Flat glass industry will increase 10% in next three years

Flat Glass Alliance of the Philippines Inc. expects the industry to grow by 8 to 10 percent in the next two to three years, the group said in a briefing on Tuesday.

The value turnover of the flat glass industry is $80 million, Ronilo Matas, Flat Glass Alliance executive director and corporate secretary, noted, citing industry estimates.

"We are expecting 8 to 10 percent growth from that figure in the next two to three years," he said.

A separate statement from the Conference & Exhibition Management Services Pte. Ltd. noted the "construction spend for 2011 to 2016 is estimated to reach $70 billion."

Of the $70 billion, "at least 10 percent goes to the glass industry but depends on the type of construction," Matas said.

There is "a switch" in demand for glass products from residential and non-residential components. Matas noted the demand from the non-residential component is growing by 49 percent on a quarterly basis this year.

However, a year earlier the demand was higher from residential component compared to non-residential component, Matas noted.

Newly-designed buildings and even currently operational one should convert to glass architecture, said Edgar Sabidong, Philippine Green Building Council board member.

Sabidong said among the benefits of glass architecture is the savings in energy cost.

"'Yung air condition mo, hindi mo masyado ginagamit kasi hindi mainit kahit afternoon sun," he told GMA News Online.

"Green architecture creates efficient energy use in buildings, maximizing natural daylight and offering better visibility, improved thermal and indoor comfort," he said in another statement. – VS, GMA