Market evolution: Drawn or blown glass sheets (CN 7004) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the evolution of the European Union's external trade in drawn or blown glass sheets (Combined Nomenclature code 7004) over the period from 2015 to 2025. The product category, which encompasses both uncoated and coated variants, is a fundamental industrial material used in construction, automotive, and solar energy sectors. Over the decade, the EU's trade dynamics in this sector have undergone significant transformations, characterized by declining trade volumes, shifting geographic partnerships, a pronounced move towards higher-value products, and notable price volatility.

1. A decade of declining volumes but rising values

The period from 2015 to 2025 was marked by a substantial contraction in the physical volume of glass sheet trade, while the total value proved more resilient, pointing to a structural shift towards higher-value activities.

EU trade volumes contracted significantly

Both EU imports and exports of glass sheets measured in tonnes experienced a pronounced decline over the period. Imports fell by 49.8% in volume, from 7,423 tonnes in 2015 to 3,729 tonnes in 2025. Exports followed a similar, though less severe, trajectory, declining by 47.8% from 4,269 tonnes to 2,226 tonnes. This parallel reduction suggests a broad-based cooling of trade activity, potentially linked to shifts in regional demand, competition, or domestic production cycles.

The EU remains a net exporter, but the surplus narrowed

Throughout the entire period, the EU maintained a positive trade balance, confirming its role as a net exporter of this glass category. However, the surplus in value terms contracted by 16.4%, falling from €22.2 million in 2015 to €18.5 million in 2025. This contraction occurred despite strong performance in some years, notably peaking at over €50.6 million in 2022.

Significant increases in unit values highlight a shift to premium products

The most striking trend was the sharp rise in average prices. Export prices per tonne increased by 51.3% over the decade. This indicates that while the EU exported less glass by weight, it was exporting glass of higher inherent value. The price per square metre for exports, however, tells a different story, falling by 40.1%. This divergence suggests the EU's export specialization may have shifted towards thicker or heavier, high-value glass types (like coated or specialty glass), where the value captured per tonne is high, even if the value per unit of area declines.

2. Dramatic realignment of trade partners and episodic shocks

The decade witnessed a fundamental reshuffling of the EU's key trading partners for glass sheets, alongside periods of significant price volatility.

The geography of trade underwent a radical transformation

The list of the EU's top seven trade partners for glass sheets in 2025 bears little resemblance to that of 2015. On the import side, Switzerland collapsed from the leading supplier (€7.16 million) to a negligible player (€25,641), a drop of 99.6%. In stark contrast, imports from the Russian Federation surged from a minor €40,983 to €910,364. For exports, while China grew by 61.0%, the United States declined by 45.0%. New strong partners emerged, notably Malaysia (+57.8%) and the United Kingdom (+228.6%). This realignment is also reflected in import concentration: the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) for import value dropped by 55.1%, indicating a significant diversification away from concentrated suppliers.

Notable price shocks affected export flows

The data reveals instances of extreme price volatility for specific export destinations. The most pronounced price shock events were recorded in 2021 and 2022. In 2021, export prices to South Korea spiked by 230.4%. In 2022, even more dramatic price shifts occurred, with prices to the United States and Serbia soaring by 370.5% and 159.5%, respectively. These shocks, while dramatic, were relatively contained in terms of their share of total EU export value, suggesting they may be linked to specific, high-value project shipments or temporary supply disruptions in partner markets.

3. Structural shift towards higher-value coated glass products

Behind the top-line trade figures lies a clear structural shift within the product mix, with a growing emphasis on higher-value, coated glass products.

Coated glass (700420) commands a significant price premium

The product category CN 7004 is bundled into two subcategories: 700490 (uncoated sheets) and 700420 (coloured, opacified, or coated sheets). A comparison of import prices reveals the vast value difference. In 2025, the average import price per tonne for coated glass (700420) was €7,671, which is 4.8 times higher than the price for uncoated glass (700490) at €1,604. This premium reflects the added value from manufacturing processes like coating for solar control, insulation, or reflective properties.

The import share of coated glass is growing

While uncoated glass (700490) still dominates trade volumes, the value share of coated glass in EU imports has increased substantially. The value of imports for 700420 grew from €1.72 million in 2015 to €4.19 million in 2025, a 143% increase. Consequently, its share of total import value for CN 7004 rose from 12.9% to 43.9%. This indicates the EU is increasingly sourcing higher-value processed glass from abroad.

EU production shows a paradox of volume decline but value resilience

Information on EU production, measured in square metres, shows a dramatic 87.8% decline from 24.7 million m² in 2015 to 3.0 million m² in 2025. Conversely, production value increased by 51.4% over the same period. This profound disconnect further underscores the sector's move away from mass-produced commodity glass towards specialized, high-value-added products where the EU retains competitive advantages.

Conclusion

The EU's trade in drawn or blown glass sheets over the 2015–2025 period tells a story of profound transformation. The market saw a significant contraction in trade volumes but a resilience—and often growth—in values, signaling a decisive shift up the value chain towards premium, coated products. This structural change is mirrored in the dramatic reshuffling of trade partnerships, with old suppliers collapsing and new ones emerging, leading to a more diversified import base. While the EU's traditional role as a net exporter remains intact, its industrial strategy appears focused on higher-margin, specialized glass. The data points to an industry responding to global competition by specializing, thereby navigating declining volumes while enhancing value capture. The key challenge and opportunity ahead lie in sustaining this value-focused differentiation in a dynamic global market.