With the help of China’s robust
economic growth, vigorous investment and increased demand in related
sectors, China’s glass industry has seen high speed development.
The
demand for flat glass industry has been very strongly encouraged by the
following factors: China’s fixed asset investment rate has been
increasing by more than 20 per cent annually on average in recent
years. Industrialisation and urbanisation are growing side by side. The
real estate and construction industries are continuing to flourish,
with approximately 2 billion square metres of construction floor space
being complete every year.
The automobile industry is growing at a rate of over 20 per cent. In 2004, the glass industry produced a total of 15.03 million tons of flat glass, registering an increase of 20 per cent over 2003, which was 12.6 million tons. Float glass production was 12.73 million tons, representing 84.7 per cent of the total flat glass output. Float glass lines increased from 98 in 2003 to 123 in 2004, with 25 new lines coming on stream.
During the fourth peak period of China’s flat glass industry, which starts in 2004 and ends in 2006, there are 60 new float glass lines planned to be built, with an average of 20 lines per year. There was a remarkable increase not only in the quantity, but also in the quality, and product variety was also enriched.
High quality float lines increased from eight to 25, with output volume climbing from 10 to 23 per cent of total production. The largest production scale amounts to 900 tons per day. Float glass thickness covers extra-thin (0.55-1.1 mm) through to extra-thick (19-25 mm). On-line coatings of solar-control, low-E, self-cleaning and extra-clear float glass are now being produced in China.
CHINA’S WORLD POSITION IN FLAT GLASS
China ranks first in the world for glass in both production and consumption. China’s flat glass production accounts for 40 per cent of the world today, which is about 38 million tons per year, and moreover, the processed glass industry is improving quickly. According to incomplete statistics from 2004, the production scale of insulated glass reached 130 million square metres, and production amounted to 45 million square metres. The safety glass (tempered and laminated glass) sector was equipped for a production capacity of 110 million square metres, and produced 67.82 million square metres.
Over the past 10 years China’s processed glass and glass machinery industries have experienced a fast growth period, with China started to make its own cutting, grinding, washing, tempering, laminating and coating machinery. In 2004, the total sales volume for the glass machinery industry was about RMB 3 billion Yuan (300 million euros). More than 80 per cent of processed glass is produced with machinery made in China.
The glass machinery sector has become a new boom industry, and although the China glass industry has made great steps, there is still a large gap between China and advanced countries abroad. China’s flat glass industry consumes more natural resources, energy costs are higher, technology and equipment levels are relatively low, product mix is not feasible, and the processed glass ratio is low. There are lots of manufacturers, but the production scale is small, industry concentration is low, and research and development capacity is weak.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
From now on, the Chinese flat glass industry will develop by shifting from extensive economy to intensive economy. High quality float glass and functional products will be given high priority to develop, and a quicker pace to increase the ratio of glass processed. New lines will not be encouraged, particularly for poor quality float glass lines without any new features.
Manufacturers will strengthen themselves by upgrading and mergers, improving research and development capacity, and upgrading float glass technology and equipment. It is planned that the high quality float glass rate shall account for 30 per cent of float production, and the glass processed rate shall be over 40 per cent, with energy costs being 15-20 per cent lower.
In the process of manufacturing, measures should be taken to improve management levels, reduce the consumption of resources, lower energy costs, pay attention to environment protection, and improve the utilisation ratio of resources. It is planned to upgrade glass industry levels by developing new products and boosting energy-efficient glass, such as insulating glass, low-E glass and solar energy glass.
CONTAINER AND DOMESTIC GLASS INDUSTRY
According to the Chinese Statistics Bureau’s Monthly Express, there are 808 companies, including all the state-owned and some which are not state-owned, which are classified as Above Designated Size – with a sales volume of more than RMB 5 million Yuan. Total production in 2004 was 7.8522 million tons, which was an 18.55 per cent increase over 2003. Product re-structuring has achieved certain success, with product categories enriched, and the glass container sector can meet the needs of the drinks and medical industries. Lighter weight containers have also made great progress. The glassware and decorative glass sector has also developed many new products, which have been exported to more than 100 countries and regions.
In recent years, some manufacturing plants have moved to locations with cheaper raw materials, lower energy costs, lower labour costs and a favourable supply chain. The industry concentration has also improved. Production scale has grown, and the number of companies with designated production scales has quickly grown. Equipped with imported machinery, technology and management, some manufacturers have upgraded production efficiency and quality.
TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVEMENTS
Sales of CNC machinery made in China are doing well. Furnace energy efficiency saw continuous improvement, with melting factors reaching 2.5 tons per square metre per day, end-fired furnace melting zone area amounted to 108 square metres, and other measures, such as deep seasoning tanks, heat regeneration, electric boosting, etc. Automatic shaping machines ensure glass product quality and production efficiency. China can make IS machines with 8 section double gobs, which operate with electronic timing control, servo-electric feeding, servo-electric distributor and stacker. Blowing and pressing machines for glassware have also upgraded their CNC systems. Although some companies have advanced their technical standards, less than 10 per cent are equipped with international machinery, and about 40 per cent are of ordinary or poor standard.
