Smart glass is also called electrochromic or dynamic glass. It is characterized by its ability to regulate light and heat transmission. Manufacturers use smart glass to create skylights, facades, windows, and curtain walls.
Smart-glass-based products are expected to change the market over the coming years dramatically. Earlier, its usage was limited to architectural and construction services. However, today, it is being used in several industries such as rail, automotive, marine and aviation.
Top 10 players of the Global Smart Glass Market:
1. Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.
Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. is a glass manufacturing company headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. The company focuses on flat glass, automotive glass, display, electronics and energy and chemicals industries. Its glass segment is divided into flat glass and automotive glass.
2. Saint-Gobain
Compagnie de Saint-Gobain is a construction and building products manufacturing company. Its product portfolio includes various types of glasses, ceramic tiles and related products, plastics, cast iron pipes and related products, home improvement materials, gypsum, industrial mortar, roofing products, and exterior walls products.
The company offers photovoltaic modules and systems, mineral ceramics, performance polymers and glass fabrics. Saint-Gobain’s products also find applications in the automotive, aeronautical, health, defense, energy, security, and food and beverage industries.
3. Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited
Nippon Sheet Glass Company, Limited is engaged in the manufacturing and sales of glass and glazing products around the globe. The company operates through automotive, architectural, glass, technical, and other segments. Nippon was founded in 1918 and is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. It is one of the largest players in the glass market and has a worldwide presence.
4. Corning, Incorporated
Corning, Incorporated is a US-based company that manufactures specialty glass, filter products and ceramic substrates. The company’s product portfolio consists of glass substrates, optical fibers, optical bio-sensors, hardware, cable and equipment. It also manufactures specialty glass solutions and advanced optics for semiconductor, metrology, defense, consumer electronics, aerospace and other industries.
5. Gentex Corporation
Gentex is headquartered in Zeeland, Pennsylvania, the US. It is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of dimmable aircraft windows, electronics, automatic-dimming rearview mirrors and commercial smoke alarms & signaling devices. The company supplies its products to the aviation, automotive, and fire safety industries.
6. Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. is a Japan-based company that manufactures electronic and electrical and products. The company’s product, SPD-SMART GLASS, regulates the amount of light, glare and heat transmitted through windows and other products. The company’s SPD film can be used to automatically (or by simply turning a dial) control heat, light and glare that comes from materials like plastic or glass.
7. Merck KGaA
Merck KGaA is a Germany-based science and technology company. The Merck group operates in three reportable business sectors such as life science, performance materials and healthcare. LICRIVISION™ LIQUID CRYSTALS FOR WINDOWS is one of the products offered by the company, which allows to change the glass translucency or its transmittance.
8. Research Frontiers, Incorporated
Research Frontiers, Incorporated focuses on the development and licensing of devices and technology for controlling the flow of light. Its SPD smart light-control technology is used in automobiles, homes, buildings, aircraft, boats, and exhibition & display applications. The company operates in the US and is headquartered in Woodbury, New York.
9. SCHOTT AG
SCHOTT AG, a subsidiary of Carl Zeiss Stiftung AG, develops and manufactures specialty glasses, glass ceramics, specialty materials, components and systems. It offers products such as air cutoff filters, optical filter glass, optical glass ultra-white glass, active laser glass, laser tubes, fiber optic components, anti-reflective cover glass for displays. The Germany-based company also offers ampoules, cartridges, syringes, vials, low expansion glass-ceramics, and fiber optics for digital x-rays.
10. SAGE Electrochromics, Inc.
SAGE Electrochromics, Inc. was established in 1989 and is headquartered in Minnesota, the United States. It manufactures and sells control systems and insulating glass units to manufacturers of windows and skylights in the residential marketplace. The company also provides skylights, windows as well as curtain walls for institutional and commercial buildings.
Conclusion
Many government agencies and players have shown interest by investing in the field. The increasing research and development has innovated smart glass-based products for several automakers such as BMW, Mercedes, and Toyota. Hence, innovation and demand from various industries indicate a progressive future for the global smart glass market.