Production of diffuse glass for greenhouses has ceased in Europe

Production of diffuse glass for the greenhouse industry has ceased in Europe, as major German manufacturer GMB-Interfloat has closed its plant and AGC has also stopped supplying. The sector is under pressure from the solar market crisis, high energy prices and low price competition from Chinese and, potentially, Indian glassmakers.

The disappearance of diffuse glass production is largely due to the unstable German economy and the solar crisis. Glass production requires a lot of energy, which makes it difficult to produce in Europe at a competitive price. In addition, the market for greenhouse products is relatively small. Large glass companies are considering greenhouse glass as a side business.

In addition, competition has become much higher since the collapse of the solar market. Glass manufacturers in Europe are reconsidering their production volumes, and many Chinese manufacturers who originally focused on solar glass are now targeting the greenhouse sector. Export subsidies and lower energy prices also make products cheaper, which is important. New initiatives, for example, from the British company NSG Group, which also supplies energy-saving glass of the Pilkington Botanical series and specializes in self-cleaning glass, are unable to gain a foothold in the market partly because of this.

Source: agbz.ru