Date: 26 October 2026
Innovations and concrete solutions provide guidance for the future of the glass industry
glasstec 2026 has again proven its relevance as a central business and innovation platform for the global glass industry. For four days exhibitors and trade visitors from throughout the world used the personal encounters in Düsseldorf to strengthen existing partnerships, open up new business opportunities and drive concrete projects. The exhibitors’ positive response and the high quality of the trade audience show that the international glass sector develops solutions, invests in the future and actively co-shapes change.
“glasstec provides the international glass industry with important guidance. It shows which direction markets and technologies are taking, thereby creating precisely the right platform for investment and innovation decisions. This is the special strength of a world-leading trade fair,” says Marius Berlemann, Chief Operating Officer of Messe Düsseldorf.
Leading companies from all over the world
More than 1170 exhibitors from 48 countries showcased the complete spectrum of the glass industry – from machinery and equipment for glass production and processing to innovative technologies to glass products and their varied applications. This means glasstec once again mapped the sector’s complete value chain in one place.
The importance of face-to-face encounters and international business relations is also confirmed by Dr. Christoph Hermanns, Managing Director of MDI Advanced Processing GmbH and chairman of the glasstec advisory board: “glasstec has demonstrated impressively just how relevant face-to-face meetings and international business relations are, especially in a challenging environment. New products were presented, ideas exchanged and concrete projects agreed upon. This is how cooperations are formed and business is done.”
Strong international attendance and high-quality visitors
glasstec’s global appeal remains undiminished. Trade visitors from 126 nations travelled to Düsseldorf, 75% of these from abroad and almost one in four from outside Europe. The decision-making power of the trade audience was also convincing: 75% came from top and middle management. Satisfaction levels with the trade fair offering were increased further. Visitors were particularly impressed by the quality of the exhibitors’ offerings, the level of innovation and the presence of market-leading companies.
Hot Topics and high-calibre supporting programme provide important impetus
The three Hot Topics AI & Digital Technologies, Decarbonisation and Circular Economy shaped the content focus of glasstec 2026.
The high-calibre supporting programme once again proved a major attraction for the audience. The formats “glass technology live”, “glasstec conference”, “architecture forum”, “glass trends live”, “CircuClarity Two” and “women in glass” convinced their audiences with new perspectives and in-depth technical exchange. “Handwerk Live” complemented the offering with hands-on demonstrations, expert lectures and workshops all related to today’s glazier trade.
The next glasstec will be held in Düsseldorf from 19 to 22 September 2028.
For further information and latest news from the industry all year round visit: https://www.glasstec-online.com/
Exhibitor voices – glasstec 2026
LiSEC Holding GmbH
Gottfried Brunbauer, COO of LiSEC: “glasstec was a great success for LiSEC. We were particularly pleased with the large number of international visitors and the strong interest in our solutions. The excellent organisation by the trade fair management provided the ideal setting for intensive networking and face-to-face exchange. Through many interesting and constructive discussions, we were able to strengthen existing partnerships, establish valuable new contacts and gain important new insights. Once again, glasstec impressively demonstrated its significance as an international meeting place for the glass industry.”
Guardian Europe S.à.r.l
Guus Boekhoudt, Executive Vice President, Global Commercial, Guardian Glass: “glasstec once again shows the value of bringing the glass industry together. The quality of the conversations and the opportunity to reconnect with long-standing partners, meet new contacts and discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead make this an important event for Guardian Glass and our industry.”
HEGLA GmbH & Co. KG
Toni Schön, CSO HEGLA: “Once again, the international glass industry came together in Düsseldorf for glasstec. Over four days, innovation, high technology and expertise combined with an impact and reach that only glasstec, as the world’s leading and unique trade fair, can deliver. Trends were set, positive signals reinforced and the strong sense of unity within the glass industry impressively demonstrated.”
MAPPI International Srl
Nancy Mammaro, President and CEO, MAPPI International: "glasstec 2026 confirms what we have seen in recent editions: the quality of business contacts keeps rising. Visitors come to Düsseldorf with clear projects and concrete questions, and the fair has become the place where solid, long-term relationships begin. Joining the Women in Glass panel was a pleasure. More and more women work in our industry, from the production floor to leadership. Our goal is for this to become so normal that it is no longer news."
Saint-Gobain Glass Deutschland GmbH
Nicolas Mondy, Vice President Performance Segment Glass: “Glasstec 2026 was a very successful event for Saint-Gobain. The many valuable conversations and discussions with customers and partners made the event a great success for us. By bringing together the expertise and solutions of different Saint-Gobain businesses, we demonstrated the strength of our joint approach and how we can address our customers’ challenges together through innovative and sustainable solutions.”
NorthGlass Technology Co., Ltd.
Gao Li, CEO NorthGlass Technology Co., Ltd.: “As one of the world's largest suppliers of glass deep-processing equipment and products, NorthGlass has always actively participated in the glasstec event, bringing its latest technologies and most representative products to the show. glasstec has always been our most valued international exhibition. In advocating decarbonization, circular economy, artificial intelligence and digital technologies, as well as technological innovation, NorthGlass resonates with glasstec. We thank the organizers for providing such a valuable platform and support for NorthGlass and many other manufacturers. We hope glasstec will continue to build a platform that leads industry innovation and development, injecting more vitality into the global glass industry! We also wish glasstec greater and greater success!”
VDMA Services GmbH, Forum Glastechnik
Gesine Bergmann, VDMA Forum Glass Technology: “We received a lot of positive feedback from our members. Glass machinery manufacturers are very satisfied with the quality of the contacts and discussions, as well as with the key topics at glasstec 2026. Digitalisation topics such as AI-based applications were particularly sought after. Given the growing importance of communication between machines and components, we are especially pleased that connectivity attracted considerable interest at our VDMA booth. For us as an association and conceptual sponsor of the trade fair, glasstec is an excellent platform for presenting forward-looking topics to an international audience.”
ift Rosenheim GmbH
Dr Jochen Peichl, Managing Director of ift Rosenheim: “glasstec 2026 has demonstrated just how important safety and climate resilience are for buildings and glass products. For us at ift Rosenheim, the professional exchange with visitors and the opportunity to present specific product solutions in these areas at our stand were particularly valuable. Many thanks to our co-exhibitors! I am delighted that our special exhibition ‘safe – innovative – sustainable’, featuring live demonstrations, as well as our expert presentations as part of the diverse conference programme, attracted such great interest.”
About glasstec
glasstec is the world-leading trade fair for glass production, finishing and products. Every two years it maps the entire value chain of the glass sector – from glass machinery construction and glass production to the glazier trade. From 19 to 22 September 2028, it will again bring together international decision-makers, market leaders and experts from the entire glass industry at Düsseldorf Exhibition Centre.
A programme of side events with an international focus links science with practice and addresses the industry’s key issues. The focus here is on the Hot Topics: Circular Economy, AI & Digital Technologies and Decarbonisation. These topics of tomorrow are discussed in conferences, forums and expert events where leading research, science and industry representatives share their approaches.
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