Rail Glazing Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| CAGR | > 7.00 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Rail Glazing Market Analysis
The rail glazing market is expected to reach USD 2.01 billion, registering a CAGR of around 7% over the next five years.
The COVID-19 pandemic took a big toll on the railway network across the world, with several countries exposed to travel and trade restrictions. In addition, delays in railway infrastructure projects and slow progress in the maintenance of rail services due to a shortage of funds from the government have created chaos in the market studied. However, the ease of restrictions and the government's focus on minimizing supply chain complexities by adopting a modern rail fleet has contributed to the growth of the rail glazing market.
Increasing demand for comfort features in vehicles and growing consumer preference toward luxury trains for long-distance travel over conventional transportation owing to the notable influx of tourists is expected to drive demand in the market. For instance, Americans, Britons, and Europeans are key drivers representing the largest tourism source markets. There are also new emerging markets across Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and South America. These destinations now provide some of the most iconic deluxe train journeys.
Further, some government agencies, companies, and third-party administrators are attempting to channel the rail infrastructure by upgrading the rail fleet, refurbishing old rolling stock, and encouraging rail commuters to commute by rail instead of driving. The market is expected to grow based on these factors during the forecast period. For instance, the Swiss government will extend its subsidizing scheme for rail freight operations until 2026. Previously, these subsidies were to be abolished in 2023. This is to support the shift from road to rail for transalpine traffic, an ambition that has been an integral part of national policy since 2000.
The Asia-Pacific region, followed by Europe and North America, is expected to hold significant shares of the market over the next five years. Growth in these regions is driven by rising production activities in rail glazing, supported by the governments of many major countries in these regions. In addition, strategic partnerships with rail operators and technological innovations in railway transportation are expected to present new opportunities in the coming years.
Rail Glazing Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the Rail Glazing Market according to our research experts:
Rising Penetration of Glazing Systems in Trains to Drive Demand in the Market
In general, glazing systems for passenger railcars have to meet functional requirements such as transparency, optical quality, and maintainability. In addition, they have to meet safety requirements such as emergency egress, rescue access, fire tolerance, and occupant containment. Government agencies, train operators, etc., all intend to improve their railway systems and provide more luxurious and comfortable travel experiences. Such trends encourage players to use glazed components in the coaches of trains. For instance, in October 2021, the Indian railway introduced Vistadome coaches to give its passengers a new and unique way to travel for a lifetime experience. These coaches offer passengers a panoramic view of pristine nature, giving them an immersive travel experience. The glass windows and rooftops of Vistadome coaches are manufactured with laminated glass.
Further, technological advancements for high-speed rails require highly efficient rail glazing products to offer enhanced performance and durability. For instance, the side window glass used by the Chinese high-speed rail system has minimized the permissible error in terms of thickness and flatness of the glass by homogenizing glass materials. In March 2022, the new ICE 3neo (Velaro MS) high-speed train, based on the proven ICE 3 platform, was unveiled by Siemens at its ICE plant in Berlin-Rummelsburg. The new ICE 3neo trains are fitted with frequency-permeable glass window panes featuring a fine grid laser-lasered into the metal layer on the glass, allowing mobile phone signals to enter the train more easily.
In November 2021, Alstom's TGV-M, the fifth generation of high-speed trains, requested the assistance of Eurailtest and its partner, the AEF, to measure the resistance of the TGV-M's windows to aerodynamic forces and pinpoint cracked glass and sealing defects potentially disrupting train operations.
Thus, the aforementioned trends indicate that the rail glazing market across major countries is anticipated to have optimistic growth during the forecast period.
Asia-Pacific Region Likely to Play Key role in the Market
Over the recent years, the demand for improving passenger capacity, issues related to green, safe, and economical public transportation, and replenishment of current rolling stock acts as primary driving factors for the growth of the rail glazing market across major countries in the world.
For instance, in March 2022, the Indian railways announced a National Rail Plan (NRP) for India - 2030. The plan is to create a 'future-ready' railway system by 2030. The NRP is aimed at formulating strategies based on operational capacities and commercial policy initiatives to increase the modal share of railways in freight to 45%. As part of this initiative, the government is said to assess rolling stock requirements for passenger traffic and wagon requirements for freight.
In March 2022, Egypt and South Korea signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the field of rail transport. This collaboration with the South Koreans is marked by numerous contracts signed with the multinational Hyundai Rotem, for the design of several hundred metro cars for Cairo Metro Line 2 and 3, the local construction of locomotives and electric trains, as well as the modernization of signage.
With the growing focus of governments on overhauling and modernizing railway systems, players operating in the rail glazing market are expected to find numerous opportunities. For instance, in January 2021, Indian railways introduced a smart window feature. The railways have installed this smart window in the New Delhi-Howrah Rajdhani train. This feature enables glass windows to turn glass from a transparent to an opaque state with the click of a switch. It also cuts UV radiation and acts as privacy glass.
In July 2021, China debuted its first-ever glass-bottomed sky train, which would enable commuters to take a 270-degree view of the picturesque landscape of the country. It currently runs 11.5 kilometers and features four stations that connect important tourist points in the city. The train weighs about 2.5 tons, which is 0.5 tons less than traditional trains.
The latest orders for accommodating trains by key Asia-Pacific countries encourage players to design active strategies to make their mark on the market. Based on the aforementioned developments, it is expected that the Asia-Pacific region will have notable growth and opportunities in the future.
Rail Glazing Industry Overview
The rail glazing market is consolidated owing to the active engagement of global and domestic players across all major regions, i.e., though many key companies are operating in this industry, none of them have enough market share to influence prices, production, investment, and their competition. Owing to this, prominent players continuously focus on designing growth strategies to gain a competitive edge over other players in the market.
