The Global Smart Glass Market size is expected to grow from USD 4.5 billion in 2022 to USD 6.8 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 8.4% during the forecast period.

The global smart glass market refers to the market for a type of glass that can change its properties based on external stimuli such as light, heat, or electric current. Smart glass is also known as switchable glass or intelligent glass.

The market for smart glass is driven by various factors such as increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions, growing adoption of smart homes, rising demand for privacy and security, and increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable building solutions.

The smart glass market can be segmented based on technology, application, and geography. Based on technology, the market can be segmented into electrochromic, thermochromic, suspended particle device (SPD), and polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) technologies. Based on application, the market can be segmented into construction, transportation, electronics, and others.

North America is expected to be the largest market for smart glass, followed by Europe and Asia-Pacific. The key players in the smart glass market include Saint-Gobain S.A., AGC Inc., Gentex Corporation, Research Frontiers Inc., and Smartglass International Limited.

Market Dynamics

Driving Factors

The driving factors behind the growth of the global smart glass market include:

Increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable building solutions: Smart glass can help reduce the carbon footprint of buildings by reducing energy consumption. This is driving the adoption of smart glass in green buildings.

Technological advancements: The development of new technologies such as electrochromic, thermochromic, and SPD is driving the growth of the smart glass market. These technologies offer improved performance and energy efficiency compared to traditional glass.

Restraining Factors

Some of the restraining factors that could affect the growth of the global smart glass market are:

Complexity of installation: Smart glass requires specialized installation techniques and expertise, which could add to the installation cost and time.

Safety concerns: Smart glass relies on electrical currents to change its properties, which could pose a safety risk if not installed and maintained properly. This could also limit its use in certain applications such as high-rise buildings or industrial environments.

Challenges Factors

The global smart glass market faces several challenges that could impact its growth, including:

Impact on aesthetics: The installation of smart glass could impact the aesthetics of buildings, especially historic buildings, where traditional glass is preferred.

Limited awareness among end-users: Many end-users are not aware of the benefits of smart glass and how it works, which could limit its adoption.

Maintenance and repair: Smart glass requires specialized maintenance and repair, which could add to the cost of ownership and limit its use in certain applications.

Opportunity Factors

The global smart glass market presents several opportunities for growth and expansion, including:

Advancements in technology: The development of new technologies such as nanotechnology and artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to drive innovation in the smart glass market, leading to new applications and increased performance.

Increasing adoption of green buildings: The adoption of green buildings presents an opportunity for the smart glass market, with smart glass contributing to energy efficiency and sustainability.

Growing demand for privacy and security solutions: Smart glass can be used to create privacy zones in various applications, including healthcare, hospitality, and commercial settings. The increasing demand for privacy and security presents an opportunity for the smart glass market.

Emergence of new markets: The smart glass market is still relatively new, and there is potential for the emergence of new markets and applications, including smart mirrors and augmented reality (AR) applications.

Segmentation Analysis

Technology Outlook

The smart glass market can be segmented based on the technology used. The main technologies used in the production of smart glass are:

Electrochromic technology is used to make smart glass that changes its transparency level in response to an electrical charge. This technology is commonly used in automotive and architectural applications.

Thermochromic technology is used to make smart glass that changes its transparency level in response to changes in temperature. This technology is commonly used in automotive and architectural applications.

SPD technology is used to make smart glass that changes its transparency level in response to an electrical charge. This technology is commonly used in automotive and architectural applications.

PDLC technology is used to make smart glass that changes its transparency level in response to an electrical charge. This technology is commonly used in architectural and automotive applications.

Photochromic technology is used to make smart glass that changes its transparency level in response to changes in light conditions. This technology is commonly used in eyewear and automotive applications.

Application Outlook

Smart glass is used in the construction of commercial and residential buildings to enhance energy efficiency and control the amount of light entering the building.

Smart glass is used in the automotive industry to enhance driver and passenger comfort and privacy, reduce glare, and improve energy efficiency.

Smart glass is used in the aerospace industry for cabin windows, sunroofs, and control panels, improving visibility and energy efficiency. Smart glass is used in the production of smartphones, tablets, and other electronic devices, creating high-quality displays and enabling touch and gesture control.

