Professional articles
Overview: Professional articles
The circular economy in Europe’s hollow glass industry
06.10.2026
glasstec is highlighting the important topic of the circular economy on an international scale: ‘Close the Glass Loop’ is a European action platform that aims to strengthen the closed-loop material cycle for container glass. Across Europe, the aim is to increase the collection rate for glass packaging to 90 % by 2030 and to improve the quality of the collected waste glass.
Re-Use and Re-Manufacturing enter real-world application
10.09.2026
A current study carried out by the CircuClarity initiative shows that Re-Use and Re-Manufacturing are now taking the step from individual pilot projects towards market-ready solutions in the industry. Which procedures already work and what is still standing in the way of successful scaling will also be revealed to those attending the “Circularity Two” Conference at glasstec 2026 in Düsseldorf.
“Glass 2045 - Roadmap for the Decarbonisation of the German Glass Industry”
16.06.2026
How can the energy-intensive glass industry, so far heavily dependent on natural gas, become CO2-neutral by 2045? This issue is examined by the “Bundesverband Glasindustrie e.V.” (Federal Association of the Glass Industry (BV Glas)) jointly with the “Institut für Energiewirtschaft und Rationelle Energieanwendung”(Institute for Energy Economics and Rational Energy Use (IER)) of Stuttgart University
Filigree roof structures and Augmented Reality
19.05.2026
At glasstec the focus is not only on machinery, energy performance or new coatings. At times, the glass industry’s innovative power becomes visible in special things: two current projects from the line-up of exhibitors show how the sector can also fulfil the most complex requirements or develop solutions for new technologies.
Creating spaces protected by glass
05.03.2026
Toughened glass: requirements on physical security, climate resilience and cyber security are rising. Europe has to become more independent, resilient and secure – this could be the credo of a current press review. The need for security is rising noticeably and now KRITIS, the new umbrella act to improve the physical security of critical infrastructure, was adopted on 29 January.
Four exhibitors on the role of the world’s leading trade fair for the glass industry
02.09.2025
A head start through networking and innovation: glasstec in Düsseldorf has been the world’s leading trade fair for the international glass industry for decades. But how relevant will it still be in 2026 for the strategic goals of its exhibitors, especially in view of new market mechanisms, digital channels and changing visitor groups?
Laminated safety glass in vogue: How researchers are now recycling it
29.07.2025
The topic of “safety glass” seems relevant: Many glass manufacturers are strengthening their laminated safety glass production, developing thinner laminates to save raw materials, energy and weight in façades or advancing to the highest safety classes.
Technical article VDMA: Sensor technology and data law in automated glass production
22.05.2025
In their presentation, Dr.-Ing. Matthias Seel and Prof. Dr.-Ing. Michael Kraus dealt with the need based use of the digital twin to increase quality in flat glass production. They empha-sized the importance of measuring and testing technology. Quality assurance is often still based on subjective empirical values, which limit the internal resilience and the ability to innovate.
Glass industry meets AI: And the glazier trade?
22.05.2025
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly being used in manufacturing by major flat glass producers with a view to optimising processes, reducing energy consumption and CO2 emissions and securing competitiveness long term. But are AI applications also already of relevance to glass processors and the glazier trade?
Thin glass in architecture: first applications to start
06.05.2025
The topic of thin glass especially for new applications in architecture attracted a great deal of interest among trade visitors at the past glasstec and its special show “glass technology live”. On behalf of glasstec the author asked research and industry about the current state of the art, what its limits are and which applications can already be expected by the end of the year.