According to a new report from companiesandmarkets.com, the world glass fibers market is expected to reach 8.5 million tons by 2017. Strong growth opportunities, particularly from a construction perspective, are coming from the Asia Pacific market.
By 2017, the world glass fibers market is expected to reach 8.5 million tons, according to a new report available from companiesandmarkets.com, with increasing demand for glass fiber coming from niche applications. Post-recession and the emerging economies of the Asia Pacific market are representing strong growth opportunities, particularly from a construction perspective.
Asia-Pacific, Europe and the US are the dominant geographical markets in the glass fiber market, with China holding over 50% of global glass fiber production capacity due to lower pricing.
This study splits the product segments of the maturing glass fibers market into glass wool and textile glass fiber.
Glass wool is used widely in the construction industry, although there is increased demand for the fiber within the advanced technology industries, such as aircraft, automotive, and electronics sectors. Textile glass fibers find applications in numerous sectors, and there is strong potential from within the telecommunications and electrical markets.
The markets are further segmented by end-use, e.g. for glass wool: housing construction, commercial/industrial/infrastructural, industrial/commercial equipment, and others.
The glass fiber market is highly competitive and consolidated in nature, with just six companies holding nearly three-quarters of the market in terms of production. Mergers and acquisitions are an important strategy adopted by industry participants, as there is limited opportunity for differentiation.
A number of key glass fiber market players are profiled, including Guardian Fiberglass Inc., Knauf, Owens Corning Inc., and Uralita Group.
The 471-page report, published in August 2011, provides a detailed analysis of the glass fiber market, incorporating statistical data from 2003-2017. Geographic markets analyzed include the Asia Pacific, Canada, Europe, Japan, Latin America, Middle East and US.
The report covers market landscape, key players and their products, trends and barriers/drivers to growth, as well as explaining production processes.