For instance, in April 2021, Tekniker technology center and the glass manufacturer Ariño Duglass participated in the VITECA project to develop innovative coating techniques for windscreens and windows for the railway industry. This initiative aims to create two types of smart glass that can be used in the railway industry for deicing and de-misting purposes, including heatable glass applied with voltage for de-icing and de-misting, and electrochromic glass, which changes its optical transmission properties when a certain amount of voltage is applied. In August 2020, Sweden's Dellner Bubenzer Group continued its rapid expansion with the creation of a new UK company, Dellner Romag Ltd. This company will focus on the manufacture and supply of specialist glass and glazing products for the global rail, transport, security, and architectural markets.
Rail Glazing Market Leaders
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AGC Inc. (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.)
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Dellner Romag Ltd.
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Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd.
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Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.
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Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A.
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Rail Glazing Market News
- September 2022: Transport glass and fabrication specialists Dellner Romag Ltd and Dellner Percy Lane launched a new website as part of the ongoing transformation of the company's brand and increased offering. Dellner Glass Solutions incorporates Dellner Romag Ltd, a specialist laminated glass processor based in Consett, County Durham, Dellner Percy Lane, a leading metal fabrication manufacturer based in Tamworth, and architectural glazing specialist Dellner Wizard based in Luton.
- September 2022: Gauzy revealed its new smart glass technologies for the first time at InnoTrans in Hall 1.1 stand 560, and in collaboration with industry leaders around the show, demonstrating to OEMs, Tier 1 glazing suppliers, and operators that it can provide memorable and comfortable travel experiences for passengers. LG Display's state-of-the-art transparent OLED technology with Gauzy's SPD was revealed for the first time in a railway-compliant IGU laminated by industry-leading glass fabricators AGC and OSG.
- January 2022: Luxury yacht designer Thierry Gaugain unveiled the concept of G-Train, a luxury train with an all-glass exterior that can shift between opaque or transparent to enjoy the view outside. Over the past four years, some of the world's leading architects and engineers were enlisted to support Gaugain in making G-Train a viable concept, including French glass producer Saint-Gobain, Swiss train manufacturer Stadler and English engineering firm Eckersley O'Callaghan.
Rail Glazing Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Study Assumptions
1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
4.1 Market Drivers
4.2 Market Restraints
4.3 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
4.3.1 Threat of New Entrants
4.3.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers
4.3.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
4.3.4 Threat of Substitute Products
4.3.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Value USD billion)
5.1 By Type
5.1.1 Wind screens
5.1.2 Side windows
5.1.3 Others
5.2 By Sales channel
5.2.1 OEM
5.2.2 Aftermarket
5.3 By Coating Type
5.3.1 Coated
5.3.2 Non-Coated
5.3.3 Low emissivity
5.4 By Geography
5.4.1 North America
5.4.1.1 United states
5.4.1.2 Canada
5.4.1.3 Rest of North America
5.4.2 Europe
5.4.2.1 Germany
5.4.2.2 United Kingdom
5.4.2.3 France
5.4.2.4 Italy
5.4.2.5 Spain
5.4.2.6 Rest of Europe
5.4.3 Asia-Pacific
5.4.3.1 India
5.4.3.2 China
5.4.3.3 Japan
5.4.3.4 South Korea
5.4.3.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
5.4.4 Rest of the world
5.4.4.1 South America
5.4.4.2 Middle East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
6.1 Vendor Market Share
6.2 Company Profiles
6.2.1 AGC Inc. (Asahi Glass Co. Ltd)
6.2.2 Nippon Sheet Glass Co. Ltd
6.2.3 Fuyao Glass Industry Group
6.2.4 Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A.
6.2.5 Saudi Basic Industries Corporation
6.2.6 Tyneside Safety Glass
6.2.7 CGS Holdings LLC
6.2.8 Dellner Romag Ltd
6.2.9 GL Spezialverglasung GmbH
6.2.10 Independent Glass Co. Ltd
6.2.11 Russian Glass Company (RGC)
6.2.12 Lippert Components Inc.
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
Rail Glazing Industry Segmentation
Glazing refers to the glass windows on the equipment. Rail glazing refers to the glass used for rail windscreens, side-facing, and other glass products.
The rail glazing market report covers market trends, progress, challenges, opportunities, etc., over the next five years. The rail glazing market is segmented by type (windscreens, side windows, and others), sales channel (OEM and aftermarket), glazing technology (coated, non-coated, and low emissivity), geography (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World). The market size and forecast for each segment have been calculated based on value (USD billion).
| By Type | |
| Wind screens | |
| Side windows | |
| Others |
| By Sales channel | |
| OEM | |
| Aftermarket |
| By Coating Type | |
| Coated | |
| Non-Coated | |
| Low emissivity |
| By Geography | ||||||||
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Rail Glazing Market Research FAQs
What is the current Rail Glazing Market size?
The Rail Glazing Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 7% during the forecast period (2024-2029)
Who are the key players in Rail Glazing Market?
AGC Inc. (Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.), Dellner Romag Ltd., Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd., Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. and Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. are the major companies operating in the Rail Glazing Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Rail Glazing Market?
Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Rail Glazing Market?
In 2024, the Asia-Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Rail Glazing Market.
What years does this Rail Glazing Market cover?
The report covers the Rail Glazing Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Rail Glazing Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
Rail Glazing Industry Report
Statistics for the 2024 Rail Glazing market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Rail Glazing analysis includes a market forecast outlook to 2029 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
