Glass Industry of India

News: Government invoked the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 to regulate natural gas supply, which may affect India’s glass manufacturing industry dependent on continuous fuel supply.

About Glass Industry of India

• India’s glass manufacturing industry produces glass products used in construction, automotive, packaging, electronics, and pharmaceutical sectors.
• The All India Glass Manufacturers’ Federation (AIGMF) represents the interests of the glass manufacturing industry and provides sector related data and policy inputs.
• Historical evolution
  • Ancient references: The Indian epic Mahabharata contains one of the earliest references to glassmaking in India.
  • Archaeological evidence: Glass beads from the Painted Grey Ware civilisation in the Ganges Valley around 1000 BC provide early physical evidence.
  • Early production centres: Archaeological remains show glass industry activity in Brahmapuri and Kolhapur between 2 BC and 2 AD.
  • Medieval development: During the Mughal period, glassware such as hukkas, perfume containers, and decorative glass items became popular.
    • Historically, Firozabad is popularly known as the “Glass City of India”, where it started back by 17th century.
  • Modern period
    • Shri Ishwar Das Varshnei is considered the father of the Indian glass industry.
      • He established the United Provinces Glass Works in Bahjoi, Uttar Pradesh, in 1916.
      • He was a key figure in developing blown, pressed, and sheet glass, and was the first President of the Indian Ceramic Society.
    • The first glass plant was set up in august 1908 by Lokmanya Balgangadhar Tilak at Talegaon, Maharashtra.
• Current market scenario
  • The float glass segment was estimated at Rs. 24,000 crore in 2022 and is expected to reach Rs. 40,000 crore within four years.
  • Production capacity: India’s glass manufacturing sector produces around 26,000 tonnes of glass per day.
    • Container glass output: About 12,500 tonnes of container glass are produced daily.
    • Pharmaceutical glass: Around 500 tonnes of ampoules, vials, and cartridges are produced daily for medicine storage.
  • Domestic consumption: Nearly 80% of the glass produced is consumed within the country.
    • Low domestic consumption: India’s per capita float glass consumption is 2.5 kg, which is lower than developed countries.
• Potential
  • Growing construction demand: The flourishing construction and housing sector is increasing demand for float glass used in windows, mirrors, doors, and solar panels.
  • Automotive and industrial demand: Increasing use of glass in the automotive and construction industries is supporting medium-term growth.
  • Solar energy expansion: Solar glass demand is expected to rise 23–25% in FY24 due to the government’s focus on renewable energy and replacement of imported solar glass.
  • Large domestic growth scope: India’s per capita float glass consumption is about 2.5 kg, while developed countries consume 7–10 kg, indicating significant room for expansion.
• Challenges in present context
  • Fuel supply constraints: Curtailment of natural gas and LPG supply is affecting continuous furnace operations.
  • High restart cost: Restarting a furnace can take six to twelve months and cost Rs 50–200 crore, making shutdowns extremely costly.
  • Rising gas prices: Increasing gas prices due to supply shortages may make glass products commercially unviable.
  • Technology and skills gap: The sector requires advanced technologies and skilled workforce for modern production.
• Geographical distribution & clusters
  • Firozabad (Uttar Pradesh): It is known for glass chandeliers and decorative items.
  • Saharanpur (Uttar Pradesh): The city produces glass toys called “panchkora”.
  • Hyderabad: It is famous for producing high-quality glass bangles called “Churi ka jodas”.Patna (Bihar): The region produces ornamental glass beads known as “Tikuli”.