Only about a third of companies are equipped with automatic control systems for manufacturing plants, and fewer companies use information technology for design, production control and management. Therefore, pushing forward technological improvements will be a long process for the industry. It has been forecast that the output of the domestic glass products will be steadily increasing at a low rate on the whole, and the share in the market of glassware and glass arts & crafts will be higher. There are five changes predicted for the glassware market: ordinary to exquisite, thick and heavy-weighted to thin and light-weighted, single to series, warm-coloured to cold-coloured, functional to decorative.
FUTURE GROWTH
For container glass, it is forecast that packaging material for beverages will mainly be of glass, especially for high quality packaging. Glass container plants will improve technology levels to produce thin and light-weighted bottles. Beer bottles should be made in more specifications, meeting the demands of customers at various levels.
Based on analysis of current market demands at home and abroad, tubular vials for antibiotic use will increase gradually, although injection vials will still remain in the greatest demand. This trend will lead to the upgrade of glass materials, increased strength, stability in specification, improved appearance and package quality, the development of tubes with a low expansion coefficient and silk-screen printing.
For technical glass, it is forecast that the demand for glass tubes for solar energy collection will grow continuously for years to come. Technology reconstruction will focus on raw materials standardisation and refining, furnace energy efficiency, the modernisation of production technology and machinery, product diversification and management information.
With regard to fuel, the urgent priority is to save and replace oil. Some companies will replace their dependence on oil with generator gas or natural gas. Electric boosting will be used in areas where electricity rates are cheap and electrical supply is abundant. The container glass and domestic glass industry will continue to develop and will remain stable. Manufacturers will move forward towards high efficiency, high quality, more product mix and low costs, becoming more economically viable by means of reorganisation and merger.
CONCLUSION
The Chinese economy is joining the globalisation of the world economy at a fast pace; the Chinese glass industry is closely tied to the global market and needs better communication and co-operation with the rest of the world.
Organised by the Chinese Ceramic Society, the 18th China International Glass Industry Technology Exhibition will be held from 16th to 19th May 2007 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, and expects to receive thousands of visitors from home and abroad to exchange technology, negotiation trade talks and seek technical or economic co-operation. It will also create good opportunities for overseas companies to enter, develop and improve their share of the Chinese market.
The automobile industry is growing at a rate of over 20 per cent. In 2004, the glass industry produced a total of 15.03 million tons of flat glass, registering an increase of 20 per cent over 2003, which was 12.6 million tons. Float glass production was 12.73 million tons, representing 84.7 per cent of the total flat glass output. Float glass lines increased from 98 in 2003 to 123 in 2004, with 25 new lines coming on stream.
During the fourth peak period of China’s flat glass industry, which starts in 2004 and ends in 2006, there are 60 new float glass lines planned to be built, with an average of 20 lines per year. There was a remarkable increase not only in the quantity, but also in the quality, and product variety was also enriched.
High quality float lines increased from eight to 25, with output volume climbing from 10 to 23 per cent of total production. The largest production scale amounts to 900 tons per day. Float glass thickness covers extra-thin (0.55-1.1 mm) through to extra-thick (19-25 mm). On-line coatings of solar-control, low-E, self-cleaning and extra-clear float glass are now being produced in China.
CHINA’S WORLD POSITION IN FLAT GLASS
China ranks first in the world for glass in both production and consumption. China’s flat glass production accounts for 40 per cent of the world today, which is about 38 million tons per year, and moreover, the processed glass industry is improving quickly. According to incomplete statistics from 2004, the production scale of insulated glass reached 130 million square metres, and production amounted to 45 million square metres. The safety glass (tempered and laminated glass) sector was equipped for a production capacity of 110 million square metres, and produced 67.82 million square metres.
Over the past 10 years China’s processed glass and glass machinery industries have experienced a fast growth period, with China started to make its own cutting, grinding, washing, tempering, laminating and coating machinery. In 2004, the total sales volume for the glass machinery industry was about RMB 3 billion Yuan (300 million euros). More than 80 per cent of processed glass is produced with machinery made in China.
The glass machinery sector has become a new boom industry, and although the China glass industry has made great steps, there is still a large gap between China and advanced countries abroad. China’s flat glass industry consumes more natural resources, energy costs are higher, technology and equipment levels are relatively low, product mix is not feasible, and the processed glass ratio is low. There are lots of manufacturers, but the production scale is small, industry concentration is low, and research and development capacity is weak.
FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS
From now on, the Chinese flat glass industry will develop by shifting from extensive economy to intensive economy. High quality float glass and functional products will be given high priority to develop, and a quicker pace to increase the ratio of glass processed. New lines will not be encouraged, particularly for poor quality float glass lines without any new features.
