Overview: Stories
Circular construction: “The Cradle” combines timber, glass and dismantlability
25.02.2026
The office building “The Cradle” in Düsseldorf is a practical example of the cradle-to-cradle principle based on the idea that every component is a resource. Even the building skin forms part of this concept with glazing by the glasstec exhibitor Saint-Gobain.
Lightweight glass drives decarbonisation: Higher strength makes for double the energy savings
12.02.2026
Thomas Claude Sauer, Managing Director of EXXOSQEL and speaker at glasstec 2024, explains in this interview how a novel surface treatment “heals” micro-cracks at a molecular level – a decisive lever for lightweight construction and the decarbonisation of the glass industry.
Quality control, process control, maintenance: how glass producers use AI
04.02.2026
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital technologies have become indispensable to modern manufacturing processes – also in the glass industry. Where is AI already in use and which trends are on the horizon for 2026? We have asked around in the industry.
Photochromic window films revolutionise the energy efficiency of existing buildings
27.01.2026
Photochromic glass films automatically self-regulate sunlight – without any cabling or controls. In this interview, Julia van der Burgt, CTO at ClimAd Technology and speaker at glasstec 2024, explains how the smart technology works and saves energy.
Structural stiffening of flat glass: »Laser technology opens up completely new applications«
22.01.2026
Tobias Rist of Fraunhofer IWM and speaker at glasstec 2024 explains in this interview how an innovative laser process shapes glass in a targeted, localised manner, makes for new structures and improves load-bearing behaviour – and the benefits this brings for architecture and industry.
Vacuum insulation glazing (VIG) in listed building refurbishment
19.12.2025
Monument conservation and energy efficiency often seem to be a contradiction in terms. However, innovative technologies such as vacuum insulation glazing (VIG) show how to reconcile both with each other. This method enables energy-efficient refurbishment without fundamentally changing the outer appearance of buildings.
Bird-friendly glass: a growing global market
19.12.2025
Bird protection is a topic of growing international importance – as confirmed by a current study of Data Insights Market. But the regulations for protecting birds are far from being uniform everywhere. What are the differences and trends in bird-friendly glass?
Be it for displays or AR glasses: glass plays a pivotal role
18.11.2025
Be it in smartphone displays or AR glasses: glass is the material of choice in modern media technology. Its unique properties – ranging from scratch resistance and visual clarity to innovative waveguide technology – are what make digital visions possible.
New guide for sustainable glass packaging design
17.11.2025
In Germany the Federal Association of the German Waste Management, Water and Recycling Industry (Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Kreislaufwirtschaft e.V. – BDE) and the Federal Association for Secondary Materials and Waste Management (Bundesverband Sekundärrohstoffe und Entsorgung e.V. – bvse) have now published a new guide entitled “Design for Good Glass Recycling”.
Repurpose instead of recycling: new paths for insulation glass in construction
05.11.2025
Can waste insulation glass be recycled into high-quality laminated toughened glass? A current study by the Glass Competence Center at Darmstadt Technical University reveals that yes, indeed, it can and holds enormous potential for circularity. We spoke with the researcher about CO₂ savings, the political backdrop and the greatest obstacles to implementation.