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Float glass is a sheet of glass manufactured by floating molten glass over a bed of molten metal, preferably tin. It is a superior quality of glass having uniform thickness, chemical inertness, high optical clarity, and bright appearance. Since most of these qualities are missing in the ordinary glass sheets, float glass has almost completely replaced the normal glass sheets. In addition, the manufacturing process of float glass is simple, hence, it is used serves as an ideal alternative to ordinary glass. Innovations in the manufacturing of float glass technology has paved the way for creating new products such as heat reflecting glass and soundproof glass. Therefore, surge in demand has been witnessed for float glass in applications such as architectural, automotive, and solar energy. Thus, all these factors collectively contribute toward the growth of the global float glass market.
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Presently, float glass is the most used variety of glass in the global consumer products industry, owing to its superior quality. In addition, it possesses high structural flexibility, which enables it to be bent and shaped in different forms easily, and does not require additional polishing. These prominent advantages with its extensive use in construction as roofs, laminated windows, and in automotive industry as windshield, backlight, and mirrors significantly contribute toward the growth of the global market.
However, increase in prices of primary raw materials used for producing float glass (soda ash) in recent past has restrained the market growth. Moreover, rapid technological advancement such as introduction of the new low-iron float glass with high light transmittance, which is extensively used in solar panels, is anticipated to offer remunerative opportunities for the expansion of the market during the forecast period.
The global float glass market trends are as follows:
Need for enhancement in aesthetics in both residential and commercial constructions
Float glass finds its major application in the architectural sector. With the gradual increase in urban population and rise in disposable income of the global population, the requirement for infrastructural development and construction activities is expected to increase. Superior aesthetical properties of float glass have increased its usage in interior designs such as ceilings, windows, and mirrors.
In addition, high optical clarity of float glass is preferred in major commercial sectors, including hotels, air ports, and shopping malls. Moreover, its high light transmission ability reduces the heat transfer in buildings, thereby minimizing the cost of cooling. Hence, float glass is expected to be increasingly utilized in diversified commercial applications, which will likely augment the growth of the market, globally.
Technological advancements are expected to drive growth of the market
Body-tinted float glass is a new variety made by adding molten colorants to the glass during the manufacturing process. These glasses possess unique properties to absorb solar radiations, and when used on doors and windows of buildings, they reduce heat penetration and consequently limit the energy consumed for cooling. Initially, flat glasses were used in smaller sizes, as they require high internal structural strength for larger pieces to hold themselves steadily. Currently, flat glasses can be toughened by heat treatments to make them suitable for building applications, thereby boosting their demand, globally.
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