Manufacturers will strengthen themselves by upgrading and mergers, improving research and development capacity, and upgrading float glass technology and equipment. It is planned that the high quality float glass rate shall account for 30 per cent of float production, and the glass processed rate shall be over 40 per cent, with energy costs being 15-20 per cent lower.
In the process of manufacturing, measures should be taken to improve management levels, reduce the consumption of resources, lower energy costs, pay attention to environment protection, and improve the utilisation ratio of resources. It is planned to upgrade glass industry levels by developing new products and boosting energy-efficient glass, such as insulating glass, low-E glass and solar energy glass.
CONTAINER AND DOMESTIC GLASS INDUSTRY
According to the Chinese Statistics Bureau’s Monthly Express, there are 808 companies, including all the state-owned and some which are not state-owned, which are classified as Above Designated Size – with a sales volume of more than RMB 5 million Yuan. Total production in 2004 was 7.8522 million tons, which was an 18.55 per cent increase over 2003. Product re-structuring has achieved certain success, with product categories enriched, and the glass container sector can meet the needs of the drinks and medical industries. Lighter weight containers have also made great progress. The glassware and decorative glass sector has also developed many new products, which have been exported to more than 100 countries and regions.
In recent years, some manufacturing plants have moved to locations with cheaper raw materials, lower energy costs, lower labour costs and a favourable supply chain. The industry concentration has also improved. Production scale has grown, and the number of companies with designated production scales has quickly grown. Equipped with imported machinery, technology and management, some manufacturers have upgraded production efficiency and quality.
TECHNOLOGY AND IMPROVEMENTS
Sales of CNC machinery made in China are doing well. Furnace energy efficiency saw continuous improvement, with melting factors reaching 2.5 tons per square metre per day, end-fired furnace melting zone area amounted to 108 square metres, and other measures, such as deep seasoning tanks, heat regeneration, electric boosting, etc. Automatic shaping machines ensure glass product quality and production efficiency. China can make IS machines with 8 section double gobs, which operate with electronic timing control, servo-electric feeding, servo-electric distributor and stacker. Blowing and pressing machines for glassware have also upgraded their CNC systems. Although some companies have advanced their technical standards, less than 10 per cent are equipped with international machinery, and about 40 per cent are of ordinary or poor standard.
Only about a third of companies are equipped with automatic control systems for manufacturing plants, and fewer companies use information technology for design, production control and management. Therefore, pushing forward technological improvements will be a long process for the industry. It has been forecast that the output of the domestic glass products will be steadily increasing at a low rate on the whole, and the share in the market of glassware and glass arts & crafts will be higher. There are five changes predicted for the glassware market: ordinary to exquisite, thick and heavy-weighted to thin and light-weighted, single to series, warm-coloured to cold-coloured, functional to decorative.
FUTURE GROWTH
For container glass, it is forecast that packaging material for beverages will mainly be of glass, especially for high quality packaging. Glass container plants will improve technology levels to produce thin and light-weighted bottles. Beer bottles should be made in more specifications, meeting the demands of customers at various levels.
Based on analysis of current market demands at home and abroad, tubular vials for antibiotic use will increase gradually, although injection vials will still remain in the greatest demand. This trend will lead to the upgrade of glass materials, increased strength, stability in specification, improved appearance and package quality, the development of tubes with a low expansion coefficient and silk-screen printing.
For technical glass, it is forecast that the demand for glass tubes for solar energy collection will grow continuously for years to come. Technology reconstruction will focus on raw materials standardisation and refining, furnace energy efficiency, the modernisation of production technology and machinery, product diversification and management information.
With regard to fuel, the urgent priority is to save and replace oil. Some companies will replace their dependence on oil with generator gas or natural gas. Electric boosting will be used in areas where electricity rates are cheap and electrical supply is abundant. The container glass and domestic glass industry will continue to develop and will remain stable. Manufacturers will move forward towards high efficiency, high quality, more product mix and low costs, becoming more economically viable by means of reorganisation and merger.
CONCLUSION
The Chinese economy is joining the globalisation of the world economy at a fast pace; the Chinese glass industry is closely tied to the global market and needs better communication and co-operation with the rest of the world.
Organised by the Chinese Ceramic Society, the 18th China International Glass Industry Technology Exhibition will be held from 16th to 19th May 2007 at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre, and expects to receive thousands of visitors from home and abroad to exchange technology, negotiation trade talks and seek technical or economic co-operation. It will also create good opportunities for overseas companies to enter, develop and improve their share of the Chinese market.
Author: Professor MO WENYI of the Chinese Ceramic Society
برچسبها: مروري بر وضعيت صنعت شيشه در كشور چين, شيشه با ضخامت هاي كمتراز1mm, ضخامت هاي بالاي 25mm
تاريخ : شنبه هفتم مرداد ۱۳۹۱ | 9:48 | نویسنده : علیرضا حسینی |
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