Advanced Glasses & Glass Ceramics: Materials, Processing, New Developments

Report Highlights

• The value of worldwide sales of advanced glass and ceramics reached $11.1 billion in 2005, up 12% from 2004 as strong sales for LCD, plasma and other flat panel TVs (and computer monitors and laptops) drove the demand for flat panel displays.
• A recovery in the telecommunications market bolstered demand for optical fibers (and advanced glass), and on-going dynamic growth in medical and dental applications also aided the market.
• These trends are expected to continue and sales of these advanced materials are projected to grow in value by 7.3% per year to total $17.6 billion by 2010.

INTRODUCTION

Advanced glasses and ceramics are used in a wide variety of high technology and specialty applications. Compared to traditional glasses, these specialty glasses contain specific additions or may comprise of entirely different compositions, often based on novel processes. Performance properties of these advanced glasses include fused silica, silicates, borosilicates, phosphates, germanates, chalcogenides, ionic glasses (such as halides, nitrates, sulfates and carbonates), and glass ceramics. The use of advanced glasses varies widely but most are used as substrates for electronic displays, optical fibers, thick-film packaging and substrates, optical disc substrates, aerospace and highperformance composites, medical and dental implants, dental materials, and radiation shielding.

Since BCC last studied the market for advanced glasses and glass ceramics, developments in North America have undergone significant change, and these are still proceeding. Many of the high-tech end-use markets collapsed in the early years of the decade and, with increased globalization, customer industries are moving offshore, in particular to China. Finally, innovation continues at a very robust pace. All of this makes a renewed look at advanced glasses imperative.

This comprehensive report covers the present status and future prospects for advanced glass and ceramic materials in North America. It discusses the many issues concerning the merits and future prospects of the business, including company strategies and technologies. The applications are broadly categorized into four segments. For each, the report provides an analysis of material and product types, properties, current and potential uses, new developments, global and North American markets, and foreign competition. The report is an important strategic tool for decision makers in the advanced glasses industry, as well as those industries that utilize the materials.

SCOPE OF STUDY

This important study:

• Provides an overview of the advanced and specialty glass materials, their production technologies, and applications

• Identifies the technological and business issues related to the commercial production of advanced and specialty glasses
• Determines the current size and future growth of the North American markets for advanced and specialty glasses
• Assesses market growth, materials, production, status of commercial development, barriers to entry, and market leaders.
• Identifies and profiles all North American producers and suppliers of advanced and specialty glasses
• Discusses foreign producers and the extent of their competition.

METHODOLOGY AND INFORMATION SOURCES

The research methodology was qualitative in nature and based on a triangulating approach that aids validity.  Initially, a comprehensive and exhaustive search of the literature on advanced glasses and glass ceramics was conducted.  These secondary sources included journals and related books, trade literature, marketing literature, other product and promotional literature, annual reports, security analyst reports, information from trade associations and other publications.

A patent search and analysis also was conducted.  Secondary data were obtained from trade publications and journals, such as the American Ceramic Society Bulletin and Journal, Glass International and others.  Government statistics from the U.S. Department of Commerce (Bureau of the Census) and Statistics Canada also were used, as well as other market data and information from various Web sites.

In a second phase, a number of semistructured interviews were conducted with marketing executives, business unit managers, engineers and other personnel at the advanced glass and glass ceramic companies.  Information also was collected by contacting other persons active in the development, production and use of advanced glass materials, including government and academic sources active in research and development (R&D), engineers, technology and materials suppliers, technical experts, trade association officials, government officials and consulting companies.  These were a rich source of data.  Subsequent analysis of the documents and interview notes was iterative.

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DISCLAIMER

The information developed in this report, is intended to be as reliable as possible at the time of publication and of a professional nature. This information does not constitute managerial, legal, or accounting advice; nor should it serve as a corporate policy guide, laboratory manual, or an endorsement of any product, as much of the information is of a speculative in nature. The author assumes no responsibility for any loss or damage that might result from reliance on the reported information or from its use.