Glass in The Mass Market

The global glass in the mass market is projected to see growth in both volume and value over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +2.9% and +6.1% respectively. Consumption, production, imports, and exports have all shown trends of growth, with notable increases in various countries. The article provides insights into consumption patterns, production volumes, import and export dynamics, as well as price trends in the glass market.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for glass in the mass worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 5.5M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $1B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Glass in The Mass

Global glass in the mass consumption was estimated at 4.4M tons in 2022, approximately reflecting the year before. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The global glass in the mass market revenue shrank modestly to $629M in 2022, waning by -4.2% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption, however, recorded a mild downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 6.5%. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $745M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were Germany (465K tons), Portugal (460K tons) and the UK (305K tons), together comprising 28% of global consumption. Italy, Canada, the Czech Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, Austria, Bulgaria and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Canada (with a CAGR of +46.4%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($203M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Portugal ($29M). It was followed by Germany.

In Japan, the glass in the mass market expanded at an average annual rate of +6.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Portugal (+0.3% per year) and Germany (+12.3% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of glass in the mass per capita consumption was registered in Portugal (45 kg per person), followed by the Czech Republic (20 kg per person), the United Arab Emirates (17 kg per person) and Bulgaria (12 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of glass in the mass was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the glass in the mass per capita consumption in Portugal was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Czech Republic (+5.9% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+2.8% per year).

Production

World Production of Glass in The Mass

In 2022, global production of glass in the mass stood at 4M tons, approximately reflecting the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, global glass in mass production attained the maximum volume in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, glass in the mass production contracted to $520M in 2022 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 17% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $699M. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of production in 2022 were Ireland (490K tons), the UK (440K tons) and Switzerland (311K tons), with a combined 31% share of global production. Belgium, Japan, France, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, China, Sweden, the Netherlands, Romania and Belarus lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 36%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of production, amongst the leading producing countries, was attained by the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +533.2%), while production for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports

World Imports of Glass in The Mass

For the fifth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in overseas purchases of glass in the mass, which increased by 6.1% to 4.4M tons in 2022. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global glass in mass imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, glass in the mass imports expanded to $560M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23%. Over the period under review, global glass in mass imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of glass in the mass imports in 2022 were Germany (640K tons), Portugal (496K tons) and Belgium (444K tons), together resulting at 36% of total import. Italy (267K tons) ranks next in terms of the total imports with a 6.1% share, followed by Canada (5.3%), the Czech Republic (5.2%) and the Netherlands (5.1%). Austria (141K tons), the United States (125K tons), Spain (123K tons), France (122K tons), Croatia (108K tons) and Bulgaria (81K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Croatia (with a CAGR of +11.8%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest glass in the mass importing markets worldwide were the United States ($53M), Germany ($38M) and Portugal ($30M), with a combined 22% share of global imports. Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, France, Belgium, Spain, Croatia, Bulgaria, Canada and Austria lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Croatia, with a CAGR of +14.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average glass in the mass import price amounted to $128 per ton, declining by -2.7% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 13% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $139 per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($426 per ton), while Canada ($23 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+4.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Glass in The Mass

In 2022, shipments abroad of glass in the mass increased by 6.5% to 4M tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2015 with an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global glass in mass exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, glass in the mass exports expanded rapidly to $566M in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Belgium (677K tons) and Ireland (478K tons) were the largest exporters of glass in the massin the world, together resulting at approx. 29% of total exports. Switzerland (262K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 6.6% share, followed by France (6.4%) and the UK (5.1%). Germany (174K tons), the Netherlands (140K tons), Poland (127K tons), Canada (112K tons), Romania (106K tons), Denmark (106K tons), Sweden (75K tons) and Hungary (74K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +61.3%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest glass in the mass supplying countries worldwide were Belgium ($61M), the UK ($31M) and Germany ($29M), with a combined 21% share of global exports. France, Canada, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Ireland, Romania, Poland, Hungary, Denmark and Sweden lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Poland, with a CAGR of +41.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average glass in the mass export price amounted to $143 per ton, rising by 2.2% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price saw a mild increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 18% against the previous year. The global export price peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($168 per ton), while Ireland ($18 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+7.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform