$200m thermopane market

The market of Romanian thermoinsulating glass (also known as thermopane glass) amounted to approximately $200 million last year, as shown by the estimates of the National Association of Windows, Doors, Facades and Thermoinsulating Glass Producers in Romania (ANPFR). “The thermopane glass market in the United States reaches $130bn a year, while the European market is worth about $200bn. As a comparison, the demand in Romania amounted to $200 million last year. We anticipate 10% growth this year; we have to wait until July to see if we can expect 20% growth,” said Marin Crutescu, ANPFR chairman and general manager of one of the leading players on the market, Corina Gealan. The PVC carpentry market is estimated to have reached one million square metres in 2002, therefore sales should have totalled about $120-$130 million, accounting for two thirds of the total market. The housing construction supported by the National Housing Agency (ANL) programme or by the housing loan system, as well as the investments made by companies or institutions in their headquarters, offices or other buildings will be the main factors to influence the development of the Romanian market, Crutescu says. ZF