Top 10 Companies in the Self-Cleaning Glasses Industry (2026): Market Leaders Driving Global Innovation

In Business Insights
January 24, 2026


The Global Self-Cleaning Glasses Market was valued at USD 99 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 129.7 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.9% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This growth is fueled by rising demand for smart building materials, increasing focus on hygiene and maintenance reduction in architectural and automotive sectors, and growing adoption of nanotechnology-based coatings. The market is segmented into two primary coating technologies: hydrophobic and hydrophilic, each offering unique mechanisms for keeping glass surfaces clean.

As urban infrastructure evolves and sustainability becomes a core focus, the demand for low-maintenance building materials is accelerating. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Self-Cleaning Glasses Industry—a dynamic mix of global glass manufacturers and specialty chemical innovators shaping the future of smart surfaces.


🔟 1. Nippon Sheet Glass Co., Ltd. (NSG Group)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Pilkington Activ™ (Hydrophilic Self-Cleaning Glass)

Nippon Sheet Glass, operating under the Pilkington brand, is a global leader in glass manufacturing and a pioneer in self-cleaning technology. Their flagship product, Pilkington Activ™, utilizes a hydrophilic, photocatalytic coating that breaks down organic dirt when exposed to sunlight and is washed away by rainwater.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Pioneered one of the first commercially successful self-cleaning glasses
  • Extensive global production and distribution network
  • Focus on architectural and automotive applications

Download FREE Sample Report: Self-Cleaning Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Saint-Gobain

Headquarters: Courbevoie, France
Key Offering: SGG BIOCLEAN® (Hydrophilic Self-Cleaning Glass)

Saint-Gobain is a multinational leader in the construction materials sector. Its SGG BIOCLEAN® is a highly competitive hydrophilic self-cleaning glass that uses a dual-action photocatalytic and hydrophilic process to ensure glass remains clean and transparent, reducing the need for manual cleaning.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Strong R&D focus on sustainable building solutions
  • Integration of self-cleaning properties with other high-performance glazing features (e.g., solar control, thermal insulation)
  • Significant market share in Europe and North America

8️⃣ 3. Vitro Architectural Glass

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Vitro Hydroclear® (Hydrophilic Self-Cleaning Glass)

Vitro Architectural Glass is a leading North American manufacturer of architectural glass products. Vitro Hydroclear® employs a durable hydrophilic coating that leverages sunlight and rainwater to minimize dirt and residue, making it ideal for high-rise buildings and hard-to-reach windows.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Dominant player in the North American architectural glass market
  • Commitment to energy-efficient and sustainable building products
  • Customizable solutions for complex architectural designs

7️⃣ 4. Guardian Glass

Headquarters: Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Guardian® Neat™ (Hydrophobic Self-Cleaning Glass)

Guardian Glass, a global leader in float glass and fabricated glass products, offers Guardian Neat™. This product primarily utilizes a hydrophobic coating technology that causes water to bead up and roll off the surface, carrying away dirt and debris. This approach is particularly effective in regions with less rainfall.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Extensive global manufacturing footprint
  • Focus on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic technology development
  • Strong presence in automotive and architectural segments

Download FREE Sample Report: Self-Cleaning Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Morley Glass & Glazing Ltd.

Headquarters: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Key Offering: MorleyVision™ Self-Cleaning Glass

Morley Glass & Glazing is a UK-based specialist in glass processing and fabrication. The company integrates proprietary self-cleaning coatings onto processed glass units, offering bespoke solutions for the architectural sector, particularly in balustrades, partitions, and facades.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Specialist in applying coatings to processed and toughened glass
  • Strong regional presence in the UK and European markets
  • Focus on delivering value-added glass products to fabricators and contractors

5️⃣ 6. AGC Inc. (formerly Asahi Glass Co.)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: iS™ Self-Cleaning Glass (Hydrophilic)

AGC is one of the world’s largest glass manufacturers, with a diverse portfolio. Their iS™ Self-Cleaning Glass uses a hydrophilic, photocatalytic coating. The company leverages its massive scale and chemical expertise to produce high-performance, durable coatings for various applications.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Global reach with strong positions in Asia, Europe, and the Americas
  • Vertical integration from raw materials to finished glass products
  • Continuous investment in advanced surface technology R&D

4️⃣ 7. Central Glass Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: UVClean™ (Hydrophilic Self-Cleaning Glass)

Central Glass is a major Japanese glass manufacturer with a significant focus on automotive and architectural glass. Their UVClean™ product utilizes a hydrophilic photocatalytic coating that is activated by ultraviolet light to decompose organic matter on the glass surface.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Key supplier to the Japanese automotive industry
  • Development of coatings with enhanced durability and performance
  • Strategic focus on the Asian market

3️⃣ 8. Tuff-X Processed Glass

Headquarters: St. Helens, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Tuff-X Self-Clean Glass

Tuff-X is a specialist processor of safety and decorative glass. The company offers self-cleaning glass by applying advanced coatings to toughened and laminated glass products, serving specific niches in the architectural and interior design markets.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Expertise in processing glass for safety and specialist applications
  • Ability to combine self-cleaning properties with other functionalities like fire resistance
  • Strong reputation in the UK construction industry

2️⃣ 9. Cyndan Chemicals

Headquarters: Victoria, Australia
Key Offering: Solaclean Self-Cleaning Glass Coatings

Cyndan Chemicals is a notable player focused on nano-coating technologies. Rather than manufacturing the glass itself, Cyndan produces liquid coatings that can be applied to existing glass surfaces, offering a retrofit solution for the self-cleaning glass market.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Specialist in aftermarket nano-coating solutions
  • Development of easy-to-apply coatings for residential and commercial use
  • Strong presence in the Australasian region

1️⃣ 10. Balcony Systems Solutions Ltd.

Headquarters: Bethesda, Wales, UK
Key Offering: Self-Cleaning Glass for Balcony Systems

Balcony Systems Solutions specializes in manufacturing glass balustrades and balcony systems. A key component of their offering is integrated self-cleaning glass, which addresses the significant maintenance challenge of keeping balcony glass clean and clear, especially in multi-story residential buildings.

Key Innovations & Market Position:

  • Niche focus on the balcony and balustrade market segment
  • Integration of self-cleaning technology into complete system solutions
  • Understanding of specific maintenance challenges in vertical architecture

Read Full Report: Self-Cleaning Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Self-Cleaning Glass Is Multifunctional and Intelligent

The self-cleaning glass market is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from a niche product to a standard feature in sustainable building design. While traditional coatings are maturing, the next wave of innovation focuses on integrating self-cleaning properties with other advanced functionalities.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Integration with Smart Glass: Combining self-cleaning with electrochromic (switchable) and photovoltaic technologies.
  • Enhanced Durability: Development of coatings resistant to abrasive cleaning and harsh environmental conditions.
  • Bio-inspired Nanostructures: Research into mimicking natural self-cleaning surfaces like lotus leaves for more efficient designs.
  • Rising Demand in Emerging Economies: Rapid urbanization in Asia-Pacific and Latin America driving adoption in new construction.

Get Full Report Here: Self-Cleaning Glasses Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only manufacturing glass—they’re engineering smarter, more sustainable surfaces that are redefining building maintenance and environmental performance for the 21st century.