Global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market generated revenue of US$ 8,261.1 million in 2021 and is estimated to reach valuation of US$ 22,309.1 million by 2030 at a CAGR of 12.2% during the forecast period, 2022–2030.

The demand for ultra-thin glass is on the rise, as manufacturers look to create more efficient and delicate products. Thin glass can be used in a variety of applications, from smartphones and laptops to televisions and car windows.

Ultra-thin glass is essential for a number of advanced technologies, including smartphones that are thin enough to be placed inside users' pockets. Finding a material that is both strong and lightweight is difficult, but ultra-thin glass has proven to be a suitable replacement for tougher plastics.

One challenge that manufacturers face when producing ultra-thin glass is its susceptibility to scratches or other damage. To avoid these issues, manufacturers often use specialized coatings or tempered lenses on their products.

To Get more Insights,  Request A Free Sample 

Key Dynamics of Sensors (ultra-thin glass) Market

Drivers

Increased Reliability of Smartphone for Fingerprint Sensor on Ultra-Thin Glass

With an increase in the adoption of smartphones, the demand for fingerprint sensors is also increasing. This, in turn, has given impetus to growth of the ultra-thin glass market as modern flagship smartphones use fingerprint sensors made of extremely thin glass. These sensors help maintain a high level of usability while protecting end-user privacy. High detection reliability is made possible by the special material properties of the sensors. Many sensor manufacturers, glass processors, module manufacturers, and smartphone OEMs around the world are currently testing ultra-thin glass.

Additionally, it offers an extremely attractive and cost-effective packaging solution and helps achieve high levels of reliability and performance without increasing the price of electronic gadgets, which directly benefit many users.

Rising Usage of Ultra-Thin Glass in Various Electronic Devices

The most advanced components for mobile devices such as substrates for flexible OLED display and wearable devices, camera systems, micro-batteries, processors, fingerprint and biological sensors and processors can be manufactured using ultra-thin glasses. In semiconductor applications, ultra-thin glass offers several technological advantages over plastic or silicon. Moreover, the product is able to grab attention of end-users with the downsizing trend by opening exciting ideas in the race to develop the next generation of smartphone, wearable, and IoT technologies.

Restraint

High Cost of Raw Materials

Ultra-thin glass is becoming increasingly popular for a variety of applications including displays, solar panels and windows. However, the high cost of some raw materials has made manufacturing ultra-thin glass more expensive than traditional glass products. For example, the cost of silver can account for up to 50% of the cost of producing a piece of ultra-thin glass.

Silver is one of the most expensive elements used in manufacturing ultra-thin glass. The element is usually obtained by mining or extracting it from natural sources. However, its high price has led to difficulties in scaling up production. In addition to silver, other expensive materials include aluminium and gold.

Raw material costs for the production of sensors (ultra-thin glass) have steadily increased in recent years due to several economical ups and downs. Because ultra-thin glass sensors used in a variety of indoor displays and OLED (organic light-emitting diode) panels are easy to break, unlike plastic displays, handlers have to extra cautious. 

In addition, handling of ultra-thin glass in the production process is a major challenge. For instance, in the float manufacturing process, the float technique uses raw glass components such as borosilicate and soda lime to produce ultra-thin glass. Additives such as dyes and refinements are also used to improve the chemical & physical characteristics of the glass. They involve complex processes that are difficult for maintaining glass thickness depending on the final application, increasing overall costs.

Trend

Evolving Applications of Ultra-Thin Glass Sensors in Various Industries

The wide application of ultra-thin glass sensors is driven by the growing need to develop larger and thinner glasses to increase productivity and functional performance, which is an important reason for its massive application in various industries such as consumer electronics and cars, among others. Moreover, among all the different sensors that are developing these days, capacitive fingerprint sensors are gaining popularity. This helps manufacturers ensure correct identification of smartphone users. This allows for the highest detection accuracy when using the thinnest, toughest glass. For instance, SCOTT AG manufactures ultra-thin chemically strengthened glass that is about four times stronger than basic untampered glass. Emerging trends offer profitable opportunities for using ultra-thin glass sensors as a substrate and encapsulation solution in various fields related to printed and flexible electronics, including their application among OLED displays, OLED Lightning, RFID, and thin film batteries.

Market Segmentation

Thickness Analysis:

By thickness, global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market is segmented into <0.1mm, 0.1mm-0.5mm, and 0.5mm-1.0mm. Where 0.1mm-0.5mm is holding the largest market share and is expected to continue to dominating the market in coming years. This is due to its excellent heat resistance and wider application range. For instance, touch screens, fingerprint sensors, semiconductor substrates, automotive infotainment systems, and biotech equipment all use ultra-thin glass between 0.1mm and 0.5mm thick.

Due to the rise in IoT applications, trends in vehicle sensor development and growing demand for smart technology, we expect the product penetration will increase in the coming years.

Production Process Analysis:

By production process, the global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market is segmented into float process, downdraw process, and overflow fusion process. Wherein, the float process segment is holding the lion’s share as this method uses raw glass components like soda lime and borosilicate. In the float process, firstly raw materials are dissolved in a furnace at a temperature of approximately 15,000°C to form molten glass. Manufacturers frequently use this production method because it can create ultra-thin glasses in a range of thicknesses.

