Can Energy-Efficient Windows Revive U.S. Glass Manufacturing?

Ramped-up manufacturing of 'dynamic' glass technologies could bring domestic jobs back to a long-suffering industry

Glassmaking in America has been in decline for at least a decade as manufacturers have moved production to China and other emerging economies. But can the green-buildings movement spark a revival?

Makers of a new class of energy-efficient "dynamic" windows are establishing factories in the United States. Helping to drive this growth spurt is a new generation of U.S. architects and builders, who are looking beyond solar panels, light-colored roofs and other staple sustainability solutions to meet the growing demand for green housing and commercial buildings.

Rao Mulpuri, CEO of "smart" glass company Soladigm, said the nation's glassworkers and suppliers are eager for a homegrown product that can give the industry a competitive edge over foreign manufacturers of low-cost traditional windows.

"The industry needs a product like this," he said.