Smart Glass Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Technology (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal Glass, Suspended Particle Device Glass, Electrochromic Glass, Photochromic Glass, and Thermochromic Glass), Application (Architectural, Automotive & Transportation, Consumer Electronics, Power Generation, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

The global smart glass market size was valued at USD 4,651.3 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 15,788.0 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.2% during the forecast period. Europe dominated the smart glass market with a market share of 42.88% in 2019. Moreover, the smart glass market in the U.S. is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of USD 5.65 billion by 2032, driven by the increasing integration of smart glasses in automotive glass panels.

Smart glass is a specialty glass that changes its appearance and light transmission properties when voltage, light, or heat is applied. The growth in the global market is driven by the increasing use in various applications such as architectural, automotive, aerospace, and marine. The technological innovations in switchable glasses and architectural advancements in the majority of buildings for the installation of smart windows are the factors playing a key role in the market. Additionally, the strict guidelines issued by the government to equip existing constructions with green and energy-saving technologies will boost the adoption of switchable glass.

Development of Smart Glass for Application in Non-Conventional Industries Will lead to Decrease in Product Demand due to Covid-19 from Construction and Automotive Industries

Covid-19 has significantly affected the performance of the construction and automotive industries due to restrictions in logistics & transportation of man and material alike. In addition to this, reduced consumer spending capacity and focus of customers on using their money on essential goods and services have reduced the demand for specialty products including smart glass. However, major companies are investing in R&D activities for application in medical and healthcare facilities such as hospital ward partitions and ICU walls. For instance, Milton Hospital, a community hospital built in Milton, Canada, and operated by Halton Healthcare Services, applied privacy smart glass for the doors throughout Intensive Care Units and bullet-resistant switchable glass panels in all emergency room areas. Moreover, the adoption of smart automation in houses and offices has enabled a wider application scope. These factors have negated the reduced demand from construction and automotive industries in the wake of Covid-19.

SMART GLASS MARKET TRENDS

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Adoption of SPD Glass in the Aerospace Industry to Form Large Windows is an Increasing Market Trend

The rapidly growing aerospace industry has led to an increase in demand. Aircraft manufacturers are promoting the use of larger windows that would have more functionality and passenger control. For this purpose, they are using these glasses, mainly SPD glass. These glasses offer essential properties required to improve the aircraft functions, such as quick and uniform response, excellent acoustic insulation, light control, and superior heat rejection when parked on the ramp. These properties provide more comfort to the passengers by controlling unwanted glare, preserving the view, and daylights by the touch of a button. Hence, as these properties not only improve customer satisfaction during the flight but also help aerospace companies to maintain energy efficiency in the airplane, the demand for these glasses is experiencing a growing trend from the aerospace industry.

SMART GLASS MARKET GROWTH FACTORS

Increasing Integration of Smart Glasses in Automotive Glass Panels to Drive the Market

Several companies in the global automotive industry are focused on integrating modern concepts in their vehicles to create a USP for their offerings. With increasing consumer spending capacity in the past decade, customers too have insisted on including luxury features in the vehicular selection process.

One such design change that gained immense traction in the automotive industry is the usage of switchable glass. They are utilized in glass panels such as windows, rear-view mirrors, windshields, sun visors, sunroofs, and panoramic view windows. These glass panels not only control the light transmission inside the vehicular chamber but also help maintain privacy and temperature inside the car. Owing to these properties, these products increase the energy efficiency of the vehicle and the comfortability of the passengers.

Furthermore, an increase in tourist activities across the globe has contributed to the growing demand for vehicles with sunroofs and panoramic window panels to enable the passengers to enjoy the scenic beauty from the comfort of the car. Owing to these factors, the increasing demand for switchable glass for the production of automotive glass panels is expected to inflate the market in the forecast period.

Increasing Adoption of Smart Glass in Construction Industry to Drive the Market

Smart glass helps in the illumination of the premises, creating multi-functional spaces that adapt and respond to the needs of users with a flick of a switch. It is also capable of providing thermal and acoustic insulation in the buildings, thus conserving energy while providing the building architects and interior designers with a 3D designing proposition. In buildings, these glasses are used in designing smart facades, skylights, and smart windows, enabling the building with a unique, dynamic look and control on the privacy inside the premises, especially in office spaces and hospital partitions. As consumer spending in emerging economies increases, the demand for smart construction materials is expected to grow to enable elegant living for the consumers.

Also, in some sightseeing destinations, this glass is utilized to create unique spaces for the attraction of tourists. For instance, Eureka Tower in Melbourne has a cubical room made of this glass which projects 3 meters out of the building with visitors inside, suspended at a height of 300 meters above the ground. When it is inside the chamber of the building, the glass remains opaque. Once the cube is fully extended out of the building, the glass becomes transparent, enabling the tourists to enjoy a birds-eye view of Melbourne. Such applications increase the popularity of glass panels and provide growth opportunities in the global smart glass market.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Cost of Smart Glass to Limit its Adoption

The total cost of smart glass is decided based on material cost, installation expenses, electricity cost, and functional features, which include latency to control, the differential in transparency, and dimming capabilities. These costs make this glass highly expensive as compared to conventional glasses. Moreover, disposal of waste glass panels also requires specialized treatment procedures owing to the usage of rare chemicals and electronic systems, which further increases its ultimate cost. Owing to these factors, manufacturers of switchable glass find it challenging to enumerate the customers with benefits and attractive returns on investment they get on using switchable glass. Despite the advantages of these glasses, the high cost of the product remains the primary reason behind its restricted adoption.

