Europe Smart Glass Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2023 - 2028)

Europe Smart Glass market Analysis

The European smart glass market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 13.9% in the forecasted period (2021-2026). Smart glass is becoming one of the region's popular building materials that can be used by architects and engineers for several different purposes. ​ Applications found in the construction sector and transportation industries stand to be an excellent source of demand for smart glass in the current market scenario.​

In the commercial design sector, smart glass has become an increasingly widespread feature because of its aesthetic value. Moreover, it also offers a unique ability to increase the energy efficiency of commercial buildings.​ Further, Increasing reforms by the European government to enhance the energy efficiency of commercial buildings are encouraging commercial building owners to invest in smart energy-saving solutions, such as smart glass.​

Also, increasing applications in the field of aerospace and transportation are creating immense demand for smart glass. Some researchers estimated that smart glasses installed in automobiles are capable of providing 98% UV protection and 40% solar reduction, thus making the vehicle cabin more comfortable.​ Such installations are already seen in top automotive manufacturers, such as BMW and Mercedes. OneBMW'sMW’s most iconic electronic hybrid, BMW i8, is reportedly using chemically-treated corning glass made by Gorilla glass to reduce 25-30% of the weight added by traditional glass installations.​

Smart glass technology, when installed in buildings, also saves the cost of installing and maintaining curtains or blinds. Blackout smart glass has the ability to block around 99.4% of ultraviolet light. ​For instance, NHS Hospital in Paisley, United Kingdom, adopted smart glass into five of its critical patient areas in the ICU ward. This technology was used to a great extent, allowing healthcare professionals to provide privacy to patients whilst being able to monitor them visually, without disturbing them.​

Europe Smart Glass marketIndustry Segments

Smart glasses are special types of glasses, which can change from being clear to translucent or even pellucid to opaque. It is primarily used to block light, heat, and glare. This technology is very helpful to reduce the cost of lighting, air conditioning, curtains blinding, or heating of the room. There are two types of smart glasses: active type and passive type. The active type of smart glass responds to the electrical stimulus to make the glass, while the passive type is triggered by light or heat. Active glasses are used in sectors like architecture, healthcare, and automotive, etc. This type of smart glass uses the technologies like Suspended Particle Devices (SPDs), electrochromic devices, among others.

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Europe Smart Glass market Trends

This section covers the major market trends shaping the Europe Smart Glass market according to our research experts:

Transportation industry is expected to have further growth opportunities in the market

Increasing applications in the field of transportation are creating immense demand for smart glass. Smart glass has found a large-scale application, particularly in the automotive industry, in sunroofs, and exterior and interior automatic dimming rear-view mirrors. In fact, as most of the smart glass products are chemically toughened, they are far lighter than the traditional glass used in the automotive sector when installed in automobiles, helping automakers gain more fuel efficiency and meet regional emission standards.​

Mercedes-Benz offers its S-Class Coupe, as well as other variants of the S-Class, with an option of popular Magic Sky Control panoramic roof, using SPD-SmartGlass technology. The company has turned to multiple applications of switchable glass, focused on the customer experience and customer journey.

Also, these glasses are increasingly being used in inspections and maintenance. With smart glasses, workers will be able to view their checklists during their inspections, reducing the likelihood of missing an item because of faulty memory. When a defect is discovered, the inspectors can immediately make a voice-recorded report, photograph the problem with the glasses, and forward their report and photos to workers who correct the errors. ​

Aerospace application companies, like Boing and Airbus, are implementing smart glass technology by integrating them with IoT systems. This trend is expected to open new opportunities in the market.

Moreover, Vuzix Corporation is working with Accenture and Airbus on an initiative to reduce the time taken to assemble aircraft cabin seats. This collaboration between Airbus, Accenture, and Vuzix smart glasses is a part of a greater effort toward industrialized wearable technology in aircraft manufacturing companies.​ According to Airbus, this technology produced impressive results.  The process of making cabin seats improved by around 500%. The company also states that the technology reduced the rate of the error to zero and accelerated the level of operations.​

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