Technology that will be essential in meeting the needs of the glazing market over the next 5 years and beyond will be determined by trends in the areas of energy, the environment, and aesthetics. These trends have become so universal that they have taken on the distinction of a "megatrend." Corporations study these trends to guide marketing and R&D efforts to innovate products for tomorrow's marketplace. The glass industry has been able to continuously evolve over its long history by a creative application of advances in new materials and nanotechnology to produce breakthrough technologies. These have enhanced the function and value of glass and will continue to develop and provide the next generation of products. This will help the industry attain its long range goals to further reduce energy costs for both producers and consumers, provide comfort and style in building design, and bring about environmental benefits through the reduction in fossil fuel consumption and production of greenhouse gases.
