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The last two decades have been very eventful for the glass tableware industry in the Middle East, both from the perspective of demand and production. Indeed, the region’s glass tableware market has experienced substantial growth in recent years, driven by factors such as the rising disposable income of consumers, changing lifestyles and the growing tourism and hospitality industry. On the production side, the market is characterised by presence of both local manufacturers and international players offering a wide range of glass tableware products. About two dozen glass tableware producers have set up shop in the region, primarily based in Iran, UAE, and Saudi Arabia. Glassware production technologies are also expected to advance in the future, creating growth opportunities. Experts predict the demand for glass tableware can only increase as consumers seek high-quality and aesthetically appealing products for various purposes. In light of the region’s low production costs, proximity to lucrative European markets and vast African markets, and its role as a tourist and financial hub, it is likely that these predictions will come true, and the Middle East glass tableware industry will continue to thrive for years to come. In our pages inside, Yogender Singh Malik provides a detailed look at Middle East glass tableware.

Countries imposing anti-dumping duties (ADD) are faced with a difficult decision. On the one hand, it is imperative for them to protect their domestic industries – either by reviving industrial sectors hollowed out due to shifting manufacturing to Asia for cheap labour, as in the US and EU, or by creating fledgling industries, such as those in India – by increasing import tariffs.; however, on the other hand, implementing such measures will complicate business trade, raise the risk of retaliation, and increase consumer costs, such as the cost of glass panels for solar modules, thereby delaying carbon reduction, notes Rohan Gunasekara as he examines flat glass trade wars.

In the Central Asian Republics (CAR) – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan – investment in the glass container market has been increasing as the market continues to grow. As a result of the increased interest and investment, some significant changes have begun to take place in the market. In the past, glass containers were imported to meet a large portion of the growing demand for packaging drinks, beverages, food items, and pharmaceutical products. However, today, with the increase in container glass production in the region, regional countries are able to meet a large part of their domestic demand locally. This has resulted in a reduction in container glass imports as well as an increase in exports, which Jahir Ahmed believes is beneficial to the region.

ASEAN countries’ rapid urbanisation is fuelling demand for residential and commercial space, increasing demand for flat glass products. In the 10-member ASEAN bloc, with a population of 700 million, innovations in the field of advanced coatings and technologies are transforming glass facades. The ASEAN flat glass market is experiencing robust growth, pushed by a growing building industry consuming green, energy-saving, solar control, and photovoltaic glass in increasing amounts, says Jahir Ahmed in an insightful piece on this growth.

A member of the Hydra Group, Stara Glass was founded in the 1950s in Genova and provides services such as furnace design, EPC, turnkey projects, and heat balances to the glass industry. Ahead of the company’s upcoming goals for next year, Sara Fasolini, CEO of Stara Glass, speaks exclusively to Asian Glass.

With the end of the year fast approaching, the team at Asian Glass wishes to express their gratitude to all our readers, advertisers, contributors, and well-wishers for helping make this year so successful. Thank you for your significant contribution to our success and for your continued support. We wish you all a very happy and prosperous 2025.