Glasstec is expected to stimulate demand in 2013, an industry expert said.
VDMA managing director Joachim Schmid said total revenue generated by glass machinery and plants manufacturers will be about €850 million in 2012, but is expected to grow significantly next year as a result of this year’s glasstec show.
Speaking at the event in Dusseldorf, Germany, he said flat, hollow and solar thermic glass were particularly strong areas.
About 3-4% of glass produced worldwide is used in the solar industry. The segment has an average growth rate of 25% per year and will continue to grow.
For the glass industry as a whole, the EU-27 countries is the largest market, closely followed by East Asia which is expected to reach the same level as Europe early next year.
Demand in Russia is also growing, Latin America is on the increase, while glass companies see possibilities arising midterm in the Far and Middle East.
India is also forecast to have enormous demand for glass over the next couple of decades.
A full review of Glasstec/Solarpeq and the Solar meets Glass conference will be available in the November issue of Glass International.