Sensors Type Analysis:

Based on sensor type, the global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market is segmented into optical sensors, temperature sensors, biomedical sensors, fingerprint sensors, touch sensors, image sensors, micro-sensors, x-rays sensors, and others. Wherein the image sensors segment is dominating the market due to the growing demand for cameras, camcorders, multimedia cell phones and security cameras, and many other imaging equipment across industrial, multimedia, medical and consumer products. Furthermore, the demand for image sensors has significantly increased due to the growing use of smartphones on a global scale and the popularity of smartphone photography.

Moreover, the global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market is flooded with micro-sensors that offers improved detection and quick stimulus response. As a result, the micro-sensor market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period.

Application Analysis:

Based on application, the global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market is divided into touch panels, displays, fingerprint sensors, semiconductor substrates, vehicle infotainment systems, and biotechnological devices. In 2021, the touchscreen industry was largest adopter of ultra-thin glass sensors as many products including smartphones, televisions, wearable technology, and signage make use of touchscreen sensors. The use of touchscreens in electronic gadgets allows users to directly interact with displayed content instead of using a touchpad, remote control, mouse, or similar device.

While the fingerprint sensor segment is expected to grow at a rapid CAGR over the forecast period mainly due to the increasing adoption of smartphones, security applications, and government initiatives to adopt biometrics.

End User Analysis

By end use, the market is primarily segmented into medical & healthcare, automotive & transportation, consumer electronics, and other segments. Wherein the consumer electronics segment occupies the highest share and is also expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. We attribute this to high demand for consumer electronics such as smartphones, tablets, and televisions. Additionally, the rising sale of automotive goods further promotes the growth for global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market. 

 To Understand More About this Research:  Request A Free Sample 

Geographical Analysis

Asia Pacific holds the largest share of the global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market and is also expected to grow at the fastest CAGR over the forecast period due to the growing adoption of consumer electronics in India, China and Japan, among others. Rapid Population growth in India, China, and Indonesia is an important factor driving the increased demand for electronic products.

While the North America is projected to hold a substantial share of the market during the forecast period.

Top Players in Sensors (Ultra-Thin Glass) Market 

Air-Craftglass, CSG Holding co., Corning Inc., Schott AG, Asahi Glass, Nippon Electric Glass Co., Japan Display Inc. and Lonza are some of the major players in global sensors (ultra-thin glass) market.

In 2021, the top 7 players accounted for 20-25% share of the global market. Moreover, the top players are taking all the possible measures to maintain their dominance in the market by employing several tactics and growth strategies. In addition, many researchers and companies are focusing on developing their new product developments and improvements to meet the needs of specific consumers while studying the use of thin glass adaptive panels in a facade, which has interesting results in terms of visual impact, and ventilation that can achieve a reduction in dead weight. The safe use of thin glass in facades still depends on further research and testing. 

List of Key Companies Profiled:

• AIR-CRAFTGLASS
• Asahi Glass
• Aviationglass & Technology
• Changzhou Almaden Co.
• China National Building Materials (CNBM)
• CORNING Inc.
• CSG Holding Co.
• Fuyao Glass Industry Group
• Huihua Glass
• Japan Display Inc.
• Kyocera Co.
• Nippon Electric Glass Co.
• Novalglass
• Runtai Industry
• SCHOTT AG
• TAIWAN GLASS Group
• Vitro Glass
• Xinyi Glass Holdings Limited
• Other Prominent Players 

Key Developments:

• In September 2022, Corning Inc. established one of the largest optical fiber and cable manufacturing plant in the world in Poland to attempt to meet the rising demand for high-speed connectivity, which is likely to cater to about 30% of the demand in Europe for the upcoming year. This optical fiber is made of very thin glass and is sent to cable manufacturers, who use it for telecoms networks.
• In August 2021, Asahi India Glass Ltd. (AIS) and Vishakha Group announced their solar glass joint venture with an agreement in principle to establish India's largest and most modern solar glass factory in Mundra, Gujarat.
• In April 2022, LG is said to be "working with Apple to develop another foldable OLED panel" which will be "developed for tablets and laptops with ultra-thin glass as the cover window instead of polyimide."

Segmental Overview

(Note*: We also provide granular level reports, made to sub-segment level or only for niche segments. Contact us, if you require more details.)

By Thickness

• <0.1mm.
• 0.1mm-0.5mm.
• 0.5mm-1.0mm

By Production Process

• Float Process
• Downdraw Process
• Overflow Fusion Process

By Sensor Types

• Optical Sensors
• Temperature Sensors
• Biomedical Sensors
• Fingerprint Sensors
• Touch Sensors
• Image Sensors
• Micro-Sensors
• X-Rays Sensors
• Others

By Application

• Touch Panels
• Display
• Fingerprint Sensor
• Semiconductor Substrate
• Vehicle Infotainment System
• Biotechnological Devices

By End User

• Medical & Healthcare
• Automotive & Transportation
• Consumer Electronics
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • The U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • ASEAN
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa