Global Market Structure

The global market for flat glass in 2005 was approximately 41 million tonnes. This is dominated by Europe, China and North America, which together account for around three-quarters of demand. The significance of China as a market for glass has been increasing rapidly since the early 1990s as the country has become more open to foreign investment and the economy has expanded. In the early 1990s China accounted for about one fifth of world glass demand, but now accounts for over one third.