Flat Glass - Us And Japanese Markets

According to the US-based National Glass Association, the flat glass market is expected to achieve modest growth during 1996, with demand to increase by 2.5% and with several sectors rising as high as 3.5%. The strong forecast is backed by confidence that improved consumer durable spending in the future will be over 4% against 1995 levels. Also, demand from the housing and automotive sectors for glass should remain robust through 1996, with uses for value-added goods playing a continous part in both sectors. However, it has been reported that sales of flat glass in Japan decreased by 5% in 1995, attributable to sluggish demand in the construction industry and decreased auto production.