A STUDY ON THE

CONSUMER PERCEPTION OF
GLASS PRODUCTS IN INDIA

By,

Siddharth Agarwal
Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) - 2014
St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata

1
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank my college, St. Xavier’s College, Kolkata, for providing me with
the opportunity to undertake this project. I would also like to thank the college librarian,
Mr. Stephen for making available to me the vast resources of the college library.

I would also like to thank my parents for providing me with the time and money
needed to pursue the completion of this project. I would like to specially thank my father,
the proprietor of Royal Glass House for instilling within me a deep interest for glass and
making me conscious about its environmental benefits.

I would also like to thank Dr Shivaji Banerjee, who was a constant guide and support
throughout the development of this project. Lastly, I would like to thank my friends and
teachers who have contributed a pleasant experience to my education.

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 Internship Report

I did my Internship at Royal Glass House in Siliguri. My role at the firm was mostly concerned with
operations and inventory Management. My role involved the following tasks-

 Taking orders from the customer,

 Having the order processed according to individual requirements in time for delivery,
 Managing the glass inventory,
 Supervising the flow of materials to and from the warehouse.

At the firm, Order Processing involves Glass cutting, Glass edge polishing, bevelling, designing and
drilling holes.

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INDEX OF CONTENT
PAGE NO

1. Ch-1:
 Introduction to the study 5
 Need of the study 6
 Limitations of the study 7
 Objectives of the study 8

2. Ch-2:
 Literature Review 9
 Research Gap 10

3. Ch-3:
 Evolution of glass 11
 What is Glass 12
 Types of Glass 13
 Applications of Glass 17
 Environmental Benefits 23
 Overview of the Glass Industry in India 27
 Comparative study 29
31
 Market Analysis

4. Ch-4:
 Research Methodology 38
 Data Analysis 39
 SWOT Analysis 45
 Interpretation of data 46

5. Ch-5:
47
 Findings
48
 Conclusion
48
 Suggestions

6. Annexure 49
 Questionnaire 50
 Bibliography 53

4
Introduction

Glass has been in society in its most basic form since circa 4000BC and was used mainly to produce
weapons and jewellery, and by 1500BC glass vessels were used in cooking and drinking. Glass has
been developed for thousands of years and production methods have evolved considerably since its
induction.

A key factor that sparked a large increase in the mass production of glass was the development of
the Solvay process in the 1860s, which significantly reduced the cost of sodium oxide, a major input
into the glass production process. Two important developments in the 20th century were
automation, with the introduction of full mechanisation of bottle manufacture around 1920, and the
introduction of the float process in 1952 for flat glass.

Other major advancements in glass production have resulted from:

• Continuous large-scale production;

• Longer furnace lifetimes (typically 12-15 years, but in some cases (flat glass) even longer);

• Improved thermal efficiency;

• New production techniques (such as ‘Just-In Time’);

• Significant product innovation.

Improvements in the production process have led to a typical furnace output of 300 tonnes per day
of molten glass but in some sub-sectors, such as flat glass, this figure is even higher: 500 tonnes per
day is typical but some recent projects have hit 1000 tonnes per day.

Whilst production levels have increased, manufacturers have also strived to further improve
efficiency in what is an energy-intensive process, fuelled by the need to operate furnaces at over
1600oC.

Improvements in furnace efficiency have had a significant impact on the amount of energy required
to melt a tonne of glass. The recycling of glass has been a major factor since it uses 25% less energy
than making glass from virgin raw material. Whilst this performance may sound impressive, glass
producers have been put under further pressure from Governments to improve their efficiency due
to increased environmental concerns by society.

A feature of glass is its versatility and that its specification such as its strength, weight, colour and
appearance can be changed to suit demand.

5
Need of the study

Glass is a very widely used component, its applications ranging from small (glass bowl, spectacles) to
huge (entire buildings). In spite of its versatility in application, Glass is a significantly underused in
the Indian market. There are so many different types of glass, and their properties differ with the
type of processing it undergoes. Glass is also an eco- friendly product and clocks a signification
contribution towards the protection of the environment.

So many advantages, but glass has been continuously overlooked for cheaper alternatives like
concrete or non renewable products like wood. My study aims to explore the reasons for this
situation and determine how and to what extent the Indian market would be benefitted by a more
visible glass industry.

It seeks to inform the reader about the advantages of glass (stressfully, environmental) in
comparison to other building and packaging materials like wood, concrete, plastic, etc., so as to aid
in future decision making processes.

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Limitations of the study

The study of consumer perception was limited to a small sample size of 60 people due to time and
cost restraints. The respondents were chosen by convenience sampling, which has its own
disadvantages that apply in this study. Some disadvantages are in particular, a homogeneous
respondent group, i.e., most respondents are of the age group 19-21 and people I personally know.
This prevents generalisation of findings.

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OBJECTIVES

1. To present an overview of the glass and glazing industry In India.

2. To provide information on the types of glass produced and their characteristics.
3. To create a SWOT analysis for the glass and glazing industry in India.
4. To find consumer perception of glass and their awareness level regarding glass
characteristics.
5. To report on the potential for growth of demand for glass products in the Indian market.

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 LITERATURE REVIEW

STUDY

GLASS: A SMALL PART OF THE PROBLEM, A BIG PART OF THE SOLUTION-

By J. Stockdale (Environmental manager of British glass).

The study examines the relationship between the emissions from relevant sectors of the
glass industry and compares them with the carbon savings that can be achieved with the
products the industry makes. It has been found that the carbon savings by the appropriate
use of glass products far exceeds the carbon outlay incurred in making these glass products.
It suggests the wider use of glass as an environmental friendly product and as an answer to
the world’s energy and carbon problems. The study explores ways in which glass can be
used to reduce carbon emissions and increase energy savings. The main categories of
sustainable glass uses are - Four main areas are discussed: glass fibre insulation, advanced
glazing (low emissivity glass and advanced solar glass).

STUDY

UTILIZATION OF RECYCLED AND WASTE MATERIALS IN VARIOUS

CONSTRUCTION APPLICATIONS-
Johnny Bolden, Taher Abu-Lebdeh and Ellie Fini

The study suggests the use of recycled materials has a positive impact through different
aspects. This include the benefits in enhancing sustainability of the construction industry
while reducing cost, providing solutions to environmental pollution and reducing the need
for natural resources. In this study, a questionnaire survey was conducted to find out the
current practices in using waste and recycled materials in the construction industry. Results
indicated that some companies were not aware of the availability, quality of the materials’
performance, cost savings, or any other benefits including environmental benefits. It is, thus
recommended to create better documentation for green infrastructure, connecting
researches and industry with an overview of what recycled materials are available for
different construction applications. Companies need to be innovative in their use of recycled
materials and reduce their dependency on raw materials. Also, more data and better
documentations are needed to encourage the use of waste and recycled materials in the
construction industry.

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Research Gap

Studies exist to demonstrate the superiority of glass in environmental sustainability and its
possible role as the model material for construction, packaging and special glass
applications. It has been found that glass can be used to save energy and reduce carbon
emissions if used appropriately.

