North America Flat Glass Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

North America Flat Glass Market Outlook

The North America flat glass market size was approximately USD 29.48 billion in 2023. The market is assessed to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% between 2024 and 2032, reaching a value of USD 41.13 billion by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• Flat glass represents one of the major segments of the glass industry based on end product.

• There is a renewed focus on the decarbonisation of flat glass manufacturing, which is accelerating cross-industry collaborations.

• The specialty glass for display applications also provides opportunities for the market expansion.

Flat glass, also known as sheet glass, is a type of glass that is initially prepared in plane form and can be bent later (after production) based on industry requirements. The glass is commonly used to prepare items like windows, transparent walls, windscreens, glass doors, and many more and finds applications in industries ranging from construction and electronics to automotive and solar.

The North America flat glass market is influenced by the region’s glass sector. Over the years, the glass industry in North America has evolved and continues to seek and develop new and improved products to maintain a strong position in the global market. The glass industry is a keystone of the US economy, with glass finding applications in a myriad of products due to its unique and desirable properties and cost-effectiveness. More efficient and productive methods are being adopted to increase the overall output and revenue, focusing on profitable international expansion. Innovations within the sector, such as the development of heat resistant glass; lightweight, break-resistant flat glass; and photosensitive glass, have been contributing to the development of the overall glass market.

Key Trends and Developments

Decarbonisation of the flat glass sector and technological advancements; growth of the construction industry; expanding applications in the solar sector; and increased demand for flat glass-based automotive components are the major trends impacting the North America flat glass market

North America Flat Glass Market Trends

The North America flat glass market is driven by various factors, including the rapid growth of the construction sector and increasing applications of flat glass in solar panels; favourable government policies for the development of solar energy generation; the growing emphasis on safety in automobiles; and innovations in glass production technology. In addition, there is a notable shift of interest towards sustainability, prompting leading companies to adopt eco-friendly practices.

There is a renewed focus on lowering carbon emissions generated as a result of glass manufacturing and thus, manufacturers are making considerable efforts to achieve the same. This includes the use of advanced technologies to make flat glass production more energy-efficient and to lower greenhouse gas emissions, aligning with the broader push for sustainability around the world. For instance, AGC and Saint Gobain’s collaboration announced in the first half of 2023 aims to boost the development of sustainable flat glass line in order to support carbon neutrality, providing a push for the necessary acceleration of the flat glass industry towards decarbonisation.

Market Segmentation

“North America Flat Glass Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

The construction sector accounts for the majority of the North America flat glass market share

The construction sector represents the leading end use category of flat glass and accounts for the majority of the market share. The growing demand for materials that offer improved durability and are low maintenance and affordable, serves as the driving force for the market expansion in the construction sector. The increasing incorporation of glass partitions in interior designing in likely to aid the North America flat glass market growth.

Moreover, with the growth of the solar market, the demand for glass and glass-based materials for solar power systems is likely to increase in the coming years. The other emerging applications of flat glass include its use in furniture, non-automotive transportation equipment, certain appliances, and value-added products like glass coatings that repel rain, offer solar control, and improve night-time visibility.

Competitive Landscape

The market players are focusing on making the process of flat glass production much more sustainable, driven by the growing need to lower environmental impact and reduce carbon emissions

Other notable players operating in the North America flat glass market include Vitro Architectural Glass, AGC Inc., and Corning Incorporated, among others. Several manufacturers are upgrading their existing facilities and incorporating the latest capabilities in order to innovate their offerings and meet evolving demands of consumers. The expansion of the solar energy sector further demands constant innovation.

In December 2023, NSG Group announced its plan to enhance transparent conductive oxide glass production capacity in the United States to support the growing solar market. According to the plan, a float line at the Pilkington North America Inc. Rossford, Ohio, will be upgraded with online coating capacity to start shipping TCO glass for solar panel production in the first quarter of 2025. The upgraded float line in Rossford will support the expansion strategy of First Solar Inc., which has a long-standing strategic partnership with NSG Group.

North America Flat Glass Market Analysis by Country

The flat glass market in North America is driven by the increasing product demand from major end use industries and the development of the glass industry, with significant contributions from the US and Canada. Continued expansion of the building construction sector and automotive industry supports the demand for flat glass.

In the United States, there is a growing trend towards larger homes with glass partitions for aesthetic and luxurious appeal, greater window area, and double or triple-paned insulating windows. Along with this, the increasing demand particularly from categories like SUVs, which demand a greater amount of glass per vehicle, further adds to the North America flat glass market development.

Key Highlights of the Report