Start-Up Zone at glasstec 2026: these are the participating enterprises

Read on to find out who they are, what they are working on and what they will be showing at glasstec.

Those wanting to know which new ideas might be relevant in the glass sector in future, will find very different approaches compactly presented in the Start-Up Zone. The spectrum ranges from automation and AI to battery storage and new coating technologies to solar protection, recycling and adaptive façades.

What is noteworthy here, is that not all participants come directly from the traditional glass industry. Some translate experience and technologies from other industries to applications with glass, while others are university spin-offs or are working on new solutions for concrete challenges along the value chain.

The enterprises and projects featuring in 2026:

ASEP AUTOMATION D.O.O.

ASEP AUTOMATION provides support wherever glass production needs to be automated. The Croatian engineering company develops control and electrical systems for industrial assets and now contributes its experiences from mining, automotive and process engineering to the glass industry.

Bnewable GmbH

Glass production takes a heavy toll on companies’ energy footprints. Bnewable intends to change this and brings smart battery storage systems to the industry with its Voltana platform, that allows companies to make their energy supply more flexible, low-cost and climate friendly.

“Glass producers are often hit especially hard by high energy costs.  At glasstec 2026 we look forward to talking to companies who want to turn precisely this into their competitive edge. In the Start-Up-Zone we will present a Battery-as-a-Service (BaaS) model: glass industry companies can reduce their energy costs with a battery storage system at their premises but only rent it on demand. This means, they bear neither the investment costs nor operational risks but benefit from the same savings.”

Philipp Graf, Managing Director
Bnewable

ClimAd Technology

ClimAd Technology, a spin-off from Eindhoven University of Technology, develops advanced functional films that make glass responsive to its environment. Its adaptive solar-control films automatically change their optical properties in response to sunlight, helping to reduce solar heat gain and excessive daylight while maintaining transparency and views — without electricity, sensors nor active control systems. In addition, ClimAd develops reflective design films that create dynamic, angle-dependent colour effects, opening up new possibilities for expressive and functional glass façades.

“glasstec 2026 is an important opportunity for us to show how adaptive glass can move from innovation to real-world application. We look forward to meeting glass manufacturers, façade specialists and industry partners who share our ambition to make buildings more comfortable and energy-efficient. At the Start-up Zone, visitors can experience our adaptive and reflective film technologies first-hand and explore with us how they can become part of the next generation of glass and façades."

Martijn van Gurp, Chief Commercial Officer
ClimAd Technology

Eule27 AG

Eule27 develops EulenStudio, a consistent software for the simulation, optimisation and process control of interference layers such as low-E-, thermal and anti-reflective coatings from the development “home stretch” to production. With its Edition Large Arena EulenStudio covers inline coating processes and uses complete insulation glass units (IGUs) as target values for optimisation. Closed loop is a widespread desire in the industry that many have failed to achieve so far. While coating service providers used to be dependent on such software tools as OptiLayer or CODE, EulenStudio now provides a more modern, consistent alternative with faster optimisation and interfaces which can be connected directly to existing coating and measuring systems.

“We hope that our participation will above all introduce as many coating providers as possible to EulenStudio and showcase the possibilities this software tool offers them for their daily production. In addition, we want to build partnerships with equipment manufacturers with a view to integrating EulenStudio as seamlessly as possible in our customers’ coating infrastructure.”

Sarina Bucher, CEO
Eule27AG

Fluidix Applied Materials

Fluidix Applied Materials manufactures water-based temporary protective coatings for float glass and annealed or heat-treatable coated glass. The washer-removable and burn-off materials protect glass, Low-E, and other thin-film coatings against abrasion and corrosion for up to 12 months and remove cleanly during fabrication.

“glasstec is where our industry comes together — old friends from all over the world, new contacts, and a first look at the technologies that are shaping what comes next. After more than twenty years of attending, largely as a coated glass fabricator, I’m looking forward to returning as an exhibitor. Visitors to the Fluidix stand in the Start-up Zone will see a complete portfolio of water-based temporary protective coatings designed for the entire glass supply chain, from float lines and coaters through fabrication and end use.”

Chris Hobbs, CEO
Fluidix Applied Materials

Lumeso FlexCo

Skip the manual data entry: LUMESO transforms emails, PDFs, Excel-spreadsheets and scanned drawings into clean ERP files by means of AI. This saves glass processors hours of manual work involved in thousands of possible product configurations, reduces errors and accelerates order entry. The Austrian start-up was recognised for this with the German Innovation Award not once but twice.

“The future of order entry isn’t sometime soon – it’s already here. At glasstec we will demonstrate live how LUMESO converts emails, PDFs and Word/Excel files into clear order data in seconds. More speed in the back office, faster response for customers. We look forward to meeting all those who want a fresh take on glass processing.”

Georg Katzlinger-Söllradl, CEO & Co-Founder
LUMESO

PRC Laser Technologies Group B.V.

One of the biggest challenges in façade design is glass that is invisible for birds. PRC Laser addresses this issue by introducing permanent surface and sub-surface laser markings on glass without removing material. Furthermore, the company offers solutions for coating removal and anti-fog laser structuring.

“One of the greatest challenges in façade design is glass that is invisible to birds. PRC Laser addresses this issue by permanently etching laser-based markings into the glass surface without removing any material. The company also offers solutions for LowE, ITO and STO coating removal, coating ablation and anti-fog texturing.”

Guy Bauwens, General Manager PRC Laser Europe N.V. & CEO
PRC Laser Technologies Group B.V.

SAB Sondermaschinen und Anlagen Bau GmbH

Where conventional recycling comes up against its limits, SAB builds systems that withstand up to 2,500 °C. With the international glass recycling industry in mind, the Austrian company has developed a patented system completely in house – from its initial concept to commissioning.

Sunphade AS

At Sunphade windows are centre stage: the solar control film developed by the Norwegian Institute for Energy Technology automatically darkens when exposed to sunlight and returns to a clear state in cloudy conditions. It reduces heat and glare by up to 66% without consuming any power – a property that has already convinced institutions such as the University of Oslo.

“I am the Director of R&D at Sunphade, with a strong interest in solar control ideas, glass/IGU advancements, and future-focused solutions at glasstec. I attended once before and still remember the innovations presented there. The venue was great, and I don’t expect anything less than my last experience at glasstec! At the Sunphade stand, visitors can expect a dynamic approach to solar control that keeps solar heat outside while maintaining comfort at the highest level.“

Elbruz Murat Baba, R&D Director 
Sunphade

University of Turku – OSSE Project

Today, Smart Glass is often a compound of many different materials. The research team at the University of Turku works towards simplifying this radically by developing a single, completely organic material system that combines several functions without the use of solvents.

Zurich Soft Robotics

For a long time, solar control and solar power were considered a contradiction in terms. The ETH-Zürich spin-off resolves this conundrum with Solskin, an adaptive photovoltaic façade system in front of glass surfaces which increases energy production by over 40% through AI-controlled solar tracking while markedly reducing the cooling energy demands of the building at the same time.

“We look forward to demonstrating how solar control and PV power generation can be combined in one single solution – for high energy efficiency and a unique, aesthetic architecture. Beyond this, we want to meet people who share our vision of high-performance, sustainable buildings and jointly explore potential projects. Visitors to the Start-Up Zone can find out more about our technology and experience our demonstrator live.”

Daria Marti, Head of Marketing
Zurich Soft Robotics