It has been recommended for the need and availability of proper documentation and
information to architects and engineers alike for appropriate use of glass for energy saving
situations. But a blank draws up when you want to gauge the level of awareness of daily
consumers of the products. This study has been done to address this gap and provide the
reader with information about the awareness of daily consumers and their perception about
glass products, their variety and application. It will be attempted to describe the features of
the glass industry to the reader, its environmental benefits and product benefits.

10
THEORETICAL
PERSPECTIVE

11
The Global Glass Market: A Macro Perspective

Evolution of Glass
The shot glass, as we know it today, has gone through an interesting evolution influenced by many
cultures. Glass has a long history of 5000 years.
 3100 BC Earliest glass artefacts found in Egypt
 1500 BC Small glass articles made from moulds have been found in Egypt and Syria. The first
glass was produced probably in Egypt.
 650 BC First glass making manual was written, Assyrian Assurbanipal's Library
 1 AD Technique of blowing glass was invented in the Babylon area.
 25-400 AD Rapid development and growth of glass melting, working and forming technology in
the Mediterranean region during the Roman Era
 100 AD Glass cost rapidly declines and for the first time becomes available to ordinary citizens
 600-699 Strong Islamic influence
 1000AD Domination of Venice glass centre in glass production. Murano Island became a major
glass centre.
 1226 ''Broad Sheet ‘was first produced in Sussex
 1330 French glassmakers produced ''crown glass'' in Rouen, France
 1500 Angelo Barovier invented ''cristallo'', clear, colourless glass
 1590 Development of glass telescope and microscope lenses in Netherlands
 1600 Caspar Lehman, a Praque glassmaker, used the technique of cutting rock crystal to glass
 1600 France became a major power in the glass industry
 1608 The first American glass was made by settlers in Jamestone
 1615 Introduction of coal furnaces in England
 1620 Production of ''Blown plate'' was produced in London
 1676 English glassmaker George Ravenscroft patented a formula for lead glass, heavy, clear
glass, ideal for cutting.
 1688 ``Polished plate`` was produced in France
 1690 William of Orange passed a law that lifted taxes on distilled spirits and encouraged
development and expansion of this industry
 1745 Glass Excise Act passed in England
 1765 ''Crystal glass'' production began a new era in glass industry
 1773 Glassworks of polished plate glass were established at Ravenshead in England
 1800 Industrial revolution dawned a new era in glass industry. Synthetic glasses with improved
properties were available for the first time
 1827 Glass pressing machine was invented in America
 1834 Robert Lucas Chance introduced ``Improved Cylinder Sheet``
 1843 Henry Bessemer introduced an early form of ``Float glass``
 1847 James Hartley invented ``Rolled plate``
 1867 First regenerative glass furnace was patented in German by Siemens brothers, Freiderich,
Karl, Hans, Werner and Wilhelm
 1875 Technical glasses were developed in Germany
 1903 An automatic glass blowing machine was invented by Michael Owens
 1913 Technique of ``Flat Drawn Sheet`` was introduced in Belgium
 1950-1960 Glass science became a major research discipline. Major glass research centre was
established by Ford Motor Co
 1959 "Float glass" was invented in UK by Sir Akistair Pilkington
 1984 First fluoride glass was discovered by Marcel and Michael Poulain and Jacques Lucas in
Rennes, France.

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What is Glass?

Glass is a solid-like and transparent material that is used in numerous applications in our daily lives.
Glass is made from natural and abundant raw materials (sand, soda ash and limestone) that are
melted at very high temperature to form a new material: glass.

At high temperature glass is structurally similar to liquids, however at ambient temperature it

behaves like solids. As a result, glass can be poured, blown, press and moulded.

Glass manufacturing has an age-old tradition which dates back to around 3500 BC when glass is
believed to have been first artificially produced in Egypt and Mesopotamia to be used as jewellery
and later as vessels. Since then processes have constantly evolved from craftsmanship to today’s
high-tech industrial processes and the number of glass types and applications have multiplied.

Glass has shaped Europe’s cultural heritage, regions, industries, living conditions, technological
deployments, etc. like no other substance. Simply think of glass masterpieces such as Bohemian
crystal, the Murano Island of Italy, the Mirros Gallery of Versailles’ palace or stained glass in
Cathedrals.

Glass is all around us nowadays and continues to offer cutting edge solutions, either in itself or used
in combination with other materials for high-tech applications; a trend which is very likely to
continue in the future.

Main Types of Glass

Today, flat glass comes in many highly specialised forms intended for different products and
applications. Flat glass produced by way of the float process is often further processed (see below)
to give it certain qualities or specificities. In this way, the industry can meet the various
requirements and needs of the construction, automotive and solar-energy industries:

• Annealed glass

• Toughened glass

• Laminated glass

• Coated glass

• Mirrored glass

• Patterned glass

• Extra-Clear glass

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Annealed Glass

Annealed glass is the basic flat glass product that is the first result of the float process. It is the
common glass that tends to break into large, jagged shards. It is used in some end products- often in
double glazed windows, for example. It is also the starting material that is turned into more
advanced products through further processing such as laminating, toughening, coating, etc.

Toughened Glass

Toughened glass is treated to be far more resistant to breakage than simple annealed glass, and to
break in a more predictable way when it does break, thus providing a major safety advantage in
almost all of its applications.

Toughened glass is made from annealed glass treated with a thermal tempering process. A sheet of
annealed glass is heated to above its "annealing point" of 600 °C; its surfaces are then rapidly cooled
while the inner portion of the glass remains hotter. The different cooling rates between the surface
and the inside of the glass produces different physical properties, resulting in compressive stresses
in the surface balanced by tensile stresses in the body of the glass. These counteracting stresses give
toughened glass its increased mechanical resistance to breakage, and are also, when it does break,
what cause it to produce regular, small, typically square fragments rather than long, dangerous
shards that are far more likely to lead to injuries. Toughened glass also has an increased resistance
to breakage as a result of stresses caused by different temperatures within a pane.

Toughened glass has extremely broad application in products both for buildings and for automobiles
and transport, as well as other areas. Car windshields and windows, glass portions of building
façades, glass sliding doors and partitions in houses and offices, glass furniture such as table tops,
and many other products typically use toughened glass. Products made from toughened glass often
also incorporate other technologies, especially in the building and automotive and transport sectors.

Laminated Glass

Laminated glass is made of two or more layers of glass with one or more "interlayer’s" of polymeric
material bonded between the glass layers.

Laminated glass is produced using one of two methods:

1. Poly Vinyl Butyral (PVB) laminated glass is produced using heat and pressure to sandwich a thin
layer of PVB between layers of glass. On occasion, other polymers such as Ethyl Vinyl Acetate (EVA)
or Polyurethane (PU) are used. This is the most common method.

2. For special applications, Cast in Place (CIP) laminated glass is made by pouring a resin into the
space between two sheets of glass that are held parallel and very close to each other.

