Glass Prices To Rise in Q3 As Raw Material Costs Jump
Apr 03, 2026
Three Chinese cover glass suppliers raised quotes by 8 -12% last week. The reason is not new demand. It is alumina. Alumina prices hit a 28-month high in March, up 34% YoY. Aluminosilicate glass (the kind used in phones, tablets, and automotive displays) needs alumina. A lot of it.
Lens Technology sent the first price increase notice. Biel Crystal followed within 48 hours. Tunghsu is holding steady for now but sources expect them to move by June.
How are downstream buyers reacting? Big brands (Apple, Samsung, Xiaomi) locked in 2026 pricing back in December. They are protected until Q4. Smaller brands and aftermarket buyers are the ones getting squeezed. Expect some mid-tier phone brands to switch back to soda-lime glass for low-end models. That would be a step backward in durability but a necessary one for margin.
Corning is strangely quiet. No price announcement yet. That suggests they are using their vertical integration (owning bauxite sources) as a weapon. If they hold prices flat through Q3, they could steal share from Chinese suppliers. Watch this space.
