Chemically Strengthened Glass Is Having A Moment

The numbers tell the story: the chemically strengthened and sapphire glass market hit $1.85 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $2.23 billion by 2032. That's modest growth (2.8% CAGR), but what's interesting is who's driving it. Corning, AGC, NEG, and Schott together hold about 94% of the market, and Asia Pacific accounts for roughly 99% of consumption.

The applications are shifting too. Smartphones and tablets still dominate (over 90%), but smart wearables and aerospace are growing.

On the equipment side, R.C.N. Solutions just delivered a new chemical tempering plant to an Italian company in mid-March. The machine handles 2500x2000mm sheets and is headed for naval industry applications. The company notes that demand for chemical tempering is rising because it delivers superior strength with no anisotropy-no distortion, no roller wave, just uniform stress