glasstec 2022 - Anticipation in the industry in the International Year of Glass

In the International Year of Glass, the glass industry will celebrate a long-awaited reunion in Düsseldorf, Germany from 20 to 23 September 2022. The sector had to wait four years to once again experience the wide range of exhibitors on the topics of glass production/manufacturing technology, glass processing and finishing, for numerous glass products and applications as well as a unique and extensive supporting programme from industry and science.  

Megatrends point to future challenges 

On the basis of in-depth conversations with experts from all stages of the value chain, five global trend themes were identified. They are considered essential for the future development of the glass industry as well as for our society as a whole. These are:  

• Climate (emission reduction and renewable energies) 
• Urbanisation (future-proof architecture with glass) 
• Value (sustainable value chain) 
• Resources (efficient and sustainable use of resources)  
• and Wellbeing (improved quality of life through glass)  

“These mega trends will be in focus in the conference rooms, at the special show areas as well as at exhibitors’ stands. This means we will provide the glass industry with a unique spectrum of innovative future solutions and information as well as the opportunity to expand their personal network in the global world of glass,” says Birgit Horn, Project Director of glasstec.  

Exhibitor registrations indicate positive outlook for the trade fair  

“At the beginning of the year registration figures are comparable with 2018 levels – i.e. before the pandemic. This is a positive signal sent by the glass industry, considering the latest event was one of the most successful ones we had at the homebase in Düsseldorf,” adds Birgit Horn. Both national and international testimonials supporting this positive trend are featured on the glasstec exhibitor site with the motto “Let’s go Live”. However, it is still possible to register at the trade fair as an exhibitor at www.glasstec.de/application 

NEXT IN GLASS – glass technology live: the innovations show with an outlook on future glass applications 

The special show glass technology live (gtl) will be organised by the university network of the four Technical Universities of Darmstadt, Delft, Dortmund and Dresden. Students from a wide range of disciplines and the industry will again amaze visitors and fuel discussions with their mock-ups and innovative glass structures. The first of several glass technology live videos will shortly be released online providing exclusive insights into the details and plans for the upcoming edition of glass technology live. The videos will be available on the glass technology live-Website and the glasstec social media channels. 

Think tank: glasstec conference and call for papers 

The glasstec conference combines harnesses industry know-how from theory and practice in the context of the five trend themes. Every day, glasstec 2022 visitors can find out about the current developments and trends in the sessions on Glass Production, Processing Technology and Products. Currently, companies are invited to apply for a speaking slot at the conference with glasstec’s call for papers. 

Also forming an integral part of the line-up of supporting program, is the international Architecture Congress. This year it will be held once again in cooperation with the Chamber of Architects North Rhine-Westphalia on the Thursday of the trade fair (22 September, CCD Ost) under the heading: “Weitblick. Zukunftsfähige Architektur mit Glas” (Foresight. Future-Proof Architecture with Glass).   

The morning sessions of the glasstec conference agenda at a glance:  

Tuesday, 20 September: glass processing and finishing 

New processing options and technologies 

Wednesday, 21 September: glass production I 

Decarbonisation – new energy systems and transition to renewable energy sources 

Thursday, 22 September: glass products and applications 

New glass products and recyclability of glass 

Friday, 23 September: glass production II 

Alternative resources and recycling of container and flat glass 

Each afternoon will feature additional lectures in the glasstec conference area. These will be offered by universities and scientific institutions on the topic of façade and metal construction, by the VDMA on the topic of machine communication and by EuroWindoor on energy efficiency and the use of natural daylight. Details on the supporting will be available here in the future: www.glasstec-online.com/en/Program/Overview  

Crafts LIVE and WorldSkills Germany – glasstec Edition 

The wide range of exhibitors and products at glasstec provides craftspeople with a comprehensive overview of the latest glass products and tools as well as mounting and lifting aids. For years, the most relevant meeting point for networking and exchanging information among experts from the glass processing crafts sector has been the joint stand of the Federal Association of the Glazier Trade. This is also where the state professional schools are represented. 

For the third consecutive time, the Handwerk LIVE special show will present the top innovations for the glass processing trade in practical application. This year, the area is themed around the World Cup of Trades. At ‘WorldSkills Germany – glasstec Edition’ young glaziers from all over Germany will compete in this qualifying competition to secure their starting place for ‘EuroSkills 2023’.  

The event is organised by the Federal Association of the Glazier Trade (Bundesinnungsverband des Glaserhandwerks e.V.) and the Association of Young Glaziers and Window Makers (Verband der Jungglaser und Fensterbauer e.V.). 

The machinery and work benches for the competition will be provided by the Bohle Group. 5 German candidates have already been shortlisted – the remaining three entries will come from international contestants. Held again concurrently will be the Reff mounting challenge by the Hegla Group as well as demonstrations by IFT Rosenheim. At the “glass art” exhibition international galleries and artists will display their objects and interpretations of and with glass.  

glasstec START-UP ZONE 2022 – the networking platform for young, innovative companies  

At glasstec you encounter the top decision-makers from the glass industry and experts from business, research and politics. This is why the START-UP ZONE provides innovative young companies with an ideal platform for making new contacts and networking. National and international start-ups now have the opportunity to secure a place in the START-UP ZONE. This exhibition opportunity targets companies that have been on the market for less than 5 years, have less than EUR 10 million in annual sales or total assets and have fewer than 20 employees. For more information to participate click here.