Investing in Glass Stocks

Humans have been using glass since the Stone Age, and after 6,000 years, we're still finding new uses for the transparent solid material.

The global market for flat glass was estimated at $311 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6% through 2030. Glass bottles add another $70 billion to the total market. Glass is ubiquitous and essential to a large number of stock market sectors, including construction, automotive, and smart screens for tech products.

Glass, made primarily from mixing soda ash and silica with additives, is sometimes seen as a commodity. However, given its importance to such a wide variety of end markets, it is not as cyclical as commodities that are closely tied to only a few different uses. Manufacturers also have opportunities to patent their own special blends designed for specific uses, giving them more pricing power than what we see from many commodity investments.

For investors, glass provides exposure to a range of markets poised for growth in the years to come. The choices for investors are almost as diverse as the uses for the product. Here's a look at four stocks to consider for those interested in investing in glass.

3. O-I Glass

O-I is focused on the packaging market, with operations in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, producing and marketing a range of glass bottles and jars. Glass containers have seen an uptick in popularity in recent years since they are seen as a greener alternative to plastics because they're easier to recycle.

O-I itself used to be a major plastics manufacturer, but the company exited the business in 2007 as part of a reorganization. It also shelved the name Owens-Illinois, which it had used since its founding in 1929. The remaining company is a major supplier to much of the North American food and consumer goods industries.

4. Apogee

Apogee is a maker of construction products, including glass and aluminum windows, storefront and curtain wall systems, and glass for art. Its products are specifically designed for the commercial user, providing better insulation and protection from weather events such as hurricanes.

The company once made automotive glass, too, but it left that business in 2004 to focus on construction products. In recent years, Apogee has used acquisitions to expand in Brazil and Canada and to round out its portfolio to include framing systems and other non-glass products. Apogee should be well positioned to take advantage of any increase in infrastructure spending involving new buildings or making existing commercial and government buildings more energy-efficient.

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