Global ultra-thin glass industry to reach $14.3bln by 2025

The global ultra-thin glass market size is projected to grow from $7.8 billion in 2020 to $14.3 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 13% between 2020 and 2025, a new report by ResearchAndMarkets.com has predicted.

Ultra-thin glass is a low-thickness, special category glass that is lightweight, flexible, and has electrical conductivity and sensitivity. It is used in various applications in the consumer electronics, automotive & transportation, and medical & healthcare industries, among others. Ultra-thin glass can be majorly classified into technical or non-technical, depending on the processes used during manufacturing.

However, the negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the consumer electronics industry has affected the ultra-thin glass market adversely, noted the "Ultra-thin Glass Market by Thickness, Manufacturing Process (Float, Fusion, Down-Draw), Application (Semiconductor Substrate, Touch Panel Display, Fingerprint Sensor), End-use Industry, and Region - Global Forecast to 2025" report.

In terms of value, 0.1mm-0.5mm thick ultra-thin glass is the fastest-growing segment in the ultra-thin glass market, which is projected to register the highest CAGR in terms of value between 2020 and 2025. This ultra-thin glass is flat and has a smooth surface and excellent heat resistance and has its applications in touch panel display, fingerprint sensor, a semiconductor substrate, vehicle infotainment system, and biotechnological devices.

Float is the largest manufacturing process for ultra-thin glass in terms of value and volume, the report said.

Sir Alastair Pilkington invented the float process for the British glass manufacturing company, Pilkington. Raw glass materials such as soda-lime and borosilicate are used to manufacture ultra-thin glass in this process. Additives such as colourants and refining agents are also added to enhance the physical and chemical properties of the glass.

Touch Panel Display is the largest application of ultra-thin glass in terms of value.

Used in consumer electronics products, touch panel displays are extensively used in smartphones, TVs, wearable devices, and signage. Ultra-thin glass used in touch panel displays helps in a weight reduction of the overall electronic product. The touch panel displays segment was the leading consumer of ultra-thin glass in 2019 and has grown substantially over the years owing to the increasing demand for smartphones and TVs. Digitalisation has grown, and this growth is expected to drive the ultra-thin glass market in the touch panel displays application segment.

Consumer electronics is the largest end-use industry of ultra-thin glass in terms of value and volume, the study noted.

The consumer electronics industry is witnessing continuous evolution owing to technological advancements (particularly in smartphones, wearable devices, and TVs). Ultra-thin glasses are widely used in consumer electronics for applications, such as displays and sensors. Properties such as electrical conductivity and sensitivity, transmissivity, and flexibility make it suitable for varied applications in this industry. Consumer electronics is the largest end-use industry of the ultra-thin glass market, and this trend is estimated to continue during the forecast period.

In terms of geographic reach, APAC is the leading ultra-thin glass market in terms of value, the report noted.

APAC is the largest ultra-thin glass market in terms of value. The key reason for this growth includes the demand for ultra-thin glass in the consumer electronics industry in the region. The demand for ultra-thin glass in consumer electronics, and automotive & transportation industries is projected to grow due to product innovation and technological advancements. The growth of the market in this region is further boosted by improved technology solutions, superior properties, and increasing penetration in various end-use industries.--TradeArabia News Service