Laminated glass offers many advantages. Safety and security are the best-known of these -- rather
than shattering on impact, laminated glass is held together by the interlayer, reducing the safety

14
hazard associated with shattered glass fragments, as well as, to some degree, the security risks
associated with easy penetration. But the interlayer also provides a way to apply several other
technologies and benefits, such as colouring, sound dampening, and resistance to fire, ultraviolet
filtering, and other technologies that can be embedded in or with the interlayer.

Laminated glass is used extensively in building and housing products and in the automotive and
transport industries. Most building façades and most car windscreens, for example, are made with
laminated glass, usually with other technologies also incorporated.

Coated

Surface coatings can be applied to glass to modify its appearance and give it many of the advanced
characteristics and functions available in today's flat glass products, such as low maintenance,
special reflection/transmission/absorption properties, scratch resistance, corrosion resistance, etc.

Coatings are usually applied by controlled exposure of the glass surface to vapours, which bind to
the glass forming a permanent coating. The coating process can be applied while the glass is still in
the float line with the glass still warm, producing what is known as "hard-coated" glass.

Alternatively, in the "off-line" or "vacuum" coating process, the vapour is applied to the cold glass
surface in a vacuum vessel.

Mirrored Glass

To produce mirrored glass, a metal coating is applied to one side of the glass. The coating is
generally made of silver, aluminium, gold or chrome. For simple mirrored glass, a fully reflective
metal coating is applied and then sealed with a protective layer. To produce "one-way" mirrors, a
much thinner metal coating is used, with no additional sealing or otherwise opaque layer.

Mirrored glass is gaining a more prominent place in architecture, for important functional reasons as
well as for the aesthetic effect.

Patterned

Patterned glass is flat glass whose surfaces display a regular pattern. The most common method for
producing patterned glass is to pass heated glass (usually just after it exits the furnace where it is
made) between rollers whose surfaces contain the negative relief of the desired pattern(s).

Patterned glass is mostly used in internal decoration and internal architecture. Today, it is typically
used for functional reasons, where light but not transparency is desired, and the patterns are
accordingly subtle.

However, it has also at times been fashionable as a design feature in itself, in such cases often
displaying more prominent patterns.

Extra-Clear glass

Extra-clear glass is not the result of processing of annealed glass but instead a specific type of melted
glass. Extra-clear glass differs from other types of glass by its basic raw material composition. In

15
particular, this glass is made with a very low iron-content in order to minimize its sun reflection
properties. It therefore lets as much light as possible through the glass. It is most particularly of use
for solar-energy applications where it is important that the glass cover lets light through to reach the
thermal tubes or photovoltaic cells. Anti-reflective properties can be further increased by applying a
special coating on the low-iron glass. It can also be used in windows or facades as it offers excellent
clarity, which allows occupants to appreciate true colours and to enjoy unimpaired views.

Glass-making
Glass industries are characterised by a multitude of production processes depending on the final
product manufactured and its end-applications. However, all these manufacturing processes have a
common origin: glass first needs to be melted!

Glass melting requires raw materials which are of two kinds: different types of sand and recycled
glass. These raw materials are mixed together, charged in a furnace where there are melted at
around 1500°C to form molten glass. The molten glass is then taken out of the furnace to be shaped
and cooled down afterwards. For many applications the glass obtained may be further processed to
have specific properties such as increased mechanic strength and higher resistance to breakage.

The exact composition of glass may vary to meet specific applications requirements but the most
commonly use type of glass, soda-lime glass, is made of silica sand, soda ash, limestone, dolomite
and glass cullet (recycled glass). Additional materials such as iron oxide or cobalt can be added to the
mix to give a green or blue colour to the glass.

Main glass sectors

The glass industries comprise five sectors covering different glass products, applications and
markets.

Container glass

Container glass is the largest sector of the EU glass industries and accounts for some 60% of the
total EU glass production.

The container glass industry provides a wide range of glass packaging products for food and
beverages as well flacons for perfumery, cosmetics and pharmacy to a world-wide customer base.

With its 160 manufacturing plants distributed all over Europe it is an important contributor to
Europe’s real economy and provides direct employment to about 50,000 people, while creating a
large number of job opportunities along the total supply chain.

Building, automotive, solar-energy glass (flat glass)

The flat glass sector is the second largest sector of the European glass industries and represents
about 30% of the total EU glass production. The main markets for flat glass are the building
(windows and facades) and automotive industries (windscreens, side and rear-side glazing,
backlights and sunroofs). Flat glass is also used in solar-energy applications (photovoltaic and solar
thermal panels) as well as in urban and domestic furniture, appliances, mirrors and greenhouses.

16
Float plants are the biggest glass manufacturing sites with production capacities of up to 850 tonnes
of melted glass per day.

Continuous-filament glass fibre

The production of continuous filament glass fibre (CFCG) is one of the smallest sectors of the glass
industry in terms of tonnage although the products have a relatively high value to mass ratio.
Continuous filament glass fibre is mainly used for the production of composite materials as weight
lightning reinforcement component. Continuous filament glass fibre applications are known as fibre
reinforced polymers or glass reinforced plastics. The sector covers applications ranging from the
automotive and transportation sector (such as aircrafts) to wind energy, agriculture, construction,
communication, electrical and electronic as well as sport and leisure. In tonnage, CFCG represents
more than 80% of all reinforcement fibres used in composite worldwide.

Domestic glass

This sector comprises the manufacturing of glass tableware, cookware and decorative items such as
drinking glasses, bowls, plates, cookware, vases and ornaments.

Special glass

These products have a high added-value linked to their intense technological content. This sector
regroups a large range of products such as lighting glass, glass tubes, laboratory glassware, glass
ceramics, heat- resistant glass, optical and ophthalmic glass, extra thin glass for the electronics
industry, (e.g. LCD panels, photovoltaic’s) and radiation protection glasses.

Applications
Glass is an unlimited and innovative material that has plenty of applications. It is an essential
component of numerous products that we use every day, most often without noticing it. It is clear
that modern life would not be possible without glass.

Glass is used in the following non-exhaustive list of products:

• Packaging (jars for food, bottles for drinks, flacon for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals)

• Tableware (drinking glasses, plate, cups, bowls)

• Housing and buildings (windows, facades, conservatory, insulation, reinforcement structures)

• Interior design and furniture (mirrors, partitions, balustrades, tables, shelves, lighting)

• Appliances and Electronics (oven doors, cook top, TV, computer screens, smart-phones)

• Automotive and transport (windscreens, backlights, light weight but reinforced structural
components of cars, aircrafts, ships, etc.)

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• Medical technology, biotechnology, life science engineering, optical glass

• Radiation protection from X-Rays (radiology) and gamma-rays (nuclear)

• Fibre optic cables (phones, TV, computer: to carry information)

• Renewable energy (solar-energy glass, wind turbines)

Solar-energy glass products

Flat glass is an integral component of many solar energy technologies, including solar thermal
collectors, photovoltaic modules and Concentrated Solar Power plants. Although the solar energy
market for flat glass is relatively small in volume compared to the building and automotive markets,
it is fast expending due to the increasing demand for renewable energy. It is also a market of high
added-value glass products and a strong driver for innovations.