Smart glass is used in the healthcare industry for privacy partitions and privacy windows in patient rooms, improving patient privacy and reducing noise levels.

Smart glass is used in the energy industry for solar panels and smart windows, improving energy efficiency and reducing costs.

Smart glass is also used in other industries such as hospitality, retail, and transportation, providing privacy, energy efficiency, and enhanced visual displays.

Regional Analysis

North America is a significant market for smart glass due to the presence of key players and high adoption rates in the construction and automotive industries. The United States is the largest market in this region.

Europe is another significant market for smart glass, driven by the high demand for energy-efficient buildings and the presence of several key players. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are the major markets in this region.

The Asia-Pacific region is a rapidly growing market for smart glass, driven by the increasing adoption of smart cities and green buildings in countries such as China, India, and Japan.

Latin America is an emerging market for smart glass, driven by the increasing construction activities and the growing demand for energy-efficient buildings.

The Middle East and Africa is a small but growing market for smart glass, driven by the increasing construction activities and the growing demand for energy-efficient buildings in the region.

Scope Of Report:

The Global Smart Glass Market has been segmented into:

By Technology

• Electrochromic
• Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC)
• Suspended Particle Devices (SPD)
• Thermochromics
• Photochromic

By Application

• Architectural
• Transportation
• Automotiv
• Aircraft
• Marine
• Consumer Electronics
• Power Generation

By Region

• North America
• US
• Canada
• Mexico
• Rest of North America
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • UK
  • Nordic Countries
    • Denmark
    • Finland
    • Iceland
    • Sweden
    • Norway
  • Benelux Union
    • Belgium
    • The Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Rest of Southeast Asia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Rest of Latin America

Market Players 

The global smart glass market is highly competitive and fragmented, with numerous players vying for market share. Some of the key companies in the market are:

• AGC Inc.
• ChromoGenics
• Corning Incorporated
• Gauzy Ltd.
• Gentex Corporation
• Guardian Industries
• Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
• Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
• PPG Industries, Inc.
• RavenWindow
• Research Frontiers Inc.
• Saint-Gobain S.A.
• Showa Denko Materials Co., Ltd.
• Smartglass International Limited
• VELUX Group
• View, Inc.
• Vision Systems

Saint-Gobain S.A. is a French multinational corporation that produces and distributes construction materials, including smart glass. The company offers a range of smart glass products under its SGG Smartglass brand.

Polytronix, Inc. is a US-based company that specializes in the production of smart glass for architectural and automotive applications. The company offers a range of smart glass products under its Polyvision brand.

View, Inc. is a US-based company that produces smart glass for the construction industry. The company offers a range of smart glass products under its Dynamic Glass brand.

Smartglass International Ltd. is an Irish company that produces and distributes smart glass products for the construction, transportation, and hospitality industries. The company offers a range of smart glass products under its Smartglass and Solar Smartglass brands.

Other notable players in the market include RavenWindow, Hitachi Chemical Co. Ltd., Schott AG, and AGP Glass. These companies are focusing on product innovation, strategic partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions to strengthen their market position and gain a competitive advantage.

Strategic Developments

In August 2021, Gentex Corporation acquired Fulvue Mirror Corporation, a manufacturer of automotive mirrors and related products, to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its position in the automotive industry.

In March 2021, Smartglass International Ltd. was acquired by Gauzy Ltd., an Israeli company specializing in the development and production of smart glass films. The acquisition is expected to expand Gauzy's market presence and accelerate its growth in the smart glass market.

In October 2020, Research Frontiers Incorporated announced a strategic investment and collaboration with Gauzy Ltd. to develop and commercialize SPD-SmartGlass products for the automotive and architectural markets.

In July 2020, Saint-Gobain S.A. acquired the Italian company Logli Massimo S.r.l., a producer of glass for the construction industry. The acquisition is expected to strengthen Saint-Gobain's position in the Italian construction market and expand its product portfolio.

In May 2020, View, Inc. raised $100 million in funding from SoftBank Vision Fund 2, a leading global technology investor. The funding is expected to support View's growth and innovation in the smart glass market.

In January 2020, AGC Inc. announced the acquisition of Malgrat Pharma Chemicals S.L.U., a Spanish manufacturer of pharmaceutical intermediates. The acquisition is expected to strengthen AGC's position in the pharmaceutical market and expand its product portfolio.