Construction / Building Boom & Rising Demand for Quality Building Materials

Egypt’s boom in construction and real estate development has become a major driver for demand in float and flat glass. For example, as of 2025 the pipeline of planned construction projects in Egypt is estimated at USD 565.5 billion, making the country the third-largest construction market in the MENA region. In 2024 alone, the number of new companies registered under the construction sector rose by 20% compared with 2023 from 2,375 to 2,856 reflecting a surge in development activity across housing, commercial and infrastructure segments. Meanwhile, one of Egypt’s major glass producers  Saint-Gobain Glass Egypt  announced plans in 2024 to expand capacity at its float-glass plant in Ain Sokhna by adding a second production line, explicitly citing rising domestic demand as a rationale.

For Instance,

• In March 2024, Saint-Gobain Glass Egypt signed a framework agreement with the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZONE) to establish a new flat-glass factory in Ain Sokhna, covering 200,000 square metres and involving foreign direct investment exceeding €160 million, as reported by Ahram Online following a Cabinet announcement.
• In March 2024, Egypt Today reported that the same Saint-Gobain project in Ain Sokhna represents an investment of USD 203 (€175) million and constitutes the company’s third glass plant in Egypt, underscoring a strategic expansion in flat-glass manufacturing to meet rising construction-sector demand.
• In 2024, ArabFinance published data from the General Authority for Investment (GAFI) indicating that new company registrations in Egypt’s construction sector increased by 20%, rising from 2,375 in 2023 to 2,856 in 2024, reflecting heightened development activity across housing, commercial and infrastructure segments.
• In 2024, ArabFinance reported that the construction sector accounted for the largest share of Egypt’s net foreign direct investment inflows, highlighting strong investor focus on real estate and infrastructure, which in turn strengthens demand for float and flat glass products.
• In January 2025, The National, referencing Knight Frank’s MENA construction outlook, reported that Egypt has a future construction pipeline valued at USD565.5 billion, ranking it as the third-largest construction market in the MENA region, which signals sustained long-term demand for building materials including architectural glass.
• In January 2025, Knight Frank AE confirmed in its regional analysis that approximately USD 565.5 billion worth of future projects are planned in Egypt across housing, tourism, infrastructure and mixed-use sectors, reinforcing the structural growth outlook for float-glass consumption.

This construction growth drives float-glass demand for multiple reasons: new residential and commercial buildings need large volumes of architectural glass for windows, façades, doors and interior partitions; infrastructure, industrial and mixed-use projects often use flat glass in their design; and as more modern construction happens, demand grows for higher-quality glass (clear, coated, tinted) rather than basic materials. The fact that glass producers are scaling up capacity suggests they expect this increase in demand to continue, making the construction boom a robust “pull” factor for Egypt’s float-glass market over the coming years. Mention below are few stats for the same.

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Data Bridge market research analyze that The Saudi Arabia and Egypt Float Glass Market is expected to reach USD 815.45 Million by 2033 from USD 608.40 Million in 2025, growing with a substantial CAGR of 3.8% in the forecast period of 2026 to 2033.

Key Findings of the Study

Rising Standards And Regulations Pushing Demand For “Good Quality Glass”

Rising building standards and regulations in Egypt are driving demand for higher-quality float glass. Mandatory standards from the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality, such as EOS 353-5/2023 for patterned/wired glass and EOS 1948-1/2017 for laminated safety glass, require optical, structural, and safety compliance, pushing builders to use certified float glass over low-grade alternatives (EOS, 2023; EOS, 2017). Additionally, projects in Egypt’s New Administrative Capital using thermochromic façades demonstrate growing adoption of energy-efficient, high-performance glass (Journals.ekb.eg, 2025), while Guardian Glass’s new Low-E and solar-control coated glass line reflects manufacturer response to rising market demand for premium, regulation-compliant glazing.

For instance,

• In September 2025, Guardian Glass announced that it will install a state-of-the-art sputter coater at its manufacturing plant in 10th of Ramadan City, Egypt, enabling production of advanced Low-E and solar-control coated glass for energy-efficient buildings. The company stated that the coater supports rising demand for high-performance glazing in residential and commercial construction.
• In September 2023, the Egyptian Organization for Standardization and Quality (EOS) adopted Egyptian Standard ES 353-5/2023 on “Glass in building – patterned/wired glass,” setting mandatory optical, dimensional and visual requirements for wired patterned building glass, thereby tightening product-quality obligations for manufacturers and importers.
• In 2023, EOS confirmed that Egyptian Standard ES 1948-5/2018, covering laminated and laminated safety glass, remains an obligatory national standard. This specification includes requirements for dimensions, edge finishing, impact resistance and durability, reinforcing mandatory compliance obligations for building-glass producers.
• In April 2024, ArabFinance reported that Egypt’s glass industry has expanded significantly, noting that national output has doubled in recent years, and that Egypt has transitioned from a net importer to a net exporter of glass products due to growth in construction, infrastructure and industrial activity.

