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Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Ashkan Salim Ashkan Salim Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: October 2024 WZ C23.11DE

Revenue

€1.6bn

2024

€1.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XX.Xm

Employees

3,926

Businesses

11

Wages

€XXX.Xm

Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany industry analysis

The industry is characterised by a small number of global companies that are active in the production of flat glass. The main customers are the construction sector and the automotive industry, which require glass in the form of wraparound glazing, windows, design elements for bathrooms and kitchens and vehicle glazing. Turnover in the flat glass manufacturing industry has risen by an average of 1.3% per year over the last five years. This is primarily due to the high demand for glass in building construction. Due to customers' desire for brightness and transparency in interiors, glass is increasingly favoured by many building owners as a design material.
In 2024, industry turnover is expected to fall by 2.5% to 1.6 billion euros. Due to the high key interest rate of the European Central Bank (ECB), construction and property financing is relatively expensive in the current year, which is slowing down construction activity in Germany. However, the ECB has already started to cut interest rates in 2024, which should have a positive effect on demand for flat glass in the construction industry. The production of flat glass is associated with high energy consumption, as the production process requires the fusing of glass. In view of the high energy costs in Germany, flat glass manufacturers are therefore investing in energy-efficient production facilities in order to reduce their energy costs.
For the next five years until 2029, IBISWorld expects average annual growth in industry sales of 0.1% to an estimated €1.6 billion. The high demand for speciality glass such as heat and sound insulation glass, safety glass and multifunctional glass offers sales opportunities for the German flat glass industry. However, many companies in the sector are planning to relocate their production abroad in order to save costs. No new suppliers are expected to enter the market in the next five years, which should contribute to an increase in the market share of the largest flat glass manufacturers.

Trends and Insights

  • The turnover of the flat glass manufacturing industry is heavily dependent on the customer markets. In particular, the development of demand and trends in the construction sector and the automotive industry have an impact on the industry.
  • The share of sales that industry players generate with float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mm has remained stable over the past five years. This float glass is primarily used in outdoor areas and for floors, aquariums and tabletops.
  • The central region is home to most of the glassworks in this industry. The central region has an excellent infrastructure, including modern transport routes and numerous airports.
  • Internal competition in the industry is fierce. Individual industry players are among the leading flat glass manufacturers on the European market and have a high market share.

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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.3 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €1.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Glass is increasingly being used as a design element in buildings

  • As a basic product, flat glass is processed into windows, furniture, doors, facades, windscreens, rear and side windows, among other things.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

The demand for glass with special properties opens up sales opportunities for the industry

  • Float glass as a basic product can be further processed into multifunctional glass, heat and sound insulation glass or safety glass using various processes, such as coating or thermal treatment.

Biggest companies in the Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Glas Trösch Euroholding AG & Co. KGaA
414.0
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S. A.
393.0
Pilkington Deutschland AG
301.2

To view the market share and analysis for all 6 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mm, Float glass with a thickness of up to 3.5 mm and Cast glass. Float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mm is the largest segment of the Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Sales of float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mm remain stable

  • Float glass is manufactured up to a thickness of 24 mm, whereby the standard thickness in this product group is four, five, six, eight, ten, twelve, 15 and 19 mm.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Companies in this sector are active in the manufacture of flat glass. This includes float glass, cast glass and blown and drawn flat glass, some of which is reinforced with wire inserts. The subsequent finishing and processing of the flat glass is not part of the industry's activities.

What's included in this industry?

Float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mmFloat glass with a thickness of up to 3.5 mmCast glass

Companies

Glas Trösch Euroholding AG & Co. KGaACompagnie de Saint-Gobain S. A.Pilkington Deutschland AG

Purchase this report to view all 6 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DOLOMITFLOATGLASSGLASHÜTTEKALTREPARATURQUARZSODA

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 23.11 - Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The turnover of the flat glass manufacturing industry is heavily dependent on the customer markets. In particular, the development of demand and trends in the construction se...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

The share of sales that industry players generate with float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mm has remained stable over the past five years. This float glass is prim...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The central region is home to most of the glassworks in this industry. The central region has an excellent infrastructure, including modern transport routes and numerous airp...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Internal competition in the industry is fierce. Individual industry players are among the leading flat glass manufacturers on the European market and have a high market share...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

The Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S. A., founded in 1665 and based in Paris, is the largest flat glass manufacturer in Europe. The Group is one of the most innovative companies i...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Glas Trösch Euroholding AG & Co. KGaA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S. A.'s performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Pilkington Deutschland AG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for 3 additional companies

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Glas Trösch Euroholding AG & Co. KGaA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S. A., and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Pilkington Deutschland AG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for 3 additional companies

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Flat glass is used in residential and non-residential construction for windows, doors and façades, as well as for interior design elements. Therefore, the sales trend in the ...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The industry's profit margin is declining in the face of increasing international competition. However, by offering innovative products, efficient production processes and so...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany is €1.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 11 businesses in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.7 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 1.3 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Flat Glass Manufacturing market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Flat Glass Manufacturing market in Germany are Glas Trösch Euroholding AG & Co. KGaA, Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S. A. and Pilkington Deutschland AG

What does the Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany include?

Float glass with a thickness of more than 3.5 mm and Float glass with a thickness of up to 3.5 mm are part of the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Flat Glass Manufacturing in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Glas Trösch Euroholding AG & Co. KGaA.

How competitive is the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The level of competition is high and increasing in the Flat Glass Manufacturing industry in Germany.

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Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.