Widespread use of solar control window films in the construction industry is expected to propel the growth of the solar control window films market at a CAGR of over 9.3%: MRFR

Market Research Future (MRFR) will be publishing a cooked research report on the “Global Solar Control Window Films Market” that contains information from 2021 to 2030. 

MRFR has identified the following companies as the key players in the global solar control window films market — 3M (US), Avery Dennison Corporation (US), Eastman Chemical Company (US), Saint-Gobain (France), Madico, Inc (US), The Window Film Company (UK), Garware Suncontrol (India), Solar Screen International SA (Luxembourg), NEXFILUSA (US), and Johnson Laminating & Coating, Inc (US).

Market Highlights

The Solar Control Window Films Market is projected to witness healthy growth at a CAGR of over 9.60% to reach USD 6.6 Billion by 2021-2030.

The growth of the global solar control window films market is closely linked to the growth of the building and construction industry. Solar control films today are one of the essential components of residential and commercial buildings. Heat gain through windows accounts for approximately 25 to 30% of the cooling energy demand in commercial buildings in the Americas and Europe. The application of solar control films helps reduce the transmission of solar heat energy by increasing the absorbent or reflective properties of window glass. Moreover, in recent years, the increasing attention has been rightly directed towards energy savings in buildings (residential and commercial) as they account for around 20–40% of total energy consumption in developed countries. For instance, in the UK, studies have revealed that buildings’ CO₂ emissions account for at least 43% of total emissions. Many developed and developing economies have established regulations to reduce building energy consumption by significantly improving the energy efficiency of buildings. According to the Glass and Glazing Federation, around 40% of a building’s load on the cooling system or air conditioners is associated with solar gains through the windows. Hence, the need to reduce solar transmission through building windows and its adverse effect on building energy consumption has become crucial points of study, especially considering the increased global warming awareness.

Window films are designed to keep out the sun, thereby reducing the cooling load, lowering energy consumption and CO₂ emissions, and providing an aesthetic look to the buildings. The growth of the building & construction industry and the increased spending on the construction sector are expected to contribute to the market growth.

Solar control films are being installed in automobiles as they provide superior advantages such as reducing heat, providing UV protection & privacy, holding shattered glass, and reducing glare. Solar films increase occupant comfort by keeping the interior of the car cooler. Increasing safety concerns from harmful UV rays, namely ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB), is the prime factor propelling the demand for solar control films in automobiles, as these UV rays have been known to cause around 90 percent of sun damage in humans. Moreover, solar films also block out harmful UV rays, which tend to damage the car's interior over time. UV rays cause the fabric to fade and the leather to crack. Moreover, the energy consumption for cooling the car (interior AC) increases due to the increased heat dissipation in the car. Solar control films help reduce costs significantly by preventing the damage of interior parts and reducing energy consumption. The advancements in the automotive industry to fulfill the current demand and future requirements of consumers have led to an increased focus on developing innovative and safe materials for automobiles. The demand for solar control window films is expected to increase in the coming years due to the expanding automotive industry.

However, the availability of electrochromic glass (also known as smart glass or dynamic glass) as an alternative to solar control window films is likely to be a factor restraining the global market growth.

Segment analysis

The solar control window films market is segmented based on type, absorber type, and application.

The solar control window films market, based on type, is segmented into dyed, vacuum, clear, and others. The vacuum segment accounted for the largest market share of over 46 % in 2019 and is expected to register the highest CAGR of around 10% during the forecast period. Vacuumed films, also known as metalized films, allows a metal (usually aluminum or a composite of alloys) to be applied as a layer or coating to a clear polyester film before being laminated with another polyester layer. As this process can be accurately controlled, films can be made with varying levels of light transmittance. These films are among the most preferred for solar control applications because they reflect an abundant amount of solar radiation.

Based on absorber type, the global solar control window films market has been segmented into organic, inorganic, and metallic. The organic segment held the largest market share of 45 % in 2019. It is expected to register a CAGR of 9% during the forecast period. Organic coatings are used in safety films by using adhesives. These are thicker and give protection against glass shards. With the rising importance of environmental-friendly products, the demand for organic solar control films is growing.  

By application, the global solar control window films market has been segmented into construction, automotive and transportation, marine, decorative, and others. A solar control glass is a glass with a special coating that is designed for reducing the amount of heat entering a building. It reflects and absorbs heat and filters light for reduced glare. Using a solar control glass can reduce the need for air-conditioning and blinds. There are several types of solar control glass offering different aesthetic options: tinted, reflective, and neutral. The growth of the building & construction industry and the increased spending on the construction sector are further expected to drive the market growth. As per MRFR analysis, the spending on the global construction industry was USD 11.2 trillion in 2018 and is rising significantly year-on-year. The booming construction industry, on account of increased commercialization in emerging economies, and infrastructural development in developed nations, contribute to the market growth.