A new study from the USA-based Freedonia Group predicts that demand for flat glass in the USA will increase by 2.5%/year to 6.3bn square feet in a market expected to be worth around US$8.2bn in the year 2003. It forecasts that pricing levels will remain favourable due to the continuing introduction of technologically advanced, value-added products such as electrochromic mirrors and windows and new generations of solar control glass. The strongest gains are expected to be in the construction market, with demand projected to reach around 3.5bn square feet in 2003. The automotive market for flat glass is likely to reach 1.6bn square feet in 2003, overtaking motor vehicle production rates. Demand in this sector will benefit from vehicle designs which incorporate more glass per vehicle and will also be boosted by the increasing popularity of sports vehicles.