Glass in solar energy applications plays an active role in ensuring efficient and effective solar energy
conversion. Glass is designed to optimise solar energy conversion while providing long term
protection against external conditions. Extra clear glass, with low iron oxide content is typically used
in solar applications.

Either float or patterned, low iron glass may be coated with an anti-reflecting coating to further
increase performance. Glass may also be toughened to increase strength and durability. Coatings on
glass can also play a functional role in solar energy conversion. For example, transparent conductive
coating can be used as an electrical contact in some photovoltaic technologies allowing the light
through to the photovoltaic material while conducting the general electricity out of the modules.

Glass in Solar Thermal Application

Solar thermal collectors are intended to collect heat - as opposed to photovoltaic panels which
convert sunlight into electrical power. The collected solar heat can be used to supply hot water or
heat exchangers, for domestic or industrial applications.

There are various kinds of solar thermal collectors but most require a flat glass cover, or glazing,
which serves not only to protect the panel while letting the sunlight through but also to prevent
cooling of the panel from exposure to cold air.

Glass in Photovoltaic Applications

Photovoltaic technologies are used to convert solar energy directly into electricity. There are many
different technologies available to suit various requirements, from domestic systems to utility scale.
Photovoltaic panels come in various shapes and colours offering flexibility for design integration and
building integrated applications (BIPV). The most common photovoltaic technology is based on
crystalline silicon solar cells. In this application glass acts as a protective outer layer, while
transmitting the solar light to the photovoltaic cells interconnected underneath. Other photovoltaic
technologies include thin film photovoltaic where solar cells are deposited as a sequence of thin
films on glass. In these technologies, transparent conductive coated glass can be used as the front
glass upon which the films are grown. The conductive coating not only allows light through to the
photoactive films, but also conducts the generated electricity out of the modules.

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Glass and mirrors in Concentrated Solar Power Systems

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are used to produce electricity from the sun at utility scale.
These systems are mainly used in regions with high levels of solar irradiance. CSP systems use lenses
or mirrors to concentrate a large amount of sunlight onto a central receiver, thereby producing
electricity either by concentrating the sunlight onto a high performance photovoltaic cell or by
heating a transfer fluid to supply heat to a conventional thermodynamic power plant. For CSP
systems, extra clear glass and mirrored glass are used to redirect accurately the maximum amounts
of light towards the focal point.

Other Glass Applications

Flat glass is used in many other applications than the main building, transport and solar-energy ones
described previously. These applications are very visible in every-day life and illustrate how glass is a
vector of comfort, style, well-being, security and safety. Some of these are:

 Thin glass
 Appliances
 Furniture
 Greenhouses
 Urban furniture
 Radiation protection
 Flat glass for automotives and transport
 Buses and coaches
 Agricultural and forestry machinery
 Ships and boats
 Aircraft
 Trains

Characteristics of Automotive and Transport Glass

Europe's glazing manufacturers are constantly striving to deliver products that provide the best
possible technological solutions to meet automobile manufacturers' and end-users needs from a
comfort, safety and security perspective, whilst at the same time helping the industry to meet its
climate commitments.

Safety and Security

Glass plays an important role in the car's ability to offer safety and security to its passengers. The
automobile industry is making increasing use of laminated glass, which is a "sandwich" of two glass
sheets with a thin but tough plastic layer in between. The layers are bonded to each other under
controlled heat and pressure. If the glass suffers an impact, the glass layers may fragment but,
depending on the force of the impact, the plastic interlayer will hold.

This is a safety advantage for the driver and passengers in case of an accident, keeping them inside
the vehicle and absorbing some of the energy of the impact. Moreover, after an impact the resulting

19
glass fragments tend to remain attached to the plastic interlayer, reducing the hazards of sharp
projectiles during an accident. And the fact that windows made of laminated glass will tend to
remain in their frame greatly improves the performance of the side airbags, providing the necessary
support during inflation.

Laminated glass also offers a considerable security advantage making it much more difficult to break
into the car (on average, it takes 10 times as long to penetrate a car window made of laminated glass
than one made of toughened glass).

A different kind of passenger-safety factor is provided by UV (ultraviolet) filter glass, which blocks
harmful UV rays to protect skin and eyes (as well as the materials of the car's interior). UV filter glass
blocks 95% of harmful UV rays from entering the vehicle, keeping the driver and passenger’s safe
and greatly extending the life of upholstery and fabrics. UV filter technology can be incorporated
into laminated glass for optimal safety and security.

Visibility and Visual Comfort

Good visibility conditions are the key to driving safety, and visual comfort (for example, light
reflections and glare) is part of visibility. The driver's field of vision is influenced by the light the
windscreen allows into the cabin. Indeed, bright sunlight causes glare, rain smears the windscreen,
condensation clouds the view, and ice build-up blocks out almost everything. Today's vehicle glazing
technologies can deal with all of these.

Antireflective Glass

Reflections on the inside of the windscreen can be disturbing to the visual comfort and
concentration of the driver. This is compounded by current design trends that lean towards lighter
dashboards that are more strongly reflected in the windscreen. Anti-reflective glass, which is treated
with a special coating, can reduce these reflections by up to 40% at a reflective angle of 60 degrees,
and also helps reduce glare.

Hydrophobic Glass

Hydrophobic glass is coated with a polymeric layer that repels water, causing rain or other water to
run off the glass without leaving droplets and also greatly improving the effectiveness of windshield
wipers in completely clearing water from the windscreen. This leads to significant increases in
visibility under wet conditions.

Heatable Glass

In heatable glass, invisible wires or an invisible metallic coating - in each case embedded into the
interlayer of the laminated windscreen - respond to an electrical charge by raising the temperature
of the glass, in cold weather speeding the removal of any condensation or ice and then of course
preventing any further condensation or ice build-up.

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Thermal Comfort

Today's increased use of glass in cars means that, without the right technologies, more solar energy
will penetrate the interior of the car, causing high temperatures. For example, when the outside
temperatures is 27°C, without anti-heat technologies, a car interior can heat up to 58°C in few
minutes. Combating this solely by way of air-conditioning alone would be an environmentally
unfriendly approach, leading as it would to higher fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

In recent years, the industry has developed solar control glazing. This type of glass is specially
engineered to reduce vehicle cabin by up to 7 or 8°C temperature, and reduce heat penetration in
vehicles exposed to solar radiation by over 25%. In this way a significant amount of energy is saved
from powering air conditioning units while passengers comfort is safeguarded.

Solar control glazing

Solar control glazing has a coating that allows it to reduce the transmission of solar heat from the
external environment while still permitting the optimal light transmission essential to ideal driving
conditions. This type of glazing can reduce by over 25% the heat penetration in vehicles exposed to
solar radiation, thus reducing the need for the use of fuel-hungry cooling systems. Dark-tinted
glazing and switchable glazing also have solar control properties which can reduce the amount of
solar heat entering the vehicle's cabin.

