Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 6.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £1.6bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Signs of life in construction boost demand for insulated glass units
- Flat glass shapers and processors are benefitting from a resurgence in UK construction activity, particularly in private housing. According to Glenigan’s Construction Index, which covers projects under £100 million, construction starts swelled by 7% in the three months to April 2025, driven by a sharp rebound in private housing activity. This surge is powering demand for the industry’s core products, including insulated glass units (IGUs) and architectural glazing, boosting revenue after years of volatile demand. Some processors have raised prices to capitalise on stronger demand, with Clayton Glass announcing a 7.5% price increase on its flat glass products in March 2025.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Wider pressures push more green practices in the industry
- The industry’s performance will continue to be defined by the sustainability push. Major processors have set lofty ambitions to reduce their environmental footprint going forward, including a shift towards energy-efficient processes across processing and shaping. Pilkington plans to construct a green hydrogen plant at its Greengate Works in St Helens, set to be operational by 2027. This investment aims to cut CO2 emissions by 15,000 tonnes annually and expand low-carbon architectural glass production. Although the investment may weigh on short-term profit, the increased production capacity will allow Pilkington to expand its sales of low-carbon architectural glass, a growing segment that's expected to boost revenue over time.
Biggest companies in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2026 | Revenue (£m)
2026 |
|---|---|---|
Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd | 150.8 | |
Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd | 123.4 | |
Clayton Glass Ltd | 69.2 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Insulated glass units, Toughened safety glass and Laminated safety glass. Insulated glass units is the largest segment of the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing in the UK.
Trends and Insights
A rebound in construction boosts demand for insulated glass units
- Insulated glass units (IGUs) consist of two or more panes enclosing a space typically filled with an inert gas, like argon, to enhance heat retention properties.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry specialise in processing flat glass. This involves shaping, etching, bending and bonding. The industry produces high-value products used predominantly for architectural and automotive glazing or in decorative furnishing.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom include Toughened safety glass, Insulated glass units, Laminated safety glass, Glass mirrors, Decorative glass and Optical glass.Companies
Companies covered in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom include Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd, Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd and Clayton Glass Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom include toughened glass, laminated glass, float glass production, fenestration, balustrade and original equipment manufacturer (oem).Industry Code
SIC 23.12 - Flat Glass Shaping & Processing in the UK
Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Rebounding construction demand drives revenue growth. Higher demand for private housing is fuelling interest in insulated glass units, even as commercial and civil engineerin...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Demand for insulated glass units edges up. Households and businesses have installed insulated glass units to improve energy efficiency in line with tightening environmental r...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
- International trade, including imports by country and exports by country
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
- Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
High disposable incomes attract glass processors to the South East and London. High incomes boost demand for housing and commercial developments, supporting the presence of f...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
The industry is highly competitive. While pricing remains a key basis of competition, glass processors also compete on the basis of product differentiation and distribution c...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
UK glass processors are owned by major multinational companies. The UK's largest glass processors are at the mercy of decisions made by their parent companies, with Saint-Gob...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of Clayton Glass Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Clayton Glass Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
Dependence on construction and automotive markets exposes demand to economic shocks. Glass products are essential in the construction of buildings and the manufacture of cars...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Strong pricing power allows businesses to protect profit. Large processors have been able to pass on price hikes to consumers through higher prices, protecting profit despite...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2019-2023)
- Coverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Leverage Ratios (2019-2023)
- Operating Ratios (2019-2023)
- Assets (2019-2023)
- Liabilities (2019-2023)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
The market size of the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom is £1.6bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?
There are 383 businesses in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom, which has declined at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be significantly impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a moderate share of industry revenue.
Has the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 6.5 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom are Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd, Pilkington United Kingdom Ltd and Clayton Glass Ltd
What does the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom include?
Toughened safety glass and Insulated glass units are part of the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom is Saint-Gobain Glass (United Kingdom) Ltd.
How competitive is the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is high and increasing in the Flat Glass Shaping & Processing industry in the United Kingdom.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.
Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources in the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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