Flat Glass Market Overview 

The global market for flat glass in the European Union represented approximately 8.5 million tonnes in 2005, reaching 9 million tonnes in 2006. In volume, demand is growing at a rate of 2.5% to 3% per annum.

Of the total output, around 95% is high-quality float glass that will be subsequently processed by laminating, toughening, coating, silvering and assembling into insulating glass units.

The remainder is sheet glass, rolled glass, and lower-quality float glass.

Between 80% and 85% of the total output is used for building and construction products, and 15% to 20% for automotive and transport applications.