“Glass stands for innovation and technology,” says Daniel Feische about glasstec 2026

In October Düsseldorf will once again become the meeting point for the international glass sector. Director Daniel Feische explains the agenda set by the world-leading trade fair in 2026, why AI, Decarbonisation and Circular Economy move the sector and what awaits visitors and exhibitors at glasstec.

On 20 October glasstec 2026 will open its doors. For Daniel Feische it will be the first edition he will oversee in his capacity as Director. Over the past few months, he has met with companies and industry representatives in various countries and gained an understanding of the glass sector from many perspectives. Just ahead of the trade fair he tells us what surprised him most about all this, which focal accents he wants to set at glasstec and what he is personally looking forward to.

Mr Feische, glasstec 2026 is the first edition you are overseeing as Director. What was your approach to planning and where did you want to add personal touches?

Daniel Feische: It was important for me to first do a lot of listening and get to know the trade fair from different perspectives. As the world-leading trade fair glasstec has been firmly anchored in the international glass sector for decades. We can build on this and see where we can provide fresh impetus at the same time.

For me, one focus is on exchange. In addition to products and technologies we want to create a space for discussing current developments together. This is also reflected in the programme. With new and further-developed formats we pick up on topics that keep many areas of the value chain busy. Our Hot Topics AI & Digital Technologies, Decarbonisation and Circular Economy provide the framework for content here.

What has surprised you most about the glass industry since you joined glasstec?

Daniel Feische: The enormous variety, in particular. We constantly encounter glass in daily life but only when you gain a deeper understanding of the industry, do you see the vast amount of underlying technologies, applications and competencies. From production and processing to mechanical engineering and architecture to research and skilled crafts there are very different areas coming together here.

At the same time, I have experienced how important personal exchange is in this internationally connected industry. Many enterprises face similar issues but bring different experience and approaches to the solutions. Glass stands for innovation and technology, glasstec brings together the people behind it. This is a big part of what makes it so appealing.

You have been travelling extensively over the past few months and have met with companies and industry representatives in different countries. Which encounter or impression has particularly stayed with you?

Daniel Feische: What I remember particularly from my many conversations is the great openness displayed when discussing the current challenges and changes ahead. The points of departure vary from market to market and from company to company; and yet many conversations revolve around the same question: how can the industry drive innovations, develop its production further and become future-proof in the long term?

Bringing these different perspectives together in one place is one of the big strengths of an international trade fair. I’m really looking forward to that in October.

What innovations, topics or formats at glasstec 2026 are you personally most looking forward to?

Daniel Feische: I am looking forward to the variety. To me “glass technology live” is one of the highlights because it shows developments related to the material that is glass in a very illustrative way. At the same time, we have further developed our programme in various areas and expanded it to include new formats. This year the platform women in glass will be featured for the first time, providing room for exchange and networking. With Connected Machines we have added a new special area where the connection of machines from different manufacturers via standardised interfaces and joint data models is demonstrated hands-on. 

It will also be exciting for me to see which topics will receive a particularly strong response in the halls, on the stages and above all in conversations. At glasstec a wide variety of different perspectives and experiences come together.

After four days at the trade fair what would make glasstec 2026 a personal success in your eyes?  

Daniel Feische: For me the trade fair would be successful if visitors and exhibitors said after four days: I have met the right people, obtained new impetus and had conversations that help me move forward. A trade fair feeds on exhibitors’ products, technologies and content but above all on the encounters in between.

If glasstec makes sure that new contacts are made, existing relations are strengthened and new ideas are gained from conversations, then we have achieved a lot.
 

glasstec 2026 will be held in Düsseldorf from 20 to 23 October. Centre stage will be the Hot Topics AI & Digital Technologies, Decarbonisation and Circular Economy as well as an extensive supporting programme revolving around current developments in the international glass sector.