The last time Glasstec opened its doors was in 2022, so the exhibition is looking forward to be back – and at full strength – from 22-25 October 2024. Glass Times editor, Luke Wood, talks to Lars Wismer, director at Glasstec, about what visitors can expect.
Glass Times (GT): Lars, briefly, what is so special about Glasstec and why should anyone thinking about visiting, make the trip to Dusseldorf this October?
Lars Wismer (LW): Quite simply, it is the world’s largest trade exhibition for the glass industry. We will welcome over 1,000 exhibitors from 51 countries, and that means visitors can experience the latest products and services from all over the globe, covering glass production, processing and finishing technologies, glass products and applications.
It presents the opportunity to learn, to exchange new ideas, but also to discover the latest innovations and technology, in order to better understand the direction of the industry in the future.
GT: Are there any particular themes for 2024?
LW: Digital innovation, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) will be a major theme, as will de-carbonisation and the introduction of technology that will help promote greener products and processes.
The growth of AI and its integration in glass production present massive opportunities for the industry, introducing much greater efficiencies and quality control into flat glass production lines.
In many cases, the raw data for operating more efficiently is already there, but with AI it can now be fully utlised and production can be fine tuned, with estimates that manufacturers could save somewhere in the region of 300 tonnes of glass a year, per line.
GT: Can you tell us more about initiatives at the show that will focus on de-carbonisation?
LW: The glass industry is very energy intensive currently, but we are starting to see glass manufacturers introduce new, low carbon glass and that’s important when you consider the high volume of glass in large projects and how it has the potential to lower their carbon footprint.
The circular economy will be a major theme at Glasstec 2024, and how we can reduce energy and resource consumption while increasing recycling opportunities along the supply chain.
CircuClarity One is a major initiative that will be introduced at the show, and this will focus on processes, products and methods that can all work together as part of circular economy, and – crucially – include data that can be shared across the industry.
We want to present practical solutions, but also recognise products and processes that have exemplary environmental properties, which we will be doing with the CircuClarity awards.
GT: Will there be any other new topics at Glasstec – and any particular innovations to look out for?
LW: It’s important to look at new features for every show, so for this year we have introduced an architectural forum, for example, workshops on glass crafts and also a ‘glass melting pot’ forum that will bring together industry and research specialists.
The aim is to discuss current products and processes but also to generate new ideas for the future.
And innovation is always a strong theme at Glasstec. The Glass Technology Live platform is considered a highlight for anyone interested in future glass applications and will feature a glass pavilion of curved and laminated thin glass, as well as windows that can transform into monitors.
Other future technologies that will no doubt be of great interest, but which are still very much at the start of their R&D phase, include a 3D glass printer and solar panels that can be incorporated into glass facades.
These are just a few examples of what to expect at Glasstec. There’s no other event in the world that can deliver such a comprehensive spectrum of product, innovation, technology, learning and networking opportunities.