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Egypt’s float glass industry is increasingly looking beyond domestic consumption, leveraging its production capacity, geographic location, and competitive costs to serve foreign markets. As domestic demand alone may fluctuate depending on construction cycles, export markets offer an additional and potentially more stable revenue stream. Because several Egyptian glass producers already use modern technologies and meet quality standards, they are positioned to supply glass — including float/flat glass sheets — to countries across MENA, Africa, and Europe. The growing export volumes help justify expansions in capacity, investments in better manufacturing lines, and the introduction of higher quality glass products (clear float, wired/patterned, coated, etc.).

For instance,

• In December 2023, exports from Egypt under “float glass and surface ground or polished glass, in sheets” (HS 7005) reached USD 92 million, reflecting a 4.73% increase compared to 2022, according to annual export statistics published for 2023.
• In December 2023, Egypt recorded exports of “float glass in sheets, non-wired” (HS 700529) valued at approximately USD 66 million, shipped to key destinations including Spain, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Turkey, Libya and Lebanon.
• In December 2023, Egypt exported “float glass in sheets, non-wired coloured/tinted” (HS 700521) valued at about USD 19.8 million, reaching markets in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East.
• In December 2023, Egypt exported “float glass in sheets, wired” (HS 700530), amounting to USD 1.93 million and totaling 45,180 m², as reported in the 2023 COMTRADE/WITS dataset.
• In October 2025, Saint-Gobain Glass Egypt announced that upon completion of its new plant in Ain Sokhna, it aims to double its annual glass exports to African markets, targeting €120 million per year, reflecting sustained export-driven growth potential.

Therefore, it can be concluded that export demand provides both a growth avenue and a buffer against domestic demand cyclicality, making it a critical structural driver for the float glass market in Egypt. Below are few of the supporting instances.

The sustained volatility of the Egyptian pound (EGP) and recurrent foreign-exchange shortages have significantly elevated the cost of imported raw materials required for float-glass production, including soda ash, high-grade silica, and specialized additives. For manufacturers dependent on imports, these currency and FX headwinds erode profit margins and increase working-capital constraints. In a sector where energy and raw materials constitute a substantial portion of production cost, such fluctuations undermine cost-competitiveness, challenge long-term planning, and dampen incentives for capacity expansion or modernization. Consequently, currency instability emerges as a critical restraint for the Egypt float-glass market, potentially reducing supply reliability or discouraging further investment.

For instance,

• In April 2025, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUND macro-economic review by an international lender, it was documented that foreign-exchange shortages had dampened investment flows and increased capital cost premiums for manufacturers dependent on imported inputs.
• In October 2025, Reuters media coverage of Egypt’s ongoing economic adjustment noted that manufacturers across sectors are facing pressure from raw-material cost inflation, specifically due to devaluation of the local currency and increased import costs.
• In September 2023, International Trade Administration trade-policy analysts documented a severe shortage of U.S. dollars in Egypt’s import market, noting that foreign-exchange scarcity has constrained imports of essential raw materials for manufacturing industries.
• In March 2024, Reuters stated that the national currency (Egyptian pound) underwent a significant devaluation, which triggered widespread public concern over rising costs for imported goods. The devaluation increased costs for all dollar-denominated imports, including essential raw materials like soda ash and silica used in float-glass manufacturing.

Persistent currency instability and foreign-exchange constraints continue to weigh heavily on Egypt’s float-glass industry by inflating import-dependent production costs and tightening financial flexibility. These pressures not only erode manufacturers’ margins but also hinder strategic planning and investment needed for technological upgrades or capacity expansion. As long as volatility in the exchange rate remains unresolved, it will act as a significant drag on competitiveness and temper the sector’s ability to meet growing domestic and industrial demand.

Report Scope and Market Segmentation

Segment Analysis

The Saudi Arabia and Egypt float glass market is segmented into five notable segments which are based on Product Type, Coating Type, Application, End Use, Distribution Channel.

• On the basis of product type, the market is segmented into Clear Float Glass, Tinted Float Glass, Low-Iron (Extra Clear) Float Glass, Mirror-Grade Float (Silvering Substrate), Online Coated Float (CVD/Reflective).

In 2026, the Clear Float Glass segment is expected to dominate the market

In 2026, Clear Float Glass segment is expected to dominate the market with a 41.48% share and Clear float glass dominates due to its versatility, high optical clarity, and suitability for windows, facades, partitions, and interior applications, supporting widespread adoption across commercial, residential, and industrial projects.

