18 Jun 2025

Could Tempered Glass Become India’s Next Billion Dollar Industry

Tempered glass has evolved from a simple phone accessory into a booming global business. With new standards, domestic manufacturing, and growing demand, India may finally have the chance to turn screen protectors into its next billion dollar opportunity.

The Rise of a Hidden Market

India is the world’s second largest smartphone market, and by 2025 nearly 40 crore tempered glass protectors are expected to be sold every year. That represents a staggering ₹20,000 crore market opportunity. Yet, more than 90 percent of these sales are met by imports, most of them unbranded, low-cost, and routed through informal channels. For years, kiosks and small shopkeepers have run this business, buying glass for as little as ₹15 and selling it for over ₹100. Organized domestic manufacturing, however, has barely made a dent.

Lessons from the Global Market

Worldwide, screen protectors are already a multibillion dollar industry. By 2024, the global market touched $55 billion and is projected to hit $95 billion by 2030. Global players have elevated tempered glass into a premium offering. Brands like Belkin charge nearly $40 at Apple Stores for what is essentially a $2 sheet of glass, packaged with quality guarantees and professional installation. The secret is not the glass itself, but branding, trust, and retail structure. India has not yet cracked this model.

Why India Has a Real Shot

For the first time, both standards and supply are lining up. Earlier this year, the Bureau of Indian Standards introduced IS 19348, the world’s first official quality benchmark for screen protectors. It covers strength, clarity, and even includes anti-counterfeit fog-marking for consumer verification. On the supply side, Optiemus and Corning have announced India’s first large-scale tempered glass manufacturing plant in Noida under the RhinoTech brand. The facility is expected to produce tens of millions of units annually, finally putting domestic production on the map.

The Roadblocks to Scale

Yet challenges remain. India’s smartphone market is highly fragmented, with dozens of models released every quarter. That makes manufacturing complex and margins razor thin. Enforcement of the new BIS standards is also uncertain, as uncertified imports can still slip through ports. Retailers often prefer cheaper, higher-margin imports, while consumers tend to view screen protectors as disposable items rather than trusted, long-term products. Changing this mindset will require strong branding, warranties, and consumer education.

Unlocking the Billion Dollar Story

The potential is too big to ignore. With strict enforcement, consumer awareness campaigns, and support for organized retail, tempered glass could become a structured industry instead of a fragmented grey market. If Indian consumers begin to associate certified tempered glass with reliability the way ISI marks reshaped helmet sales or hallmarks transformed gold buying, this ₹20,000 crore opportunity could also become a global export story.

Final Word

Tempered glass was once a scientific experiment, then it became the invisible shield of the smartphone era. Today, it represents India’s chance to build an entirely new billion dollar industry. If standards, domestic supply, and consumer trust converge, the country might just witness its next big manufacturing success story—one thin sheet of glass at a time.

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