The Flat Glass industry:

  • The global market for flat glass in 2006 was approximately 44 million tonnes. At the level of primary manufacture this represents a value of around USD 23 billion.
  • Of this tonnage, around 70 per cent is consumed in windows for buildings, 10 per cent in glazing products for automotive applications and 20 per cent used in furniture and other interior applications.
  • Over the long term, the market is growing in volume terms at around 4 per cent a year.
  • Architects and car designers continue to increase the glass content in buildings and vehicles.
  • Demand for value-added products is growing at a faster rate than demand for basic glass, enriching the product mix and boosting the sales line.
  • Value-added products are delivering greater functionality to vehicle glazing and adding a further growth dimension to automotive glazing sales.

Glass

The glass industry may be one of the world’s oldest, but it continues to evolve to meet our ever-changing needs. Growing concerns for the environment, reducing the carbon footprint and customer requirements for brighter living spaces.

Today, glass is used in applications as diverse as packaging, decoration, automotive manufacture and architecture.

The nature of the industry and the products and services provided has lead to a diverse range of businesses from large global manufacturers to niche entrepreneurial glass design studios. The demand for glass is growing and the range of uses widening. Glass is part of our lives, past present and future. It is important we remember, acknowledge and preserve the past and to pass on the craft skills to future generations. It is important we compete globally in the manufacture and processing of glass to sustain a buoyant economy. It is important we invest in tomorrow’s technologies and generate high value products to meet market demand.

With this in mind, Proskills is committed to identifying the skills that the glass industry needs for a sustainable and profitable future; setting and driving up standards of courses and qualifications; and influencing funding and investment in skills and training.

In this section, you will find an industry profile and more information about Proskills’ current focus and activities, such as the Sector Skills Agreement (SSA) and current activities. A list of training standards and qualifications is available here, as well as advice on careers and information on becoming part of our Industry Board. Check back regularly for latest news and events listings.