Member Action Requested - Canadian Float Glass Expression of Interest
- May 6
- 2 min read
Hello Fenestration Canada Members,
Many of you know that Canada has not manufactured its own float glass in more than 16 years.
Today, Canada remains the only G20 country without domestic float glass manufacturing capability.
Over the past several years, our industry has experienced firsthand the risks associated with this gap in our supply chain. During COVID-19, manufacturers were placed on glass allocations that limited the quantity we could buy and throttled potential growth. Last year’s proposed counter tariffs on imported float glass highlighted another major vulnerability, potentially increasing glass costs by at least 25% for glass entering Canada from the United States. At the same time, Canadian manufacturers continue to face growing competitive pressure from overseas imports benefiting from structural cost advantages tied largely to glass pricing.
Since last year’s trade conflicts, Fenestration Canada has actively engaged with federal and provincial governments to explore pathways for re-establishing float glass manufacturing in Canada. This year, those efforts have expanded to include discussions with global float glass manufacturers and private equity firms to gauge market interest and identify potential investment barriers.
A domestic float glass plant would strengthen supply chain resilience, improve long-term cost stability, support Canadian manufacturing jobs, and improve the competitiveness of Canadian window and door manufacturers.
To attract investors and manufacturing partners, however, we need to demonstrate that meaningful demand exists within the Canadian market and that manufacturers are willing to support Canadian-made glass, provided pricing, standards, and performance expectations are competitive.
Canada currently requires the equivalent of roughly 1.7 float glass plants at 600 tonnes/day capacity. As part of this initiative, we are aiming to validate interest representing at least 70% of one plant’s capacity (approximately 420 tonnes/day). For those members who have already participated - thank you. Early responses already represent approximately 10% of this target.
For members who purchase float glass products, we are requesting your participation in our Expression of Interest survey. Specifically, we are looking to understand:
How much float glass demand could your organization potentially support through Canadian manufacturing
The types of glass products that would be required
Please complete the Expression of Interest form here:
Your participation will help demonstrate the scale of opportunity that exists for rebuilding this critical part of Canada’s manufacturing supply chain.
Thank you,
Humbly yours,
Adrian Edge
Director of Codes and Regulatory Affairs
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