth of the automotive production sector in the region.

High demand for fuel efficiency and lightweight components in LCV is expected to ascend industry growth. Furthermore, better protection from temperature changes coupled with improved acoustics and aerodynamics offered by advanced glazing products is likely to open new avenues for industry growth.

The HCV segment is expected to grow at a significant rate over the projected period owing to improved strength and stiffness associated with glass and polycarbonates. These systems are part of the vehicle body and contribute a significant percentage to the overall automobile weight. As a result, the demand for lightweight materials such as polycarbonate is expected to grow.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.5% from 2017 to 2025 owing to high automotive production activities in the region. Thailand, China, and India are the key markets for this region driven by various factors including high automobile manufacturing, low transportation charges, and operating costs, low labor charges, and land availability.

North America is expected to grow at a moderate rate, wherein LCV is likely to be the fastest-growing segment. The region is the largest LCV manufacturing market, and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period, thus impacting the market trend on a positive note.

Germany was the most significant market in Europe and produced over 5,746,800 cars in 2016, which directly influenced the demand for glazing. High demand for innovative glazing systems by the European manufacturers to produce aesthetically appealing luxury cars is expected compel manufacturers to invest in R&D to improve product design and quality.

The industry in Brazil was valued at USD 937.4 million in 2016 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.3% from 2017 to 2025. Increasing investments by international companies including Renault-Nissan, Toyota, and Group PSA for production expansion in the region is expected to drive the industry growth.

Competitive Insights

The manufacturers are expected to invest more in production capacity expansion to meet the growing consumer demand and strengthen their position in the industry. Initiatives such as USD 163.2 million investment by Asahi Glass Company to set up the float glass manufacturing facility in southeast Brazil is expected to accelerate the industry growth.

In September 2017, AGP eGlass showcased, its latest innovation, ‘Ultralite Plus’ and ‘Impact Plus’, which features Corning’s Gorilla Glass for automotive applications. Ultraplus is a lightweight hybrid automotive glazing solution, which offers up to 35% weight reduction. Whereas, Impact Plus, offers trice the stone impact resistance than the conventional glass.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global automotive glazing market on the basis of product, application, end-use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Million Meter Square; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Laminated Glass

  • Tempered Glass

  • Polycarbonate

• Application Outlook (Volume, Million Meter Square; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Front Windshield

  • Rear Windshield

  • Sidelites

  • Sunroof

• End-Use Outlook (Volume, Million Meter Square; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Passenger Cars

  • LCV

  • HCV

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Meter Square; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • The U.K.

    • France

    • Spain

    • Russia

  • Asia Pacific

    • India

    • China

    • Japan

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa