Glass & Glass Product Manufacturers NAICS 3272

Jan 30, 2026 - What’s Ahead for Glass?

• The Glass Manufacturing Industry Council (GMIC) sees 2026 as a turning point for the glass manufacturing industry, driven by rising demand for sustainable packaging and mounting pressure to cut carbon emissions from energy‑intensive furnaces. Global glass manufacturing is projected to surpass $202 billion this year, driven by strong growth in container, automotive, solar, and specialty glass. To meet demand sustainably, manufacturers are rapidly adopting hybrid and fully electric melting technologies that can reduce emissions by 60–85%. GMIC members are leading deployments of hybrid furnaces, high‑cullet electric melting, and DOE‑supported decarbonization pilots. Energy‑efficiency gains are also accelerating through advanced furnace modeling, operator training, and AI systems that optimize combustion, predict maintenance, and reduce scrap. Circularity is another major focus: with companies boosting recycled‑glass use, developing lightweight bottles, and expanding cullet recovery. Together, these shifts position 2026 as a pivotal year for scaling low‑carbon, high‑efficiency glass production, per GMIC.
• Amazon Trends data indicates that glass packaging products, particularly in the food and beverage and home goods categories, have seen steady growth in sales volume and average price, according to AI sourcing engine Accio. The average price for glass jars and bottles has increased by approximately 12% year-over-year, reflecting the premiumization trend and higher demand for durable, reusable containers. Sales volume for glass packaging products peaked in Q4 2024, coinciding with the holiday season, and saw a secondary peak in Q2 2025. The dual sales peaks in Q4 and Q2 suggest that glass packaging products are in high demand during both holiday gifting and seasonal home organization. Meanwhile, Google Trends data reveals fluctuating consumer interest in glass packaging over the past five years, with notable peaks corresponding to specific events and seasonal trends, particularly around major retail seasons such as the holiday period (November–December) and the summer months.

• Manufacturers of glass and glass products are facing an acute labor shortage, which only looks to get worse, Glass Magazine reported recently. “Labor is the number one challenge for fabricators, glaziers, and full-service glass companies," says Jenni Chase, VP of Workforce Development for the National Glass Association, adding, "It is the biggest pain point for the glass industry,” Moreover, the construction and manufacturing industries are also facing a chronic labor shortage. Construction will need half a million workers on top of the normal hiring rate to keep up with labor demand in 2024 and again in 2025, per the Associated Builders and Contractors. A study by Deloitte and the National Association of Manufacturing reports that the ongoing shortage of skilled labor could lead to 2.1 million unfilled jobs by 2030. Recognizing the severity of the labor shortage, the NGA has added Workforce Development to its organizational goals.
• Producer prices for glass and glass product manufacturers reached another new high in November, up 2.86% compared to a year ago, after rising 3.1% in the previous November-versus-November annual comparison, according to the latest US Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Rising costs, tariffs, and other factors have contributed to companies increasing prices on products. Employment by the industry shrank 1.8% year over year in November, while average wages at nonmetallic mineral product manufacturers, which includes makers of glass and glass products, rose 5.1% YoY in December to $28.74 per hour, BLS data show. New residential construction activity – a driver of demand for windows and glass doors – slowed through the third quarter of 2025 amid affordability pressures and cautious builder sentiment.