Industry Outlook

New Study Predicts Strong Growth in Hurricane and 
Solar Control Glass through 2012

A new study, Advanced Flat Glass, from the Cleveland-based industry market research firm The Freedonia Group Inc., projects demand for advanced flat glass to increase 5 percent annually to $7.2 billion in 2012. The study attributes a variety of factors to this increase in demand, including the recovery of residential building construction activity from a weak 2007 base, ongoing rapid growth in a variety of emerging technologies and strong gains in laminated glass.

According to the study, security and safety glass products, including laminated and tempered flat glass, represent the largest group of advanced flat glass materials. Consumption of hurricane glass, specifically, is forecasted to advance due to regulations in hurricane-prone areas and increasing consumer acceptance of the product. 

The study also notes that solar control flat glass, the second largest group of advanced flat glass products, will continue to grow. Low-E glass comprises the largest component of demand for solar control glass, as it has become well established as a primary component of insulating glass units. Reflective glass, used largely in nonresidential construction, is predicted to record below-average growth due to competition from low-E. www.freedoniagroup.com 

Solar Control Glass Demand in million dollars (Top) Safety and Security Glass Demand in million dollars (bottom)


April 2008 Producer Price Index Decreases Slightly
The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics has released its April 2008 producer price index (ppi) for flat glass. This month’s ppi stands at 112.8, decreasing slightly from the March ppi of 113.8.

USG
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