Insulating glass units market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The Portuguese market for insulating glass units grew from 2.46 million m² in 2018 to 2.75 million m² in 2019, driven by significant players like Grupo Sosoares and Guardian Select investing in advanced production and introducing new double and triple glazing products with low thermal emission and acoustic control. This expansion was supported by rising consumer demand for energy-efficient solutions and reinforced by technical regulations such as the UNE-EN 1279 standard. In 2020, market volume fell to 2.37 million m² as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted supply chains and construction activity. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with volume reaching 2.68 million m², fueled by industrial modernization investments, notably COVIPOR's upgraded units in Porto generating around €20 million in sales, and the launch of specialized performance brands like ISOLAR GLAS® and MULTIPACT®.

After the 2021 peak, the market volume declined to 2.34 million m² in 2023 before a slight rebound to 2.40 million m² in 2024. Throughout this period, the sector remained shaped by leading domestic manufacturers and the ongoing adoption of advanced glazing technologies, including units with noble gas fillings and low-emissivity coatings, aligned with persistent energy efficiency regulations and consumer preference for improved thermal and acoustic comfort.

Production insulating glass units in Portugal

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In 2021, Portugal's insulating glass unit production was valued at 127.2 million US dollars, representing a 34.3% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production grew by 44.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 13.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2020, when production fell by 1.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, K m²

In 2021, Portugal produced 2 685 thousand square meters of insulating glass units, marking a substantial 14.6% rise from the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, production increased by 6.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 2 344 thousand square meters, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 2 751 thousand square meters. The most notable decline took place in 2020, when production dropped by 14.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

Exports insulating glass units from Portugal

Exports in kind, K m²

In 2021, Portugal's exports of insulating glass units totaled 126.6 thousand square meters, showing a slight decrease of 1.0% from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports declined by 4.1%, with an average annual decrease of 1.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 113.4 thousand square meters, which also saw the largest decline of 14.2%. In contrast, exports surged by 12.9% in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

From 2018 to 2021, Spain, Switzerland, and France remained the top buyers of insulating glass units from Portugal, accounting for 36.3%, 15.6%, and 11.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 63.2% of Portugal's total exports in this category.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Portugal's insulating glass unit exports grew for the second year in a row in 2021, reaching 10 140 thousand US dollars—a sharp 37.6% increase from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports rose by 4%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 815 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 30.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During the 2018-2021 period, Spain, France, and Angola were the leading destinations for Portugal's insulating glass unit exports in value terms, with shares of 35.1%, 16.2%, and 11.2%, respectively. Combined, these three markets accounted for 62.5% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports insulating glass units to Portugal

Imports in kind, K m²

After two consecutive years of growth, Portugal's imports of insulating glass units declined in 2021, reaching 117.9 thousand square meters—a 21.7% drop from the prior year. From 2018 to 2021, imports increased by 59.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 16.8%. The highest import volume was in 2020 at 150.6 thousand square meters, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a 55.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, K m²

Throughout 2018-2021, Spain dominated Portugal's imports of insulating glass units in kind, holding an 89.5% share of total flows. All other markets combined accounted for the remaining portion.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Portugal's imports of insulating glass units increased for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 10 314 thousand US dollars—up 7.4% from 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports grew by 100.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 26.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain accounted for 83.4% of Portugal's total imports of insulating glass units in value terms. The remaining imports were distributed among a diverse group of smaller countries.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021