GLASS AND CERAMICS MARKET ANALYSIS

Ceramics and glass are two of the most important materials used in day-to-day lives. It is an amorphous or non-crystalline solid material, which is generally brittle and optically transparent. Glass can be made of different classes of materials including polymers, molecular liquids, ionic metals, and metallic alloys. Glass finds applications in various industries including building & construction, manufacturing doors, windows, floors, tables, panels, cupboards, and lighting systems. Moreover, glass is also used in thermal insulator as flat glass, container glass, reinforcement material, or even as optoelectric material.

On the contrary, ceramics is a nonmetallic, inorganic material, similar to glass, which is manufactured through subsequent cooling and heating. Most ceramic materials have a partly crystalline or crystalline structure, unlike glass. Therefore, technically, ceramics crystalline inorganic materials, whereas non-crystalline would be considered as glass. There are various types of ceramic materials available such as porcelain, nuclear fuel, earthenware, statuettes, building tiles, and more. They are used in various industries including tiles, sanitary ware, medical ceramics, refractory ceramic products, electronic ceramic products, and more. The medical industry along with the automotive and construction industry is the primary end user of ceramics. The global ceramic industry was projected to reach US$ 410 billion by 2019.

Market Outlook

Global glass and ceramics market size is expected to expand significantly during the forecast period, owing to increasing demand for both glass and ceramics products. The demand for glass is expected to witness a significant upsurge, owing to increased use in various applications such as anti-bacterial glass, glass packaging, glassware, sol-gel processing, and glass reinforced plastics. Moreover, the demand for ceramics has also increased, due to increasing use of fireproof ceramics, ceramic paper, and technical and advanced ceramics. Furthermore, key players in the market are adopting growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, a partnership to solidify their place in the market.

Growing construction industry around the world poses an excellent opportunity for market players to enhance their revenue. This is increasing the demand for glass and ceramics products and will subsequently drive the global glass and ceramics market growth in the near future.

Market Regional Analysis

Asia Pacific glass and ceramics market is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period. This is due to growing construction industry in emerging economies such as India and China. Furthermore, North America and Europe are expected to witness significant growth in the glass and ceramics market during the forecast period.

Market Players

Key players operating in the global glass and ceramics market are Saint-Gobain, H&R Johnson, Eid Parry, Hindustan Sanitaryware, Bell Ceramics, and Nippon Sheet Glass.

Glass and Ceramics Market Key Developments 

• In January 2013, H&R Johnson, India entered into a joint venture with Small Tiles Pvt. Ltd., a manufacturer of ceramic glazed floor tiles. As per the venture, Small Tiles Pvt. Ltd. will manufacture and supply tiles for H&R Johnson. This merger helped the company in fulfilling the increasing demand for tiles in the Indian market.
• In June 2018, Saint-Gobain, in Germany signed a contract with HyGear, an onsite gas generation specialist for the purpose of supplying Hy.REC mix gas recovery systems. This agreement is expected to help the company in recovering the gas mixtures from the tin bath in float glass production in a cost effective way.
• In February 2019, Saint-Gobain opened a new flat glass production line in Chennai, India. This production facility was built within the Saint-Gobain World Glass Complex and manufactures clear, tinted and solar-control reflective glass. This new production unit is expected to help the company in catering the increasing demand for glass during the forecast period.