Acoustic Comfort

Acoustic laminated glass technologies have been developed to combat levels of noise penetration in
vehicles, which can have an effect on people's health, causing disturbance and stress if an occupant
is exposed over a prolonged period. Noise mainly comes from the sound of the car's engine, air and
other environmental factors (e.g. other cars, roadwork, etc.). When using specific acoustic laminated
glass, improvement of the order of 3-5dB1 can be reached, which is quite noticeable to the ear.
Lower noise levels mean that the driver will become less tired, and make communication inside the
vehicles more comfortable, thus contributing to overall safety.

Acoustic glazing

Acoustic glazing consists of two or more sheets of glass, bonded together with one or more acoustic
interlayer. The interlayer act as a noise-dampening core, weakening the sound as it travels through
the glass. Acoustic laminated glass also benefits from all the safety and security properties of
standard laminated glass. Moreover, acoustic windscreens reduce the need for heavier glazing,
which allows car manufacturers to reduce vehicle weight.

Style and Taste

A car is, for many people, a reflection of their desired image or style, expressing an element of who
they are and what they enjoy. And the car's glass is an important visual component of this. Some
people prefer the privacy of darkly tinted glass (or the "VIP image" that goes with it), others like
more light and openness.

21
Light and aerodynamic design requires glazed surfaces of increasingly complex geometries, which
can be real manufacturing challenges to ensure durability and perfect vision. Manufacturers are
therefore continuously developing advanced glass shaping techniques which allow for the bending
and shaping of the glass to offer car makers the freedom to achieve their design and style concepts.

According to the specific design characteristics of the brand and the expectations of clients, glass
manufacturers also offer a range of different colours (e.g. green glass, dark tinted, etc.) which
contribute to the car's colour harmony and make the car model unique:

Dark tinted glass keeps the interior cool by absorbing solar energy and at the same time offers
privacy for passengers in the back of the car (dark tinted glass is not permitted for the driver and
forward-passenger windows, neither for the windscreen). Dark tinted glass is available in several
colours and each colour in several shades from lighter to very dark.

Switchable glazing, which responds to varying electrical conditions with correspondingly different
colour properties, allows for the creation of a "customised" interior ambience. Via a simple dial, a
driver or passengers can control the amount of light entering the vehicle - blocking anywhere from
4% to 40%. Heat from sunlight can be reduced by anywhere from 2 to 20%. One can select a lighter
tint on cloudy days, and then darken it when the sun reappears, or simply change the lighting to suit
one's mood or create an appearance appropriate for the occasion.

22
 Environmental Benefits

Glass Recycling Facts

 Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity –
something no other food and beverage packaging option can claim.
 Glass is made from readily-available domestic materials, such as sand, soda ash,
limestone and “cullet,” the industry term for furnace-ready scrap glass.
 The only material used in greater volumes than cullet is sand. These materials are mixed,
or “batched,” heated to a temperature of 2600 to 2800 degrees Fahrenheit and
moulded into the desired shape.
 Recycled glass is substituted for up to 70% of raw materials.
 Manufacturers benefit from recycling in several ways: Recycled glass reduces emissions
and consumption of raw materials, extends the life of plant equipment, such as
furnaces, and saves energy.
 Recycled glass containers are always needed because glass manufacturers require high-
quality recycled container glass to meet market demands for new glass containers.
 Cullet is always part of the recipe for glass, and the more that is used, the greater the
decrease in energy used in the furnace. This makes using cullet profitable in the long
run, lowering costs for glass container manufacturers—and benefiting the environment.
 Glass containers for food and beverages are 100% recyclable, but not with other types of
glass. Other kinds of glass, like windows, ovenware, Pyrex, crystal, etc. are manufactured
through a different process. If these materials are introduced into the glass container
manufacturing process, they can cause problems and defective containers.
 Other types of glass, like windows, ovenware, Pyrex, crystal, etc. are manufactured
through a different process. If these materials are introduced into the manufacturing
process, they can cause production problems and defective containers.
 Furnace-ready cullet must also be free of contaminants such as metals, ceramics, gravel,
stones, etc.
 Colour sorting makes a difference, too. Glass manufacturers are limited in the amount of
mixed colour-cullet (called "3 mix") they can use to manufacture new containers.
Separating recycled container glass by colour allows the industry to ensure that new
bottles match the colour standards required by glass container customers.
 Some recycled glass containers are not able to be used in the manufacture of new glass
bottles and jars or to make fibreglass. This may be because there is too much
contamination or the recycled glass pieces are too small to meet manufacturing

23
 specifications. Or, it may be that there is not a nearby market for bottle-to-bottle
recycling. This recovered glass is then used for non-container glass products. These
"secondary" uses for recycled container glass can include tile, filtration, sand blasting,
concrete pavements and parking lots.
 The recycling approach that the industry favours is any recycling program that results in
contaminant-free recycled glass. This helps ensure that these materials are recycled into
new glass containers. While curbside collection of glass recyclables can generate high
participation and large amounts of recyclables, drop-off and commercial collection
programs tend to yield higher quality recovered container glass.

Glass Recycling Statistics

 Glass bottles and jars are 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without any loss
in purity or quality.
 Over a ton of natural resources are saved for every ton of glass recycled.
 Energy costs drop about 2-3% for every 10% cullet used in the manufacturing process.
 One ton of carbon dioxide is reduced for every six tons of recycled container glass used
in the manufacturing process.
 There are 49 glass manufacturing plants operating in 22 states. Over 80 cullet, or
recycled glass, processors are in 35 states. On average, a typical glass processing facility
can handle 20 tons of colour-sorted glass per hour.
 In 2011 over 41% of beer and soft drink bottles were recovered for recycling, according
to the U.S. EPA. Another nearly 34% of wine and liquor bottles and 15% of food and
other glass jars were recycled. In total, 34.2% of all glass containers were recycled,
equivalent to taking 210,000 cars off the road each year.
 States with container deposit legislation have an average glass container recycling rate
of just over 63%, while non-deposit states only reach about 24%, according to the
Container Recycling Institute.
 Beverage container deposit systems provide 11 to 38 times more direct jobs than
curbside recycling systems for beverage containers. (Source: The Container Recycling
Institute, "Returning to Work: Understanding the Jobs Impacts from Different Methods
of Recycling Beverage Containers").
 About 18% of beverages are consumed on premise, like a bar, restaurant, or hotel. And
glass makes up to about 80% of that container mix.
 In 2008, NC passed a law requiring all Alcohol Beverage Permit holders to recycle their
beverage containers. Since then, they have boosted the amount of glass bottles
recovered for recycling from about 45,000 tons/year before the ABC law to more than
86,000 tons in 2011.
 Glass bottles have been reduced in weight by more than 50% between 1970 and 2000.
 Recycled glass is substituted for up to 70% of raw materials.

24
 Manufacturers benefit from recycling in several ways—it reduces emissions and
consumption of raw materials, extends the life of plant equipment, such as furnaces,
and saves energy.

PACKAGED GLASS FACTS

 Glass is 100% recyclable and can be recycled endlessly without loss in quality or purity.

