Easy-Clean Glass Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Easy-Clean Glass Market Overview

The Easy-Clean Glass Market size is forecasted to reach US$5.8 billion by 2027 after growing at a CAGR of 5.7% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Glass has a porous surface that over time can become filled with dirt and impart a dull appearance. Easy clean glass is made by applying a very thin coating, which chemically bonds with the surface of the glass, and fills the microscopic pores, thus forming an easy clean surface. This transparent coating completely adheres to the glass surface and provides protection that repels both water and oil-based stains. Two types of coatings can be used to make easy-clean glass, hydrophobic coatings, and hydrophilic coatings. Hydrophilic coatings are based on titanium dioxide and are also photolytic. Hydrophobic coatings are based on waxes, silica, or polymers such as fluorinated silanes. The increasing adoption of solar energy drives the easy clean glass market.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a severe impact on several industries including the glass industry. Many glass manufacturers had to stop operations to comply with stay-at-home mandates and lockdowns. Once economic activities resumed, glass manufacturers faced challenges in the form of lack of raw materials, shipping container shortages, low demand, and supply chain issues. There was a very low demand for tableware glass as restaurants were shut for in-person dining during the pandemic. The total glass industry revenue in Germany declined year-over-year by 4.6% to around €9.35 billion in 2020, as per Federal Statistics Office data. Soda ash, one of the raw materials used to manufacture glass, was in severe shortage leading to a very sharp price hike. In the last quarter of 2020, there was a huge demand for vaccine vials which benefitted the manufacturers of type I glass. Pharmaceutical glass manufacturers ramped up production to manufacture millions of glass vials for the COVID-19 vaccines, thereby making an important contribution to stopping the pandemic.

Report Coverage

The report: “Easy-Clean Glass Market Report – Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the easy-clean glass industry.

By Coating Type: Hydrophobic Coating and Hydrophilic coating
By Application: Windows & Doors, Partitions, Facades, Displays, Windshield, Mirrors, Solar Panels, and Others
By End Use Industry: Building & Construction (Residential- Private Dwellings, Row Houses, and Apartments; and Commercial- Educational Institutes, Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes, Sports Stadiums, Airports, Office Buildings, Shopping Malls & Supermarkets, Hospitals, Clinics and Healthcare Institutes, and Others) Transportation (Automotive, Aerospace, Marine, and Locomotive), Solar Energy, and Others
By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa)

Key Takeaways

• North America dominates the easy-clean glass market on account of the mature automotive and construction industries in the region.
• Easy-clean glass is a low-maintenance glass made by depositing a thin layer of hydrophilic or hydrophobic coatings. 
• Easy-clean glass saves a lot of maintenance costs, reduces water consumption during cleaning, and does not require using chemicals. This makes it eco-friendly.
• The major opportunity for this market is high research spending and exploring the possibility of using easy clean glass in computers, smartphones, and other electronics where fingerprints are undesirable.

Figure: North America Easy-Clean Glass Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Billion)

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Easy-Clean Glass Market Segment Analysis – By Coating Type

The hydrophilic coatings held the largest share in the global easy-clean glass market up to 60% in 2021. Two types of coatings are used to make glass easy to clean, hydrophobic coatings and hydrophilic coatings. Hydrophobic coatings do not allow water to bond with the surface of the glass and are based on waxes or polymers like fluorinated silanes. The coated surfaces of the glass become water-resistant and repel water, oil, and other aqueous solutions allowing for easy cleaning of the glass. Hydrophilic coatings use titanium dioxide film. This coating is also photolytic, it uses ultraviolet light to break down the organic dirt on the glass. Due to its hydrophilic nature, water slides off the surface washing away the dirt and grime without leaving any streaks on the glass, this makes the glass easy to clean. Hence, hydrophilic coatings are expected to dominate the global easy-clean glass market.

Easy-Clean Glass Market Segment Analysis – By Application

The construction segment held the largest share in the global easy-clean glass market in 2021. Recovery of the construction sector in developed economies is driving the glass industry. Glass is widely used in the construction industry on account of its properties, glass is electric resistant, chemical resistant, and remains unaffected by climatic changes. According to Glass for Europe, the largest market for flat glass market is the building and construction industry, which consumes 80% of the total flat glass produced. Glass has various architectural applications in doors, windows, partitions, skylights, fencing, etc. Glass can add beauty to the structures regarding its property to transmit, absorb or refract light. Glass provides a sleek, clean, and modern aesthetic when used in building facades, and gives architects a wide range of design possibilities. Most modern skyscrapers use a lot of glass in construction. As per data from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Dubai, New York, and Shanghai have the highest number of skyscrapers that are taller than 150m. Cleaning the glass façade of skyscrapers can be difficult, therefore using easy-clean glass is for skyscrapers can be a solution. 

