According to a recently issued study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based market research firm, the market value of fabricated glass will grow a strong 5.4 percent per year through 2008 to $53 billion.

The study, World Flat Glass, also predicts that the market for architectural glass will benefit from the greater use of value-added glazing products, both in new structures and during major renovation. Based on year-end 2003 figures, it is forecast that the global industry will require 23 new float lines averaging 500 metric tons per day to meet future demand for flat glass through the end of 2008. These figures exclude Russia and China, which the study says are looking to convert and modernize existing facilities rather than adding additional capacity.

In addition, the study predicts that developing countries in Asia will register the strongest gains in flat glass demand through 2008, with growth especially strong in China and India. The U.S. market for fabricated flat glass is forecast to outpace the global average through 2008, although actual gains in square meters and metric tonnage will lag the global average slightly. Western Europe will continue to post the weakest sales growth among all regions.