 Legislation such as container deposit measures will further enhance the benefits
associated with glass packaging.

 80% of the glass that is recovered is made into new glass products.

 A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as little as 30 days. An
estimated 80% of recovered glass containers are made into new glass bottles.

 Glass is nonporous and impermeable, so there are no interactions between glass

packaging and products to affect the flavour of food and beverages. No nasty after taste
- ever.

 Glass has an almost zero rate of chemical interactions, ensuring that the products inside
a glass bottle keep their strength, aroma, and flavour.

 When consumers choose foods or beverages that are packaged in glass, they avoid
potential risks while enjoying a number of benefits.

Solar Energy Glass Products

Flat glass is an integral component of many solar energy technologies, including solar
thermal collectors, photovoltaic modules and concentrated solar power plants. The solar
energy market for flat glass is one of high added-value glass products and a strong driver for
innovation. However, despite Europe's technological lead, a crumbling European market
and unfair trade practices in the entire value chain have severely hit Europe's production.

Glass is designed to optimise solar energy conversion while providing long term protection
against external conditions. Extra, with low iron oxide content is typically used in solar
applications. Either float or patterned, low iron glass may be coated with an anti-reflecting
coating to further increase performance. Transparent conductive coating can also be used
as an electrical contact in some photovoltaic technologies allowing the light through to the
photovoltaic material while conducting the general electricity out of the modules. Glass may
also be toughened to increase strength and durability.

25
SOLAR APPLICATIONS

Glass in solar thermal applications

Solar thermal collectors are intended to collect heat - as opposed to photovoltaic panels
which convert sunlight into electrical power. The collected solar heat can be used to supply
hot water or heat exchangers, for domestic or industrial applications.

There are various kinds of solar thermal collectors but most require a flat glass cover, or
glazing, which serves not only to protect the panel while letting the sunlight through but
also to prevent cooling of the panel from exposure to cold air.

Glass in photovoltaic applications

Photovoltaic technologies are used to convert solar energy directly into electricity. There are
many different technologies available to suit various requirements, from domestic systems
to utility scale. Photovoltaic panels come in various shapes and colours offering flexibility for
design integration and building integrated applications (BIPV).

The most common photovoltaic technology is based on crystalline silicon solar cells. In this
application glass acts as a protective outer layer, while transmitting the solar light to the
photovoltaic cells interconnected underneath.

Other photovoltaic technologies include thin film where solar cells are deposited as a
sequence of thin films on glass. In these technologies, transparent conductive coated glass
can be used as the front glass upon which the films are grown. The conductive coating not
only allows light through to the photoactive films, but also conducts the generated
electricity out of the modules.

Glass and mirrors in concentrated solar power Systems

Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) systems are used to produce electricity from the sun at
utility scale. These systems are mainly used in regions with high levels of solar irradiance.
CSP systems use lenses or mirrors to concentrate a large amount of sunlight onto a central
receiver, thereby producing electricity either by concentrating the sunlight onto a high
performance photovoltaic cell or by heating a transfer fluid to supply heat to a conventional
thermodynamic power plant. For CSP systems, extra clear glass and mirrored glass are used
to redirect accurately the maximum amounts of light towards the focal point.

26
Overview

Glass as a material to be used in buildings has been around for centuries. But the importance that it
has assumed in modern architecture transcends its status as a building component and elevates it to
a status that perhaps no other material has reached before. Today, glass is not just a means of
letting light into a space and achieving protection from the elements, but a statement of style,
awareness and an expression of the designer and the client's ideological stand on the environment.

The Indian market scenario

Structural glazing and curtain walling were first seen in the United States in the mid 40s. From North
America, the technology spread first to Europe, then to Australia and then to South East Asia. The
first building in India that had a curtain wall was the Le Meridian Hotel in New Delhi, which was
constructed in the early 80s in preparation for the Asian Games. By the 90s, curtain walls were
accepted as standard technology for high-end buildings in the country, with an explosion of projects
in Mumbai and the NCR region, and later, in Bangalore, Hyderabad and Chennai, driven by the IT
boom. Today, structural glazing is a norm rather than an exception for malls and corporate
structures across the nation.

The glass and glazing industry for architectural application in India for the year 2000 was estimated
at a minimum of Rs 100 crores. Of this, the glass component would be about 1.2 million square
meters. Indian and imported ACP would come to about 1 million square meters and another 700,000
square meters would constitute residential windows.

In geographical terms, the South Indian region dominated by Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and
parts of Kerala, contributes to 30 percent of the glass consumption. West India follows with 29
percent. Here Mumbai, Pune and parts of Gujarat are big consumers. The North Indian market,
comprising mainly of Delhi and the National Capital Region accounts for 20 percent of the total
architectural glass and glazing market. East India currently contributes only 7 percent of the
consumption. However, with a renewed focus on real estate in West Bengal, this is set to change
and this regional market is growing very fast.

Glazing market size: India

The growth of the Indian glazing market is impressive. While it was an Rs 1 billion market in the year
2004, it is estimated to touch Rs 340 billion by 2015. Even so, this is a very small market size
compared to other evolving market for the glass industry. For instance, the Bangkok International
Airport job, used glass worth USD 84 million, which is nearly the size of the entire Indian glass
market! The total Thai Market for 2004 was estimated at USD 1.6 billion and is said to be the fastest
growing market in Asia.

The sheer capacity for production of glass in India is so low as compared to other countries. India at
present has about 3-4 float lines and 14 glass processors. In comparison, China has 140 float lines
and over 800 glass processors. The Chinese glazing market for 2004 was estimated at between USD
4-5 billion.

India exports about 13,000 tonne of glass per month to the Middle East, African countries, Europe
and South America. The rapid increase in the demand for flat glass in the domestic market has
resulted in a cutback in exports by as much as 60% in the last couple of years.

Major Indian Players

27
  Asahi India
 Saint-Gobain Glass
 Haryana Sheet Glass
 Gujarat Borosil
 Triveni Sheet Glass
 IAG Co.
 Schott Glass
 Jai Mata Glass

Outlook for Indian glass industry

India is at an early stage in terms of market maturity at present, but glass demand is growing
steadily. Aggressive and organized efforts on the part of manufacturers and processors are expected
to achieve higher levels of awareness among glass specifies and users. In the next five years, the
Indian architectural glass market will move to higher maturity levels. However, policy and
regulations including the lack of standards and glass codes for India are a source of anxiety for
manufacturers and processors alike. The industry also needs increased exposure. Followed the
opening up of FDI for the real estate sector, here appears to be more chance of foreign investors
coming in and a greater demand for international standards in construction. This, and the ever-
growing popularity of glass as a material, will ensure growth. Further, constant technical innovations
by manufacturers are keeping customers constantly interested in glass and glass products.

Glass Consumption: India

Industry Current share Growth

estimated
Construction 65% 9%

Automotive 15% 19%

Consumer 12% 12%

goods
Pharmaceuticals 8% 14%

Glass Consumption
Construction

Automotive

Consumer goods

Pharmaceutical
goods

28
COMPARATIVE STUDY

If we compare the Glass markets, we find that India with the second most population in the
world does not capture even a slice of the pie shown below. Seven south east countries
totally gather 7% of the market. Compare this to china, which with the highest population in
the world can boast of 50% of the total glass market.

