by Brianna Crandall — March 6, 2015—Market research firm MarketsandMarkets recently released a report on the fire-resistant glass market, which is being driven by stricter building safety codes and fire safety regulations along with increasing demand for passive fire protection, although to a lesser extent in North America. The market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.56% from 2014 to 2019 and is estimated to have a market size of $5.75 billion by 2019.
Building and construction is currently the largest application of fire-resistant glass. The segment is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.00% from 2014 and 2019. Fire-resistant glass is used in fire windows, doors, and walls in schools, hospitals, and other residential and commercial buildings. The glass allows for safe passage in case of fire, and blocks fire, smoke and radiant heat from spreading to other parts of buildings.
Types of glass
The report covers four different types of glass: wired glass, ceramic glass, tempered glass, and laminated glass. Laminated glass is currently the largest segment, and is considered the material of choice in Europe for meeting stringent fire safety regulations and building codes, although Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing market for this segment.
Drivers
According to the report, increasingly strict building safety codes and fire safety regulations in major markets along with increasing demand for passive fire protection are driving the market for fire-resistant glass. Demand is growing quickly in the Asia-Pacific and “Rest of the World” regions, and current regulations in Europe make it mandatory to use fire-resistant glass in schools and healthcare facilities.
Regions
Europe is currently the largest market for fire-resistant glass, and Germany is the largest consumer of the glass in this region. The market in the region is estimated to reach $2.33 billion by 2019, driven by stringent fire safety regulations, comparatively higher processing rates, and a growing construction industry in some countries, such as Germany and Poland.
However, the market for fire-resistant glass in North America is increasing at a slower rate. The level of building safety codes and regulations is high in North America, but architects and manufacturers prefer to use active fire protection in buildings instead of passive fire protection. But increasing awareness about safety codes and growing demand for passive fire protection systems are beginning to drive the market in North America to a higher level as well.
Leading manufacturers
The leading global manufacturers of fire-resistant glass include: Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd. (Japan), Nippon Electric Glass Co. Ltd. (Japan), Schott AG (Germany), Asahi Glass Co. Ltd. (Japan), Compagnie De Saint Gobain (France), Promat International NV (Belgium), Glass Dynamics Inc. (USA), SAFTI FIRST Fire Rated Glazing Solutions (USA), Ravensby Glass Co. Ltd. (U.K.), Fuso Glass India Pvt. Ltd. (India), and Impact Safety Glass Works Ltd. (India).
Fire Resistant Glass Market by Type (Wired, Ceramic, Tempered, and Laminated), by Application (Building & Construction, Marine, and Others), & by Region – Trends & Forecasts to 2019 is available for purchase from the MarketsandMarkets Web site.
