Smart/switchable glass is also called intelligent glass, privacy glass or light control glass (LCG), electric glass, and dynamic glass. It may be produced through lamination with smart film or switchable film. In addition, this glass generates weather-friendly building shells and controls the flow of visible light, ultraviolet (UV)-radiation, and infrared (IR). The smart/switchable glasses are used in office partitions, indoor, hotel guest rooms, hospitals, automotive industry, windows, and skylights in residential as well as commercial buildings. Moreover, growing construction activities around the world is a key factor driving the growth of the smart/switchable glass market during the forecast period.

Market Dynamics

   Drivers

• Growing use of smart glass in automotive applications
• Rising spending on renovation and remodeling activities
• Increasing industrial setups in automotive, construction, and interior design sectors

Restraint

• High cost of smart/switchable glass

Opportunities  

• Digitalization and technological advancements
• Huge investments in infrastructural projects

Rising demand for smart/switchable glass in automotive industry

The rapidly increasing automotive industry is one of the primary factors driving the growth of smart/switchable glass market. Automotive industry has witnessed increased sale of light and heavy vehicles in recent years. In addition, manufactures of premium brands in automotive industry such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW are focusing on integrating modern concepts into their vehicles to create unique selling point or unique selling proposition (USP) for their offerings. Moreover, due to increasing investment potential of consumers in the last decade, users have insisted on including luxury features in the vehicle selection process, which has increased the demand for smart/switchable glass. Smart or switchable glass is used in glass panels like sunroofs, panoramic view windows, rear-view mirrors, windows, windshields, and sun visors. Also, these glass panels not only control the transmission of light through the vehicle chamber but also helps in maintaining privacy and temperature inside the car. Because of these properties, the smart/switchable glass increases vehicle's energy efficiency and enhances comfort for the passengers. This is further expected to drive the growth in the smart/switchable glass market across the globe. Furthermore, increase in tourism activity at global level has added to the rising demand for vehicles with sunroofs and panoramic window panels which allow passengers to enjoy the scenic beauty in the comfort of the car. Thus, the growing demand for switchable glass for production of automotive glass panels is expected to propel the growth of smart/switchable glass market during the forecast period.

Report Coverage: 

Market Segmentation

Market By Technology

• Suspended Particle Devices (SPD) Glass 
• Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) Glass
• Electrochromic (EC) Glass
• Thermochromic
• Photochromic
• Others

The suspended particle devices (SPD) glass segment is expected to register the highest CAGR over the forecast period owing to the rising demand from the automotive and construction industries. Additionally, these glasses may be operated remotely by switches, motion detectors, dimmers, and light or temperature sensors and are easy to integrate into several building systems.

Market By End-User Industry

• Architecture & Construction
• Automotive & Transportation
• Aerospace& Defense
• Electronics
• Others

Based on the end-user industry, the automotive & transportation segment dominated the market for smart/switchable in 2020 and expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period due to the rising users spending ability along with enhanced living standards in emerging regions, particularly in North America and Europe. In addition, the smart/switchable glass’ wide used in automotive application for developing glass panels like window visors, windshields are augmenting the growth of smart/switchable glass in this segment.

Regional Overview

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• U.K.
• Germany
• France
• Spain

Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• China
• Japan
• India
• Australia
• South Korea
• Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

• Brazil
• Mexico
• Rest of Latin America

Middle East & Africa

• GCC
• South Africa
• Rest of Middle East & Africa

North America region is expected to dominate the smart/switchable glass market throughout the forecasted years

Among all the regions, North America is expected to dominate with highest market share and is anticipated to grow over the forecast period owing to the rising per capita income, and high presence of market players in the region. In addition, increasing consumer spending capacity and improving standards of living, further drive the growth of smart/switchable glass market in the region. Moreover, increase in adoption of electric car coupled with technological advancements in North America regionis also projected to drive the demand for smart/switchable glass in the automotive industry. Furthermore, rising use of smart/switchable glass product in aerospace sector and solar power generation along with government initiatives to boost the use of electric vehicles has increased the demand for smart/switchable glass in the region.

Asia Pacific is predicted to expand at highest CAGR in forthcoming years due to the fast economic growth of countries like China, Japan, and India. Additionally, the subsequent growth in solar energy infrastructure, construction and housing, transportation, and electronics, which are increasing the demand for smart/switchable glass market in the region.

Competitive Landscape

The key players in the smart/switchable glass market includeBSG Glass, Schott AG, Polytronix, Inc., Central Glass Co., Ltd., Saint-Gobain, Essex Safety Glass, GENTEX Corporation, SPD Control Systems Corporation, Asahi India Glass Ltd., AGC Inc., View, Inc., Scienstry, Inc., and among others.