MARKET SHARE

29
Comparison of per-capita consumption: South Asia

14

12

10
India
8 China
Malaysia
6
Thailand
4 Indonesia

0
Per Capita Consumption

Consumption
Countries per capita (in
kg)

India 0.8

China 3.5

Malaysia 12

Thailand 5.2

Indonesia 2.5

30
MARKET ANALYSIS

The glass industry represents a number of definable product segments: (a) flat glass including Float
Glass, (b)glass containers and hollowware, (c) vacuum glass, (d) domestic and industrial glassware,
(e) crystal glass, (f)fibreglass, (g) glass wool, (h) TV picture tube glass shells, and (I) laboratory glass.
Most of the glass products have both industrial and consumer usages. Laboratory glass is a minor
constituent. So are fibreglass and glass wool- although fibreglass is gaining momentum increasingly.
The total market of glass was valued at Rs 40 bn in 2007-08 with 83% supplied by domestic
producers.
The industry is growing at around 8% per annum. Consumption per capita of glass in India is only
about 0.8 kg compared to 3.5 kg in China, 5.2 kg in Thailand, 12 kg in Malaysia and 2.5 kg in
Indonesia. The total organised producers in the glass market have a turnover estimated at over Rs 40
bn, represented by a fairly large number of suppliers.
The dominance of China as a major market supplier of glass products has been increasing with
economic liberalisation and rising foreign investment. China accounts for about one-third share in
the worldwide demand of flat glass. India has one of the lowest per capita flat glass consumption but
with rapid growth in domestic construction and automotive market, it presents a significant
opportunity for global majors, which have entered the market in a big way.
The two main entrants in the glass industry in the recent years have been Float Glass (a
technological variant of flat or sheet glass) and crystal ware. Fibreglass and glass wool are still a small
turnover industry but has been operating in India for quite some time.
Flat glass is segmented into conventional sheet glass and Float Glass. Float Glass is stronger (by 25%)
than normal sheet glass. It also has a much higher degree of optical clarity. Other varieties include
figured and wired glass.
The flat glass industry expanded by about 90% between 2000 and 2007, resulting in a compound
annual growth rate of 11%. This led the per capita consumption of glass, which was 0.41 kg in 1999,
to reach 0.80 kg level in 2007. The demand for flat glass in India has increased at an average rate of
12% each year for the past five years. Respective market shares of float and sheet glass are 89% and
11%. The two main consuming sectors of flat glass in India are the construction and automotive
industries, both of which had been experiencing impressive
Growth for five years ending 2007-08.
Float Glass is a capital intensive process and the minimum economic size calls for a large investment.
The segment witnessed the creation of large capacities in a very short time. The demand for float
glass witnessed a phenomenal growth due to the comparative product quality at a relatively
acceptable price. But it soon found it difficult even to sustain quantities.
Capacities to the tune of nearly 70 mn sqm were installed. Float Glass India had a capacity of 29 mn
sqm, Gujarat Guardian of 24 mn sqm and Triveni Sheet Glass of 15 mn sqm.
The industry has been facing rough weather due to various factors: over-capacity, depressed growth
in demand and cheap imports. An excess capacity of raw glass in the industry was experienced in the
beginning of 2006. This excess capacity could become larger if current investment plans saw the light
of day. In 2007, the excess capacity was four times that of 2006 and in 2008 it could be six times that
of 2006. This is based on the assumption that
Demand continued to grow at the current double-digit pace. It is interesting that the aggregate
profit of flat-glass manufacturers in India is still operating in the red area. As far as over-capacity is
concerned, it is expected that the supply will far exceed demand at least until 2009. Excess capacity,
intense competition and the development of a regulatory framework are the real future challenges
for the Indian glass industry. The major players including Gujarat Guardian, Indo Asahi, Triveni Glass,
Gujarat Borosil and Float Glass India have been accumulating heavy

31
losses. Some units were at the verge of turning sick. About 83% of the glass produced is used in the
construction industry, 15% in the automotive industry and 2% in miscellaneous industries, such as
furniture and photo frames.
India exports about 13,000 tonne of glass per month to the Middle East, African countries, Europe
and South America. The rapid increase in the demand for flat glass in the domestic market has
resulted in a cutback in exports by as much as 60% in the last couple of years.
Asahi India has plants at Taloja in Maharashtra and Roorkee in Uttar Pradesh. Asahi India's two
plants produce 500 tonne and 750 tonne per day. In 1994, it started off as a joint venture between
the Tatas and Asahi of Japan. With the exit of the Asahi in 2003, it was taken over by Asahi India
Safety, the automotive glass manufacturing company. The merged entity is known as Asahi India
Glass Ltd. The company set up Float Glass with a 750-ton capacity in early 2007 at Uttrakhand in
North India. Asahi India has a market share of 16% in the Indian float glass industry, which was
expected to increase to over 25% post-commissioning of the Roorkee Plant.
Apart from a very large number of small players in the glass industry, there are some 76 large and
medium-sized producers. Of these, 44 produce containers and hollowware with a capacity of 1.5 mn
tonnes, which registered a production of 1.43 mn tonnes. Although a good packaging medium, glass
containers are progressively being replaced by substitute materials like plastics, aluminium and
tetrapack. Glass, however, is the relatively more ecofriendly of materials.
Presently, there are 8 players manufacturing vacuum flasks and refills with a production of about 25
mn units. Nearly 30% of flasks produced are exported to developed countries of the USA, the UK and
Germany besides the industry is exporting to Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and African countries.
Hindustan National Glass (HNGL), the largest and most prolific producer of glass containers, is
operating at present 10 furnaces at five locations (Rishra, Bahagugragh, Pondicherry, Rishikesh and
Nashik) with 42 production lines. In addition HNG has acquired a glass container manufacturing unit
of Haryana Sheet Glass Limited at Neemrana, Rajasthan. In the 3200 ml segment, HNG Group is the
undisputed market leader catering to around 70% of the domestic market in the pharmaceutical,
beverage, processed food, cosmetic and liquor sectors covering industry majors like Coca Cola,
Dabur, GlaxoWellcome, Nestle, Pepsi, Reckitt Benckiser, Smithkline Beecham, UB Group.
Besides, the company also exports to South East, Middle East, Africa and First World Countries in
Europe and North America.
The Group acquired the Glass Division of L&T at Nashik in October 2005, having one furnace of 320
tonnes per day (tpd) melting capacity. HNG has also entered into a scheme of amalgamation with
Ace Glass Containers (ACE).
Post-amalgamation HNGL's unaudited turnover in 2007-08 stood at over Rs 11 bn. Hindustan
National Glass had invested Rs 4 bn for capacity enhancement and up gradation of its Rishra Plant.
This investment helped the company to enhance its capacity by 70% from 260 tpd to 440 tpd. It has
a 30% market share in the glass container market, which was growing at a rate of over 7% during the
past few years. The company registered a growth of 21% in sales at Rs 5.16 bn in 2006-07. Net Profit
of the company increased at a more impressive rate of 41% in 2006-07, over the preceding year. The
sales for the company increased by 28% in 2008-09 over the preceding year while the net profit
remained stable.
HNG is setting up a new Float Glass plant at Halol, Gujarat. The capacity of this line will be 600 tpd
and is expected to be on stream by middle of 2009.
Gujarat Guardian (GGL) was the first company to set up float glass plant in India with a capacity to
produce 550 tonnes per day. It is a joint venture with technical and financial collaboration between
Guardian Industries Corporation of the United States and India's Modi Group. It was followed by
Float Glass India and Triveni Sheet Glass in 1996.

