Welcome to the second issue of Asian Glass for 2026.  

This edition highlights several areas where innovation and market demand are reshaping the glass industry across Asia. 

Our cover story examines the rapidly evolving role of automotive glass in next-generation vehicles. Once regarded as a standard component, glazing is now central to the performance and functionality of modern cars. As the automotive sector moves towards electrification, automation and connected mobility, glass must increasingly accommodate cameras, sensors, antennas and display systems while also delivering improvements in strength, weight reduction and energy efficiency. Across Asia, manufacturers are investing in more sophisticated glazing technologies and shifting towards higher-value products that support safer, smarter and more connected vehicles. Rohan Gunasekera explores how automotive glass producers are responding to these technological shifts and the implications for the industry’s future competitiveness. 

Glass is also playing a growing role in shaping the architecture of Asia’s rapidly expanding cities. From China’s coastal megacities to the climate-responsive buildings of Southeast Asia, decorative and high-performance glazing is becoming an integral part of contemporary building design. Rising awareness of sustainability, occupant comfort and energy efficiency is encouraging the wider use of advanced glazing solutions that combine aesthetics with functionality. Technologies such as solar control coatings, switchable glass and photovoltaic glazing are enabling buildings that respond more effectively to environmental conditions. Jahir Ahmed examines how these developments are influencing architectural trends and driving demand for advanced glazing across the region. 

Within the container and tableware sectors, mould technology remains fundamental to production quality and efficiency. Operating under extreme temperatures and constant thermal stress, moulds play a decisive role in determining the shape, finish and consistency of glass products while supporting high-speed manufacturing lines. Across Asia, mould manufacturers are strengthening their capabilities by combining traditional casting expertise with advances in materials engineering and modern production techniques. Yogender Singh Malik provides an overview of mould manufacturing across key Asian markets and profiles the companies shaping this specialised segment. 

The strategic importance of raw materials continues to influence the economics of glass production. Although they represent only a portion of overall manufacturing costs, inputs such as silica sand, soda ash and dolomite remain essential to operational stability. For producers operating across Asia’s diverse regulatory and supply environments, securing reliable and cost-effective sources of these materials has become increasingly important. Yogender Singh Malik analyses how manufacturers are adapting sourcing strategies to manage supply risks and maintain competitiveness. 

Pharmaceutical glass is another area undergoing steady development. As medicines become more complex and sensitive, packaging materials must meet increasingly demanding standards for purity, durability and regulatory compliance. Advances in glass formulation and manufacturing processes are enabling specialised containers designed to protect modern therapies throughout storage and distribution. Rohan Gunasekera examines how pharmaceutical glass is evolving into a higher-value segment of the industry. 

In our China Outlook section, Michelle Wang and Matthew Grandage examine developments in Hebei province, one of China’s most important glass manufacturing regions. Production clusters in Xingtai, Langfang and Xinji continue to strengthen the province’s role in the high-end glass market, while Shahe City has become the country’s largest centre for glass production, processing and distribution. Technological upgrades and a growing focus on energy-efficient manufacturing are reinforcing Hebei’s position within the national industry. 

We also feature an interview with Álvaro Beltrán, founder and CEO of Onyx Solar. The Spain-based company specialises in photovoltaic glass integrated into building envelopes, enabling facades that generate electricity while maintaining architectural flexibility. Beltrán discusses the development of building-integrated photovoltaics and the opportunities for energy-generating glass in Asia-Pacific. 

We hope you enjoy this edition of Asian Glass as we continue to explore the technologies, markets and ideas shaping the future of the industry.