glasstec 2014 well on track

The number of exhibitor registrations is on par with those of the previous event in 2012. Last time, 1,175 companies representing glass engineering, glass manufacturing and glass crafts participated, 66% of which came to Düsseldorf from outside Germany.

“We’re delighted by the great response to glasstec 2014, especially with the economic situation in the flat-glass sector and partially even in the mechanical-engineering sector being rather tense at the moment. The fact that businesses continue to count on glasstec, particularly in challenging times, underscores the event’s extraordinary significance,” said Hans Werner Reinhard, Deputy Managing Director of Messe Düsseldorf.

The future of glass in coming years: glass technology live

In addition to the uniquely varied exhibitor presentations, the special show “glass technology live” (gtl) helps to bolster glasstec’s status of industry trendsetter. Organised by Prof. Stefan Behling and his team at the Institute for Building Construction at the University of Stuttgart, it shows products about to emerge in coming years – usually including highlights from the various fields of application and always with a focus on architecture. For example, one of the eye-catchers from the 2012 “Façade and Construction” theme was a window integrated into glazing without any visible framing.

In 2014, the highlighted themes at this special show, which covers about 2,500 square metres, will fall under the rubric “Intelligent Glass” and include the areas Intelligent Building Envelopes, Façade + Energy (Solar), Innovations in Glass, and Glass Design + Interior. Consequently, some of the innovative exhibits awaiting visitors will represent segments such as light directing, translucent glazing, composite elements in façades, glass and OLEDs as well as light and thin glass for architecture and displays.

A high-calibre trade symposium will accompany “glass technology live.” Embedded right in gtl’s exhibition space, a series of lectures on cutting-edge topics will be presented there. All trade fair visitors may attend this event free of charge. Recognised presenters from leading research institutes, associations, companies and architecture firms will discuss in-depth a range of topics. Just like the special show, the symposium will hone in on the future of the glass industry. The gtl Symposium programme will be dedicated to a different theme on each day of the trade fair, with the content designed by these partner organisations: the colloquium of the Hüttentechnische Vereinigung der deutschen Glasindustrie e.V. (the research association of the German glass industry – HVG) and the Deutsche Glastechnische Gesellschaft e.V. (German Society of Glass Technology – DGG) (topic: Glass Melting and Forming, Tue); the Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau e.V. (German Engineering Federation – VDMA) (Processing and Finishing Technology, Wed); the University of Stuttgart (Architecture and Technology, Thu); and the Bundesinnungsverband des Glaserhandwerks (German Federal Association of Glaziers Trades – BIV) (focal theme: Crafts, Fri).

Besides “glass technology live” and the associated symposium, additional items on the agenda enhancing the extensive supporting programme will include the “Crafts Center” with the new hands-on “Glass Crafts LIVE” area, the “Autoglass Arena” and the “glass art” exhibition. Directly adjacent to “glass technology live,” glasstec visitors will find the Façade Center with the “Professional Center Glass + Façade.” The congress programme of glasstec consists of the scientific conference “engineered transparency” focussed on structural uses of glass, the “Architectural Congress” and the “solar meets glass” conference on topics at the intersection of the glass and solar industries.

Press Contact glasstec 2014

Sebastian Pflügge

Brigitte Küppers (Assistant)

Tel.: +49(0)211/4560-464 or -929

Fax: +49(0)211/4560-87 464

E-Mail: PflueggeS@messe-duesseldorf.de or KueppersB@messe-duesseldorf.de