• On the basis of Coating Type, the market is segmented into Uncoated Float, Hard-Coat (Pyrolytic), Soft-Coat (Magnetron Sputtered), Other Functional Coatings.

In 2026, the Uncoated Float segment is expected to dominate the market

In 2026, Uncoated Float segment is expected to dominate the market with a 62.43% share and is widely used for general glazing applications, offering cost-effective performance for architectural projects, interior installations, and processing by downstream manufacturers for value-added treatments.

• On the basis of application, the market is segmented into Building & Construction, Automotive & Transport, Solar Energy, Furniture & Appliances, Others.

In 2026, the Building & Construction segment is expected to dominate the market

In 2026, Building & Construction segment is expected to dominate the market with a 76.13% share and the building and construction segment drives the highest demand, fueled by large-scale infrastructure, urban expansion, energy-efficient glazing adoption, and growing investment in commercial and residential developments.

• On the basis of end use, the market is segmented into OEMS And Processors, Distributors & Wholesale, Retail and Small Fabricators, Others.

In 2026, the OEMs and Processors segment is expected to dominate the market

In 2026, OEMs and Processors segment is expected to dominate the market with a 49.35% share, for producing tempered, laminated, mirrored, coated, and insulated glass products, influencing market dynamics through customization, innovation, and value-added manufacturing.

• On the basis of distribution Channel, the market is segmented into direct, indirect.

In 2026, the Direct segment is expected to dominate the market

In 2026, Direct segment is expected to dominate the market with a 66.43% share as Direct distribution supports large construction firms and industrial buyers, enabling bulk procurement, improved cost efficiency, stronger supplier relationships, and faster delivery for ongoing and upcoming building and infrastructure projects

Major Players

Mohammed Mannaa Glass Corporation (Saudi Arabia), China Glass Holdings Limited (Hong Kong), Egyptian Glass Company (Egypt), Dr. Greiche Glass (Egypt), Guardian Industries Holdings (U.S.), Arab Union Glass Co., Ltd (Egypt), Saint-Gobain Glass Egypt (Egypt), Obeikan Glass Company (Saudi Arabia), AL Andalus Glass (Saudi Arabia), United Float Glass (Arabian United Float Glass Co.) (Saudi Arabia), Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited (Hong Kong), Düzce Cam Sanayi ve Tic. A.Ş. (Turkey), Şişecam (Turkey), Sphinx Glass (Egypt), Manna Glass Co. (Saudi Arabia), Al-Shams Architectural Glass (Egypt), Al Jazeera Glass (Saudi Arabia).

Latest Developments in Saudi Arabia and Egypt Float Glass Market

• In September 2025, Obeikan Glass commenced building a second float-glass line at Yanbu — a 650 tpd expansion — to enhance stainless production capacity for architectural and industrial glass, aiming at meeting rising regional demand.
• In March 2025, Xinyi Glass announced a USD 700 million investment in the Suez Canal Economic Zone (SCZone), Egypt, to build a large-scale photovoltaic (PV) glass production plant — positioning itself to supply PV glass for solar projects in the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
• In October 2024, Saint-Gobain announced that its float glass plant in Ain Sokhna, Egypt will be expanded with a second flat/glass production line, boosting capacity by 85%. Simultaneously, the plant is integrating a solar-farm to meet part of its own energy needs — reflecting a strong move toward sustainable, higher-output manufacturing.
• In May 2025, Sphinx Glass participated as a leading exhibitor at WINDOOREX Middle East 2025, reaffirming its commitment to architectural and industrial glass solutions — presenting its full product range (clear float, tinted, coated, etc.) and highlighting its manufacturing quality, product diversity, and regional market presence.

As per Data Bridge Market Research analysis:

Geographically, the countries  covered in the Saudi Arabia & Egypt Float Glass Market report are  Saudi Arabia & Egypt.

Saudi Arabia is the dominating region in Saudi Arabia & Egypt Float Glass Market

Saudi Arabia is expected to dominate the Saudi Arabia & Egypt Float Glass Market, accounting for the largest revenue share of 74.22%% in 2026. This demand is driven by the Vision 2030 megaprojects such as NEOM, The Line, Red Sea projects, Qiddiya, and large-scale residential and commercial developments. These projects require advanced glazing products including low-E glass, reflective glass, solar-control glass, and tempered and laminated architectural glass. The country is also investing heavily in renewable energy, increasing demand for low-iron solar glass used in photovoltaic modules. Strong government support, energy availability, and industrial diversification policies are further encouraging float glass capacity expansion and modernization

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