SMART GLASS MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Technology Analysis

Suspended Particle Device Glass to Remain the Most Attractive Technology in Smart Glass Manufacturing

Based on the smart glass market by technology, it is segmented into polymer dispersed liquid crystal glass, suspended particle device glass, electrochromic glass, photochromic glass, and thermochromic glass. Suspended particle device (SPD) glass helps control the transmission of light by electrically aligning nanoparticles of the film fit between glass panels. As these glasses can be operated remotely via switches, dimmers, motion detectors, light, or temperature sensors and are easy to integrate into any building system, it finds extensive application in both, construction, and automotive industries. Thus, the segment currently holds the largest share in the market and shall remain the most attractive technology for manufacturing during the forecast period.

Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) glass is made of smart glazing or film laminated inside two glass panels. The film changes its transparency in reaction to an electrical signal, wherein the randomly arranged crystals align themselves as a voltage is applied across the glass panel to change from milky, translucent appearance to transparent form. Owing to this property, PDLC glass finds extensive application for the construction of privacy partitions in buildings. Furthermore, it is also used in automotive glass panels such as sunroofs and panoramic windows to control the glare and the flow of light inside the car chamber. Owing to these factors, PDLC glass is expected to gain around 2% market share through the forecast period.

By Application Analysis

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Automotive & Transportation Segment to grow with Fastest CAGR during the Forecast Period

Based on application, the market is segmented into architectural, automotive & transportation, consumer electronics, power generation, and others. The demand for luxury vehicles and premium SUVs has risen in the past few years owing to increasing consumer spending capacity and improved standard of living, especially in North America and Europe. This glass is extensively used in the automotive industry for the manufacture of glass panels such as windshields, head & tail lights, and window visors. Accounting to the increasing applications of such glasses in the automotive & transportation industry, this segment holds the largest share in the global market and is projected to further grow with the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

On the other hand, architects and interior designers have moved their attention towards this glass for the production of attractive 3D designs for buildings while providing control over privacy in different parts of the premises to the customer. Furthermore, Covid-19 has led to an increase in demand for the design of hospitals and healthcare facilities, which shall further support the growth of the segment. Hence, the architectural application segment is expected to grow at a significant pace between 2020 & 2027.

REGIONAL SMART GLASS MARKET ANALYSIS

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Europe dominated the smart glass market with a market share of 42.88% in 2019 and size in Europe stood at USD 1,994.7 million in 2019. The findings of our research indicate that Europe holds the largest share in the global market. The increasing product demand in the region is attributed to the increasing uptake from architects and designers for renovation and retrofitting of the existing infrastructure. The demand is also supported by the growth of automotive manufacturing in the region, wherein the switchable glass is utilized for premium features such as sun-roofs and anti-glare side mirrors.

In North America, improving the performance of end-use industries such as construction and automotive has led to increased adoption of the smart types of glasses. The usage of these glasses is further necessitated by increasing demand for energy-efficient buildings in the region, driven by regulations passed by the government.

On the other hand, Asia Pacific shall observe a significant growth in demand during the forecast period, owing to the booming automotive and construction industries in the region. Rapid industrialization in China, India, and South Korea is expected to support the demand in the region for application in residential and commercial buildings, hospitals, and tourist destinations. These factors are expected to create lucrative growth opportunities for companies operating in the market. 

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Product Innovation and Partnerships with End-Users are Essential Aspects for the Growth of Companies Operating in the Market

Product innovation & partnerships with end-users are important aspects for companies to maintain their position in the market. Pleotint LLC is one of the most prominent companies related to the market. The company operates in more than 36 countries with 33 fabrication partners and has completed over 35 projects in various sectors. The company offers a range of smart glass solutions under the brand name ‘Suntuitive’ throughout the United States and has concentrated its attention on the development of products for the control of solar light transmission inside buildings.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED IN SMART GLASS MARKET:

• Saint-Gobain (France)


• View, Inc. (U.S.)


• GENTEX Corporation (U.S.)


• Polytronix, Inc. (U.S.)


• Smartglass International Limited (Ireland)


• Glass Apps (U.S.)


• Scienstry, Inc. (U.S.)


• AGC Inc. (Japan)


• Research Frontiers (U.S.)


• Essex Safety Glass (UK)


• Gauzy Ltd and Entities (Israel)


• BSG Glass (Thailand)


• Asahi India Glass Ltd. (India)


• Schott AG (Germany)


• Central Glass Co., Ltd. (Japan)


• Pleotint LLC (U.S.)


• SPD Control Systems Corporation (U.S.)


• Other key players

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• March 2021 – View Inc, installed smart windows have been installed at 730 Third Avenue, located in the Midtown East neighborhood of Manhattan. Over 1,100 new smart windows have been installed in the entire building, which will help owners achieve the energy reductions required to meet New York’s Local Law 97, which seeks to reduce building-based emissions by 40 percent over the next decade and will impact more than 57,000 buildings across the city. The smart windows will also help the building to maintain its LEED Gold Certification.

• February 2019 – ZEISS developed the first multifunctional smart glass transparent surfaces. The new technology is capable of filtering sunlight, measuring the temperature, and displaying a host of information. The smart glass will soon be able to illuminate, identify, filter and project and could be used to do great things in augmented reality and in the automotive industry

REPORT COVERAGE

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The smart glass market forecast report provides detailed industry analysis and focuses on crucial aspects such as leading companies, technologies, and applications. Also, the report offers insights into market trends and highlights vital smart glass industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses various factors that have contributed to the growth of the market over recent years.

Report Scope & Segmentation