Glass

Manufacturing in a
Post-Pandemic
World CADION, J. | GABRIEL, A.
LASALA, C. | MAZO, C. | SAJOL, K.

ME413-18 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

 Glass market: pre, mid,
ME413-18

and post-pandemic
ANALYSIS AND FORECAST OF GLOBAL GLASS MARKET

B USD
150

100

50

0
2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025

4.1%
The compound annual growth rate (CAGR)
from 2020 to 2027 is expected to be 4.1%.
The growing demand for glass in various end
user industries ranging from automotive, to
decorative pieces, to engineering, then to
applications in modern science will propel
the industry growth throughout the
assessment period. These advancements
and iterations have clearly expanded the
potential for the glass manufacturing
market.
$6.8B
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, global
manufacturing including electronic
products, closure of major global
manufacturing centers, and strict travel
restrictions imposed by most countries are
the main reasons for the obvious decline in
the manufacturing output of 2020, as well as
its market share. This resulted in a $6.8B
drop in the global market from 2019 to 2020.
Despite the effects of COVID-19, the global
glass market is still expected to be worth
$180.2B by 2028.

[1]
 ME413-18

Health & safety

IN THE WAKE OF A PANDEMIC
Even in a post-pandemic world, the practices
that we were taught to do during the COVID-19
pandemic will still likely be done and applied,
especially in manufacturing sectors and plants. It
is the employer's responsibility to provide a work
environment that’s as safe as possible — both
from injury and from illness.

1. Provide protective products

This includes: disposable masks and gloves,
disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer with 60%
alcohol or greater, tissues and paper towels

2. More frequent cleaning

Frequent sanitation is done on floors,
surfaces, shared areas, and equipments.

3. Implement paid sick leave

More often than not, sick people still go to
work despite their symptoms. Implementing
paid sick leaves can lessen this, and thus
creates a safer space for work.

With some precautions in check, manufacturers and employees should

be able to get back up to speed while keeping health as their top
priority. Even after a pandemic, a sense of wariness and security still
must be instilled int he workplace. Workers look to this community for
their livelihoods and sense of stability, and they deserve to carry out
their essential work in safety and confidence.

[2]
 ME413-18

The future of glass

manufacturing
The COVID-19 pandemic and government-mandated lockdowns had a significant impact
on the manufacturing sector. Supply chain disruptions became part of regular news
debates and discussions. Manufacturers had to pivot their operations according to the
new reality. The change in industry leaders is expected in a post-pandemic world. How do
these multifaceted changes in the manufacturing sector affect the glass industry?

1. Automation and robotics

Automation and robotics make way for a smaller workforce,
ensuring a more socially distanced work environment.
Manufacturing facilities will move to an automated production
line, and glass industries might adapt to using robots and control
systems in handling glass products.

2. Upskilled labor force

If the prediction of increased automation is accurate, future
automated factories will require a different skillset for its workers
than what they'd been hiring before. There will be more
maintenance technicians, troubleshooting assistants and etc. for
the technical services needed for the automation.

3. The data economy

Machine learning and artificial intelligence makes the
maintenance of automated systems easier. Machine learning
algorithms analyze various streams of data to predict machine
failure.

4. Localized manufacturing
COVID-19 exposed the vulnerabilities in the global supply chain,
making manufacturers aware of the dangers of concentrating
production in one part of the world. Local supply and industry
can help with this, and with support it is subsequently boosted.

5. Digital supply chain

Supply chain visibility is the capability to track movement in the
entire supply chain from one location. This can track suppliers,
vendors, warehouses, distribution centers, and etc.

[3]
 ME413-18
Glass: the future
of sustainability
Glass is a sustainable that provides
great environmental benefits such as
contributing to mitigating climate
change and saving precious natural
resources.
It is a resource efficient material which
is made of abundant natural raw
material such as sand and glass waste
(cullet). Glass is a fully recyclable
material that can be recycled in close
loop over and over again.
This is particularly true for glass bottles
which on average have a recycling rate
varying from 50% to 80%. Thanks to
glass recycling, significant amounts of
raw materials are saved and natural
resources are preserved. Glass recycling
also helps in saving energy as cullets
melt at a lower temperature than raw
materials. Consequently, less energy is
required for the melting process.
[4]
80%
about 80% of glass bottles are recycled
Currently, glass is being used across
many industries such as in food
packaging, transportation,
architecture and engineering, energy
strategy, modern communications,
and in many pharmaceutical and
health applications.
Glass is an unlimited material whose
number of applications is constantly
evolving, especially as the sector
expands to more high-tech
applications. The outcome of
research in all different fields could
open up tremendous opportunities
for the development of future glass
products.
 ME413-18

[1] Glass Manufacturing Market Size & Share Report,

2028. (n.d.). Retrieved 2021, from
https://www.grandviewresearch.com/industry-
analysis/glass-manufacturing-market#

[2] Nichols, M. R. (2020, July 16). Post-covid-19 safety

precautions for manufacturing facilities. ISHN RSS.
Retrieved 2021, from
https://www.ishn.com/articles/112614-post-covid-19-
safety-precautions-for-manufacturing-facilities

[3] How manufacturing has changed post-pandemic.

Plant Engineering. (2021, June 28). Retrieved 2021,
from https://www.plantengineering.com/articles/how-
manufacturing-has-changed-post-pandemic/

[4] Glass & The Future. Glass Alliance Europe. (n.d.).

Retrieved 2021, from
https://www.glassallianceeurope.eu/en/glass-the-
future