China is the world's largest producer of flat glass, & has been for around 11 years. In 2000, the country accounted for 27% of total world production, and on the domestic front, glass was the most profitable construction material sector to be involved with. However, regardless of its almost incessant growth, China cannot get away from the fact that its glass industry is at something of a crossroads. The problem of oversupply, whilst being addressed by the State, nevertheless remains front page news, and although quality issues are starting to be resolved, there are still huge question marks placed over Chinese flat glass. Impending WTO membership is putting even more pressure on China's beleguered flat glass sector. Just what effect will globalisation have on this under-fire industry?
