Home > Energy, Mining, Oil & Gas > Glass Insulator Market
Glass Insulator Market size is anticipated to gain significant momentum from 2023 to 2032, fueled by a strong product demand in comparison to its counterparts. Glass insulators are cost-effective and also boast of high dielectric and tensile strength as compared to porcelain insulators. Several other benefits like excellent resistivity, low coefficient of thermal expansion, and seamless detection of impurities and air bubbles will further augment the demand for these insulators in the years ahead.
Glass insulator refers to an insulator for the power transmission line made of toughened or annealed glass. Insulating glass is capable of preventing significant heat transfer and consists of multiple glass pieces separated by spacers made of either structural foam or metal, including aluminum. The space between this glass can also be filled with noble gas, such as krypton and argon.
Increasing adoption of insulated glass in buildings and the growth of the luxury real estate sector in developing countries are key trends bolstering the glass insulator industry forecast. Several modern buildings and houses are equipped with insulated glass windows and doors, due to their energy efficiency, eco-friendliness, better insulation, greater security, and noise reduction capabilities.
Additionally, gradual rise in spending of the U.S. electric utilities on power transmission systems is also slated to boost glass insulator installations in the upcoming years. In fact, in May 2022, the U.S. government announced an investment of over USD 2.5 billion to strengthen capacity of America’s power grid.
In terms of application, the glass insulator market from HVAC segment is set to exhibit a strong growth rate through 2032, driven by the mounting deployment of toughened glass insulators in heating and cooling applications, owing to their ease of visual inspection, long-term mechanical and electrical reliability, and high residual mechanical strength.
Asia Pacific is likely to emerge as a lucrative revenue pocket for the glass insulator market by 2032, as a result of the growing initiatives to expand cross-border power transmission networks, where glass insulators play a key role. In 2021, India commenced cross-border electricity trade on the IEX (Indian Energy Exchange), in line with its efforts to build an integrated regional power market in South Asia. The rapid development of ultra-high voltage power lines across China will also contribute to the rising popularity of glass insulators for electricity applications in the region.
Top companies operating in the glass insulator market include Meister International, INAEL Electrical, MacLean Power Systems, Siemens, Victor, Hubbell, ABB, General Electric, TE, NGK-Locke, SEVES, and Lapp Insulators (Pfisterer), among others. These firms are focusing on new product launches, acquisitions, and mergers, among other strategies to reinforce their position across the global market.
Citing an instance, in September 2022, MacLean Power Systems, a US-based electric utility manufacturer, entered into a strategic supply agreement with Global Insulator Group, a glass insulator manufacturer based out of Estonia, Europe. The agreement will help MacLean Power Systems become the only manufacturer in North America that provides two insulation mediums (glass & polymer) coupled with a multitude of transmission hardware.
The Russia-Ukraine war had a negative impact on global glass insulator market owing to a halt in supply chain. In fact, both countries are major producers of quartz, a raw material used for manufacturing glass insulators. The geopolitical tension affected the international trade of quartz, hampering business growth. It also resulted in disruptions in power sector and changed the landscape of energy sector. However, rising support by world governments in wake of ending the war is likely to revive the industry growth.