Glass Growth in Vehicles
Automotive glazing growth has been fuelled by worldwide vehicle build, which has grown by an average 2.6 per cent a year since 1991.
Additionally, over the last 35 years, glazing area on equivalent models has increased in the order of 50 per cent. Average windshield glazed area has increased by over 60 per cent over the same period. The use of large area rooflights is increasing significantly year on year. Larger glazed areas invariably require increasingly complex shapes, adding further to the value of glazings.
Demand has grown for value-added content such as:
- solar control properties, reducing solar heat gain;
- de-icing and de-misting capabilities;
- laminated sidelights, for security and noise attenuation;
- integrated antennas for radio, TV, mobile phone, navigation etc.;
- integrated rain sensors for automatic wiper activation;
- hydrophobic coatings for improved visibility.
Value-added activity includes the supply of complete glazing systems rather than just simple pieces of glass. These require innovative finishing technologies, such as encapsulation or extrusion, which enhance the vehicle’s styling and in certain cases, aerodynamics, as well as potentially adding functionality. Glazing manufacturers increasingly take responsibility for the design and assembly of complex glazing modules.