The glass industry starts out 2017 with revenue growth

The glass industry recorded clear growth in revenue in the first quarter of 2017. All segments developed positively compared to the same period in the previous year and contributed to the very satisfactory overall first quarter result.

The glass industry’s total revenue in Germany rose by 3.7 percent to EUR 2.37 billion in the first quarter of 2017. Domestic revenue accounted for EUR 1.37 billion (up 1.3 percent) of that figure, while foreign revenue rose by 7.1 percent to EUR 1.00 billion. Last year foreign and domestic revenue grew at a relatively similar rate. This year, so far, foreign revenue growth has been much stronger than domestic revenue growth. The most important trading partners for the German glass industry were France, the Netherlands, China and the USA.

Segment results

Revenue in the flat glass segment increased by 3.2 percent to EUR 252 million in Q1. There was 5.0 percent growth in revenue to EUR 907 million in the flat glass finishing segment. Glass fibre manufacturers also reported a good first quarter result with 5.8 percent growth in revenue to EUR 257 million. Revenue growth in the special glass industry was slightly lower, increasing by 1.0 percent EUR 3.56 million.

Positive development in the hollow glass segment

The hollow glass segment, which includes tableware and container glass, reported very satisfactory Q1 revenue of  EUR 590 million (up 2.9 percent).

BV-Glas President Dr Frank Heinricht commented: “German-made glass is still in high demand, both here and abroad. We’re confident that the German glass industry will continue to be a strong player on the international markets with its high quality and innovative products, despite ‘America first’ and ‘Brexit’.”

Contact

Bundesverband Glasindustrie e.V.
Hansaallee 203
40549 Düsseldorf

Phone: +49 (0)211/ 902278 - 20
E-Mail: info(at)bvglas.de
Internet: www.bvglas.de