Between April 2005-06, the price of flat glass rose 58%, according to figures from the Bank of Mexico. Factors affecting glass prices were energy costs, principally natural gas, & certain raw materials such as soda ash, said sector companies. "The glass industry has suffered price rises in energy & the cost of raw materials has also gone up", said Denis Meeus, DG of Saint-Gobain Glass, the second most important producer in Mexico. In April 2006 alone, the price rose 40%. The main clients are distributors & small/medium glass processors, whose principal markets are residential, autoglass & household appliances. Meeus said that Saint-Gobain had absorbed the rise through improvements in performance & productivity but warned that this situation could not continue for a long period of time.
