EU: Flat Glass Market 2024

Flat Glass Market Size in the EU

For the sixth year in a row, the EU flat glass market recorded growth in sales value, which increased by 5.2% to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a modest expansion. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Flat Glass Production in the EU

In value terms, flat glass production expanded notably to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. As a result, production attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Flat Glass Exports

Exports in the EU

In 2021, shipments abroad of flat glass was finally on the rise to reach X tons after two years of decline. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, flat glass exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports showed a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2021.

Exports by Country

In 2021, Germany (X tons), distantly followed by Poland (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons), Bulgaria (X tons) and Italy (X tons) were the major exporters of flat glass, together creating 78% of total exports. The following exporters - the Czech Republic (X tons), Luxembourg (X tons), Hungary (X tons), Romania (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons) and Spain (X tons) - together made up 20% of total exports.

Exports from Germany increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bulgaria (+9.8%), Poland (+3.5%), the Czech Republic (+1.7%) and Italy (+1.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bulgaria emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the European Union, with a CAGR of +9.8% from 2012-2021. Romania experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, France (-1.6%), Hungary (-1.9%), Luxembourg (-2.9%), Belgium (-3.9%), Spain (-5.1%) and the Netherlands (-8.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Germany, Bulgaria and Poland increased by +10, +4.2 and +3.1 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Germany ($X) remains the largest flat glass supplier in the European Union, comprising 32% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by France ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Belgium, with a 12% share.

In Germany, flat glass exports increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the period from 2012-2021. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: France (-0.8% per year) and Belgium (-6.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, surging by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was Spain ($X per ton), while Bulgaria ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Spain (+9.1%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Flat Glass Imports

Imports in the EU

In 2021, purchases abroad of flat glass was finally on the rise to reach X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when imports increased by 11% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2021, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, flat glass imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Poland (X tons), Germany (X tons), the Netherlands (X tons), Austria (X tons), France (X tons), Belgium (X tons), the Czech Republic (X tons), Spain (X tons), Romania (X tons), Portugal (X tons), Italy (X tons) and Lithuania (X tons) represented roughly 76% of total imports in 2021. Hungary (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +8.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest flat glass importing markets in the European Union were Germany ($X), Poland ($X) and France ($X), together comprising 28% of total imports. The Netherlands, Austria, Spain, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Romania, Italy, Portugal, Hungary and Lithuania lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 50%.

Romania, with a CAGR of +9.3%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in the European Union amounted to $X per ton, rising by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, major importing countries recorded the following prices: in France ($X per ton) and Italy ($X per ton), while Poland ($X per ton) and Belgium ($X per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Romania (+3.5%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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