This article gives a snapshot of the EU glass industry's performance in 2012. In 2012, EU 27 glass production reached a volume of over 33M/tonnes, making the EU the largest glass producer in the world, with a market share representing around one-third of the total world market. However, production decreased by 6.4% in 2012 compared to the previous year, the international economic and financial crisis having hit the EU glass market. Customers from the automotive industry, the construction sector, domestic, leisure and other industries drastically reduced orders in 2012. Overcapacity led to several plant closures. Germany remains the EU's largest producer with about one fifth of the volume, closely followed by France, Spain Italy and the UK. It has to be noted that the cumulative effects of rising production costs, a growing legislative burden and a strong Euro, led to an increase in capacity investments outside the EU. Regarding foreign trade from non-EU countries, imports from Asia and in particular China, remain strong. To remain competitive globally, faced with strong pressure from cheap imports, the glass industry has undertaken concentrated streamlining measures and increased production automation.
