Low-E Glass Market Expected to Reach $21.0 Billion by 2032

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Low-E Glass Market," The low-e glass market was valued at $11.9 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $21.0 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2023 to 2032.

Low-E glass, or low emissivity glass, is a technologically advanced glazing material designed to control the transmission of radiant heat. It features a microscopically thin, transparent coating that reflects infrared energy while allowing visible light to pass through. This coating is typically composed of metallic oxide layers that are applied to the glass surface. The primary purpose of Low-E glass is to enhance energy efficiency in buildings by reducing heat transfer through windows. During cold weather, it helps retain interior heat, and in hot weather, it minimizes the amount of exterior heat entering the building. This dual functionality promotes a more consistent and comfortable indoor climate while decreasing the reliance on heat, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Low-E glass is a popular choice for sustainable and energy-efficient construction, contributing to lower utility costs and reduced environmental impact. 

Market Dynamics

Continuous innovations in glass coating technologies have led to the development of more advanced and efficient low-e glass products. Manufacturers invest in R&D to create coatings that provide better thermal performance, UV protection, and overall durability. These technological advancements contribute to market growth by offering improved and versatile solutions. 

Furthermore, rise in awareness among consumers about the environmental impact of buildings and the benefits of energy-efficient solutions drive the demand for low-e glass. Homeowners and businesses have become more conscious of their carbon footprint and are willing to invest in sustainable technologies, boosting the market for energy-efficient building materials such as low-e glass. 

In addition, the rise in global concern about climate change has led to a greater focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Low-e glass helps in decreasing the reliance on artificial heating and cooling systems, which in turn lowers energy consumption and associated emissions. As countries strive to meet their climate goals, the demand for energy-efficient solutions such as low-e glass is expected to rise. 

However, despite the potential long-term energy savings, there is still a lack of awareness and understanding among consumers and builders regarding the benefits of low-E glass. Many individuals are unfamiliar with the technology or do not fully comprehend its impact on energy efficiency and comfort. As a result, they opt for traditional glass solutions, unaware of the advantages that low-E glass offer in terms of reduced energy consumption and improved indoor comfort.  

On the contrary, the automotive sector offers a significant growth opportunity for the low-E glass market. As electric vehicles gain popularity and governments advocate for sustainable transportation, automakers have incorporated energy-efficient technologies, including low-E glass, to enhance the overall efficiency of vehicles. The market capitalizes on this trend by providing advanced low-E glass solutions tailored for automotive applications, such as reduced reliance on air conditioning systems. 

Segments Overview

The low-e glass market is segmented on the basis of type, coating type, end-user industry, and region. By type, the market is segregated into single low-e glass, double low-e glass, triple low-e glass. The double e-glass accounted for the largest share in the global low e-glass market. Many building codes and regulations are increasingly emphasizing energy efficiency and sustainability. As a result, there is growing pressure on builders and architects to incorporate energy-efficient building materials, including windows with double low-e glass, into their designs to meet these requirements. Furthermore, builders seeking green building certifications, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), often opt for energy-efficient materials like double low-e glass to earn points towards certification. This certification can enhance the marketability and value of a building. 

By coating type, the market is divided into soft coating and hard coating. The soft coating segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2022 with 67.3% share in the global market. As building codes and regulations become more stringent regarding energy efficiency and sustainability, there is a growing demand for high-performance building materials like soft-coat low-e glass. Soft-coat low-e glass can help builders and architects meet these requirements while also achieving certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design). Furthermore, soft-coat low-e glass offers architectural designers more flexibility in terms of aesthetics and design options. The advanced coating technology used in soft-coat low-e glass allows for a wider range of glass thicknesses and tints, as well as better clarity and transparency compared to hard-coat low-e glass. This enables designers to create visually appealing facades while still achieving high levels of energy efficiency. 

By application, the market is classified into building & construction, automotive, aerospace, and others. The building and construction segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2022 with 71.5% share in the global market. Many regions have adopted building energy codes that set minimum requirements for the energy performance of buildings. These codes often include provisions for the energy efficiency of windows and glazing systems. Low-e glass is an effective way for builders to meet these requirements and ensure compliance with building energy codes. Furthermore, Builders and developers seeking green building certification, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, often prioritize the use of energy-efficient building materials like low-e glass. Incorporating low-e glass into a building design can contribute to earning points toward certification and demonstrate a commitment to sustainable construction practices.   

Regional Analysis

Region wise, the low-e glass market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The Europe low-e glass market size accounted for a major market share in 2022. Europe has some of the most stringent energy efficiency regulations in the world, driven by EU directives and national building codes. These regulations aim to reduce energy consumption, combat climate change, and improve the sustainability of buildings. Low-e glass is a key component of energy-efficient building envelopes, helping to minimize heat loss in cold weather and solar heat gain in warm weather, thus reducing the overall energy demand for heating and cooling. Moreover,  there is a growing emphasis on green building initiatives in Europe, with increasing awareness of environmental sustainability and the need to reduce carbon emissions. Green building certification programs, such as BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), encourage the use of energy-efficient materials like low-e glass to achieve higher ratings and demonstrate commitment to sustainability.     

Key players operating in the global low-e glass market include CENTRAL GLASS CO., LTD., Taiwan Glass Ind. Corp., TAIWAN GLASS IND. CORP., Beijing Northglass Technologies Co. Ltd, Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd, Arcon Flachglas-Veredlung GmbH & Co. KG, Guardian Glass, Asahi Glass, Saint Gobain, and AGC Inc. 

Other key players involved in the manufacturing of low-e glass includes Beijing North Tech Group Ltd, Shenzhen Sun Global Glass, Qingdao Migo Glass Co., Ltd., Metro Performance Glass, Qingdao Tsing Glass Co. Limited, ROMAG., SCHOTT Inc., and others. 

Key Findings of the Study 

• By type, the double low -e glass segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, from 2023 to 2032.  
• By coating type, the soft coating segment is the most lucrative segment. 
• By end-user industry, the building and construction is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. 
• By region, Europe garnered the highest share in 2022, in terms of revenue, growing at a CAGR of 6.0%.