Fire-Rated Glass Market

Market Overview

The global fire-rated glass market was valued at USD 4.6 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 11.95 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 11.2% during the forecast period (2023–2031).

A particular type of glass known as fire-resistant glass has been shown through fire resistance tests to offer long-lasting fire protection. The degree of protection differs depending on the type of fire-resistant glass used, but any fire-resistant glass can be used as a barrier to halt the spread of flames and smoke in the event of a fire. Because they can prevent radiant and conduction heat transfer, fire-resistant glass products are used to prevent fire and smoke. Additionally, they offer better thermal, acoustic, and impact performance. Its effectiveness can be determined by evaluating how well fire-rated glass performs in a fire-resistance test. The demand for fire-resistant glass is rising as the number of fire-related accidents rises. Due to passive fire protection's lower maintenance costs than active fire protection, the market for this type of protection has recently been expanding significantly. Some fire-rated glass varieties also offer some heat insulation, or protection, against the elements. Fire-rated glass can effectively contain the spread of flames and smoke because it is made to withstand 1,000° F temperatures for 20 to 3 hours at a time. It is also quickly processed into the hollow, laminated, coated, and dot-style curtain wall glass.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Increasing Number of Accidents Due to Fire

Shortly, the growth of the fire-resistant glass market is likely to be supported by the increasing investments in automobiles and commercial and residential construction projects by governments worldwide. Additionally, the demand for fire-resistant glasses would increase as fire-related accidents increase. Additionally, strict standards and regulations have been imposed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) to improve vehicular safety and decrease the number of accidents. In addition, due to standards established by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), fire-resistant glasses have increased in residential and commercial buildings, which will contribute to this growth. Demand, however, might be hampered by rising price fluctuations for raw materials like silicon and boron oxide.

Expanding Building and Construction Sector

Construction of new buildings, as well as additions and material alterations to the buildings, are all subject to building regulations. The interior surfaces and glasses for protection against fire hazards have been adopting these safety laws in building construction at a rapid rate. Since many years ago, fire-rated glass and glazing have been crucial to building safety. It can be installed in doors, walls, windows, and even floors and is frequently used in hallways, stairwells, lobbies, courtyards, and wall partitions. It is used inside and outside to help contain the spread of fire. The booming building and construction industry and the rising demand for passive protection systems and equipment. Another major factor driving market growth is passive fire protection's critical role in overall building safety and a significant reduction in fire accidents.

Market Restraints

High Production Cost and Fluctuations in Raw Material Costs

The most expensive options are ceramic glass that has been laminated and filmed. To meet safety standards, they must be filmed or laminated after being imported from foreign producers. Glass ceramics will never have the clarity and tint-free appearance of highly tempered float glass, with or without the surface polishing applied to the more costly premium versions. Filmed glass ceramics, used in 20-minute doors, can cost up to four times as much as laminated glass and up to three times as much as specialty tempered glass like SuperLite I. Products made of tempered glass may also be more affordable for 45-minute applications. Filmed and laminated ceramics are more expensive without offering the additional advantages of radiant heat protection and tint-free clarity than fire-resistive tempered products like SuperLite II-XL 45.

Market Opportunity

R&D Projects and Product Innovation

Middle Eastern architects strive to be at the forefront of building design, but increased fire and life safety will always be a motivating factor. The fire-rated glazing industry will collaborate closely with them to realize their vision as they incorporate open and minimalist designs into new construction and retrofit existing buildings. The continued use of IBC and UL-labeled and classified products in the area enables architects and design experts to push the limits of what is feasible for exterior and interior glazing. The Affordable Housing Initiative (AHI), Made in Canada, and New Building Canada Plan (NBCP), among others, are also anticipated to support the nation's growth shortly and are likely to increase demand for fire-resistant glass in the country over the course of the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

The global fire-rated glass market is bifurcated into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America Dominates the Global Market.

North America is the most significant shareholder in the global fire-rated glass market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period. The U.S. and Canada are included in the analysis of the fire-rated glass market in North America. The regional market is driven by increased infrastructure investments, rising consumer spending power, and increased focus on improving building and commercial apartment fire safety standards by regulatory and governmental agencies. Due to the increasing use of contemporary fire-rated glazing to improve exterior and interior aesthetics, the North American market for fire-rated glass is predicted to experience noticeable growth in the upcoming years. While this makes it possible for designers to design warm, open spaces in places that need to be protected from fire, regional growth is being pushed by the rising number of relevant regulations being created. For instance, in the United States, applications of fire-rated glass are governed by the IBC (International Building Code).

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.9% during the forecast period. China, India, Japan, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific are all included in the analysis of the Asia-Pacific fire-rated glass market. Product consumption is likely to increase, especially in emerging economies, as construction activity in the region increases and fire accidents occur more frequently. For instance, according to the International Trade Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce, China became the largest market for construction in 2020, bringing in USD 440.0 million. The market growth in the area will be driven by rising costs and an increase in the adoption of these glasses for residential and commercial infrastructure construction. The expansion of production facilities in various end-user industries and rising living standards successfully drive increased investment by foreign companies, boosting the area’s market.

Segmental Analysis

The market is segmented by solution type, glass type, and application.

Based on solution type, the global fire-rated glass market is bifurcated into glazing and insulation.

The glazing segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% during the forecast period. Due to the superior impact, acoustic, and thermal performance of glazed fire-rated glass, the glazing segment is anticipated to grow significantly in the global market for fire-rated glass during the forecast period. Glazing allows for the entry of plenty of natural light while reducing obtrusive urban sound pollution, background noise, and reverb. The surface of a door stile or window sash, which is typically made of wood, aluminum, or PVC, can be covered with glazing. A rabbet (rebate) in the frame is a place for the glass to be fixed. This can be done using putty, glazing points, or triangles.

Based on glass type, the global fire-rated glass market is bifurcated into the wired glass, ceramic glass, laminated glass, and others.

The ceramic glass segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 10.91% during the forecast period. The high percentage can be attributed to a growing trend in residential and commercial construction toward insulated glass units, which offer fire ratings of 20 minutes to 3 hours and can withstand the thermal shock of water from fire hoses and water sprinklers. It is anticipated that the favorable properties of ceramic glass will accelerate segment growth during the forecast period. Because of its many potential uses in fire doors intended to provide fire protection, tempered glass is experiencing an increase in demand on a global scale. The outer layer of this glass has a special coating applied to it to reflect some heat and lessen the amount of heat that passes through the glass.

Based on application, the global fire-rated glass market is bifurcated into building & construction, marine, and others.

The building & construction segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.7% during the forecast period. In the building and construction industry, architectural glass is widely used because of its strength and toughness. The segment is also driven by regulatory bodies' increasing focus on enhancing building fire safety standards and adherence to building codes. The global market is anticipated to grow due to the increasing use of fire-rated glass in construction. For instance, the global construction market is anticipated to grow to USD 8 trillion by 2030, with China, the United States, and India driving this expansion.

Recent Developments

• June 2022, For 5G millimeter-wave wireless communication technology, Nippon Electric Glass Co., Ltd. has created a repeater that uses radio wave lenses and is a power-free and transparent antenna made of a glass substrate.

• May 2022, unique laminated glass gel infill works with expert design to create the Pyroguard Balustrades final product. It was created by classification A2-S1, D0, which means it meets all requirements for showing no discernible contribution to the spread of fire, producing little to no smoke, and No ash or debris from a fire.