32
In addition to Float Glass, GGL manufactures coated glass, mirrors, tempered glass fibreglass and
automotive glass. GGL's Rs. 4.5 bn plant went into commercial production in March 1993, as the first
Float Glass manufacturing company with the state-of-the-art technology in Bharuch district of
Gujarat. The company enjoys a leadership position in the Indian glass market. The company exports
its products to several countries across the world. The company's products are sold under
Modiguard brand.
Gold Plus Glass, a New Delhi-based glass processor, has a significant market share in processing
glass industry. Its Roorkee-based Float Glass plant was to start production from 2008. The estimated
cost of this project is approximately Rs. 4 bn in the first phase. The planned capacity of this Float
Glass production line would be 460 tpd. The Float Glass production line is expected to produce clear
and green tinted glass from 2 to 19 mm thickness.
Sejal Glass, another prominent manufacturer of value added glass, based in Mumbai is setting up a
Float Glass manufacturing plant. The factory site is Bharuch (Gujarat), for which the construction has
already begun and production is expected to be on stream by middle of 2009. The plant will
undertake manufacturing of clear and tinted glass.
Saint-Gobain's two plants produce 550 tonne and 700 tonne per day. It started operations in 2000
and is India's largest capacity float plant. It is a 100% subsidiary of the Saint Gobain Group. The
company enjoys a market share of 26% and has plans to set up a production line for high-end
reflective glass.
Saint Gobain India had planned for an investment of Rs. 1.75 bn during 2007-09. Its manufacturing
capacity caters to the global markets in the automotive segment. By 2008, the company was to build
a capacity for manufacturing 1.5 mn wind shield, one million sets of door glass and another million
of rear glass for automobiles. The company is targeting revenue of 25% from export sales by 2009
from this segment.
Sales turnover increased for most of the companies in 2008-09 while net profit declined in the
same period. For Hindustan National Glass sales increased by 28% in that year while that of Asahi
India Glass rose by around 17%. In the former case net profit remained stable in 2008-09 while Asahi
India Glass produced a loss.

33
FLAT GLASS

34
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37
Research Methodology

The research was conducted in two categories-

Primary Research

The primary research was done through an online survey

Research Instrument

A Questionnaire has been used to collect data. The questionnaire consists of closed ended
questions, rating questions (particularly Likert’s five point scale) to measure attitudes.

The questionnaire was constructed using Google documents creator. It is divided into three
categories. The first is personal details, second, packaging, and lastly, buildings and interiors.

Sample

The sample size is 65. The respondents were chosen on a convenience sampling. Most
respondents are city dwellers in West Bengal, above the age of 18.

Data Collection

The data was collected online. The respondents were sent a link to the questionnaire
through social media, and mobile applications.

Secondary Research

The secondary research was done by reviewing books and articles over the years, and also corporate
presentations of the major glass producing companies. All of this research was done online.

38
DATA ANALYSIS

Analysis of primary data

39
40
41
42
43
44
SWOT ANALYSIS

STRENGTHS

 Aesthetic Value
 Light weight
 High technological innovation
 Product Variety
 Environmental sustainability
 Recycling

WEAKNESSES

 High cost of production

 High cost of Research and development

 Risk of transportation

 Breakable

 Safety concerns among consumers

 Low consumer awareness in Product quality, product variety and product application

OPPORTUNITIES

 Increase in disposable incomes leading to increase in demand for end user products
(liquor, cosmetics, etc.)
 Rapid urbanization

THREATS

 Low cost and low quality glass from china

 Direct competition from other industries- cement, plastic, etc.
 Low Consumer Awareness in Products quality, variety, and applications

45
INTERPRETATION OF DATA

1. More than 50% of the people surveyed prefer glass as the food packaging material, while
70% are aware of glass’ advantage over other packaging materials

2. With the knowledge that glass is 100% recyclable, the preference for glass packaged
cosmetics rose to 85%, including 30’% that were willing to pay a higher price for glass
packaging.

3. Aesthetics collected the most votes for reasons of using gloss in buildings. This shows that
people are not aware of the more important reasons for using glass, like solar control,
architectural advantages, etc

4. 50% of the people surveyed do not know or are not sure about where to buy glass.

5. The three features, aesthetics, well lit and energy efficiency, all scored high points on the
consumer’s importance (need) for them. All these features can and are being provided by
using glass more extensively in buildings.

6. The problem can be seen that although glass provides us with a lot of features and benefits,
people are not aware of these benefits.

7. It can be derived that the future of glass is in its environmental friendliness. It has to be
communicated to all consumers about the environmental benefits of glass and its
sustainability. This will help to drive the demand for glass all the way from the consumers.

46
Findings

1. Only 8% of the people rate themselves one on their level of environmental

friendliness.
2. 75% people rate glass more than three on its level of environmental friendliness
3. 50% people prefer glass as packaging material
4. 66% people prefer glass as a cosmetic package the number rose to 84% when the
respondents were told that glass is 100% recyclable, including 20% who were ready
to pay a higher price to procure the glass packaged cosmetic
5. More than 90% of the people were willing to pay more to make their home well lit,
high on aesthetics and energy efficient
6. Arranged in the order of ranking in terms of highest votes gained on people’s
awareness of glass characteristics in a building, the features are Aesthetics,
Architectural advantage, Environmental efficiency, Price.
7. 45% of the respondents would not know where to buy glass if the need arose.

47
Conclusion

In conclusion, it can be said that glass has not received its fair share in the Indian market and in the
minds of its consumers. Glass has so many advantages over its competitors but it seems that the
consumers are not aware of them. This is one of the major reasons for the low per capita
consumption of glass in India as compared to its competitors.

Glass has a huge potential for growth in India. The growth will far surpass the production capacity.
But the potential has to be tapped by informing the consumers about why glass is good for them and
for the Earth. A huge potential exists in the area of solar application.

Suggestions

The use of glass can be increased (and needs to be increased in light of its environmental
sustainability) by imparting relevant information to the consumers. The different types of glass
available, theirs individual characteristics and benefits provided have to be made known.
Applications of glass in the solar sector, for energy saving, solar panels etc, have to be widely
incorporated in their marketing plan. The industry has to move on from personal selling to
advertising to consumers of its products.

48
Annexure

49
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