Cover glass scratch resistance coatings: From good to have to must
Jun 22, 2026
The market for scratch-resistant cover glass and its coatings is expected to hit about $4 billion in 2026 and grow to $7.3 billion by 2032, a compound annual growth rate of 10.6%. That steady climb reflects a simple fact: people are using more devices with big, exposed screens like smartphones, tablets, wearables, and car infotainment systems, and they expect those screens to hold up to daily wear and tear without looking beat up.
To meet that demand, manufacturers are pushing a mix of technical approaches. Chemically strengthened glass is now often paired with hard coatings, ceramic-based layers, or sol-gel solutions to boost surface durability. The trend doesn't stop at just hardness, though. Multi-layer coating systems are increasingly combining scratch resistance with anti-reflective, oleophobic (oil-repelling), and anti-fingerprint properties, all in one package, so the screen stays clean, clear, and tough.