Easy-Clean Glass Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

North America held the largest share in the global easy-clean glass market in 2021 up to 34% owing to mature automotive and construction industries in the region. After the pandemic slump, construction has been on a recovery path since 2021. According to the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), private residential construction spending in the US rose 1.3% in January 2022 compared to December 2021 and 13.4% from January 2021, while private non-residential construction spending increased 1.8% from December 2021 to January 2022 and 7.3% from January 2021. Along with residential new construction, the growth of remodeling is increasing. In October 2021, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Washington D.C., Royal Building Products Remodeling Market Index reached a score of 87. A score above 50 indicates positive remodeling activity. According to data from StatCan, investment in building construction increased by 1.9% to $18.4 billion in December 2021. Gains were reported in both the residential and non-residential sectors. Overall, in Canada investment in building construction had a record year, jumping 19.3% to $218.2 billion in 2021. Glass is used in construction for its aesthetic appeal. Therefore, the growth of the construction industry in this region leads to an increased demand for glass, and in turn, a rise in the demand for easy-clean glass.

Easy-Clean Glass Market– Drivers

Increasing Adoption of Solar Energy

Concerns over the depletion of fossil fuels, rising crude oil prices, pollution, and global warming are driving the adoption of cleaner energy. In addition, the race to net-zero is leading to the widespread implementation of solar energy and wind energy. Governments all over the world are framing policies for the adoption of clean energy. A prime example of this is the European Green Deal, a set of policy initiatives by the European Commission with the aim of making the European Union (EU) climate neutral by 2050. The EU plans to finance the policies set out in the Green Deal through an investment plan, InvestEU, which forecasts at least €1 trillion in investment. According to Eurostat, Solar is the fastest-growing energy source. The government of India launched various schemes to encourage the generation of solar power in the country like the Solar Park Scheme, VGF Schemes, CPSU Scheme, Defence Scheme, Canal bank & Canal top Scheme, Bundling Scheme, Grid Connected Solar Rooftop Scheme, etc. Most solar panels lose their efficiency by about 40% due to the accumulation of dirt. Bird droppings have also become a problem. Over time the accumulation of bird droppings and dirt affects the amount of sunlight passing through and reduces the efficiency of the panels. Cleaning the panels is therefore important to remove the droppings. As most solar panels are installed on the roof, cleaning them is time-consuming. Using easy-clean glass for solar panels can solve this problem. Hence, the increasing adoption of solar energy acts as a driver for the global easy-clean glass market.

Growing Focus on Sustainable Buildings

Green buildings are buildings that use less water, optimize energy efficiency, conserve natural resources, generate less waste and provide healthier spaces to live when compared to conventional buildings. They are beneficial for the environment as most buildings use recycled and eco-friendly building materials. As new construction becomes increasingly energy-efficient, evaluation of the sustainable performance of buildings has become paramount. Glass is 100% recyclable. When recycled into new glass products, glass waste helps to save both raw materials and energy in manufacturing new glass products. Aside from its visual appeal, glass is increasingly being used as it allows natural light into the building. Glass can play a role in improving energy efficiency. Hence, the growing focus on sustainable buildings acts as a driver for the easy-clean glass market.

Easy-Clean Glass Market– Challenges

High Price of Easy Clean Glass

Easy-clean glass has a higher price compared to conventional glass by 15-20%, which is priced between US$300 to US$500 leading to lower consumption of easy-clean glass. However, easy-clean glass is easy to maintain and does not require a lot of cleaning products. As it repels dirt and grime, less water is required to clean it. This results in saving costs from maintenance and thus offsets its higher price. Nevertheless, the high price of easy-clean glass may prove to be a deterrent and restrain the growth of the market.

Easy-Clean Glass Industry Outlook

Product launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the global Easy-Clean Glass market. Global Easy-Clean Glass market's top 10 companies are:

1. Saint Gobain
2. Nippon Sheet Glass
3. Cardinal Glass Industries Inc.
4. Asahi Glass Co.
5. Viridian Glass
6. Pilkington Glass
7. PPG Glass
8. Agalite
9. Diamond Fusion International
10. Guardian Industries

Recent Developments

• In March 2022, Diamon-Fusion International announced a collaboration agreement with Q-Railing-North America to offer Diamon-Fusion protective coating on Q-railing glass guardrail systems.
• In July 2019, Krysztal, a Polish Company, with its ongoing partnership with Unelko Corporation, developed Invisible Shield Pro 15 and REPEL Glass Coating Technologies.

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