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| Welcome to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. Here you will find a wide range of helpful information. For your convenience, the FAQ section is organized into five different categories. Select a category listed at the left to take you to questions and answers related to that category. |
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| Markets for SPD-Smart Products |
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| Can you tell me about the market potential for SPD-Smart products? |
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| The market potential for SPD-Smart products is large and growing. Globally, flat glass demand in 2004 was 43.1 billion ft2 (4.0 bil m2), and this is expected to grow more than 20% to 52.0 billion ft2 (4.8 bil m2) by 2008 (The Freedonia Group (Cleveland, OH)). The design community has very high expectations for the use of smart glass. A 2004 study of U.S. architects by Research Frontiers finds that architects expect 13.5% of all windows, doors and skylights installed or retrofitted in 2009 will use smart glass. Window manufacturers also have high expectations for smart glass. According to the Townsend Research Group, U.S. window manufacturers expect strong end-user interest in smart glass for both residential and commercial architectural applications. There also is a significant market for the retrofitting of existing glass products like windows and sunroofs. |
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| What are the driving forces behind demand for SPD-Smart products? |
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| There are many forces that are accelerating demand for SPD-Smart products. Worldwide demand for windows and doors is expected to grow nearly 6% per year through 2007 (The Freedonia Group (Cleveland, OH)). Associated with this is the growing recognition of the positive effects of daylighting and a broad movement toward sustainable building design. In the transportation markets, a growing number of original equipment manufacturers are using greater amounts of glass or polycarbonate glazings. Worldwide demand for automotive sunroofs, for example, is expected to grow at more than ten percent per year through 2010. By making these glazings SPD-Smart, vehicle manufacturers can support their weight-savings, security, and fuel efficiency goals while also offering their customers more pleasant travel experiences. |
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