Demand for flat glass in Italy is forecast to rise 2.2% a year to 2008 to 190M square meters, according to the Freedonia Group. This will slightly outpace predicted economic growth during the period. Freedonia predicts that the market for prefabricated glass will grow by 4.4% to US$2.9BN over the same period. The flat glass market will benefit from solid demand for architectural glass based on continuing expansion in Italy's construction sector. In addition, motor vehicle markets will register positive growth after significant declines over the 1998-2003 period as domestic car production recovers. Architectural glass will benefit from favourable demand in the residential & non-residential sectors. In addition, a greater emphasis on value added products such as solar control glass will promote even stronger gains with demand forecast to reach US$2.3BN by 2008.
