China Glass Boom

China's rapidly increasing demand for glass has been stimulated by its two-decade high economic growth, mainly owing to rising demand in the automotive and construction markets. With the economy having grown by 9.5% in 2004, China's demand for glass has considerably increased as well. Total flat glass demand will increase 11.5% annually to 360M "weight cases" in the year 2005. The Chinese construction industry is expected to remain the largest market for glass. The architectural and automotive glass markets are forecast to rise by 10% each year.