The global glass industry received an early preview of what to expect from glasstec 2026 during a press conference held in Milan on 11 June. Organised by Honegger Gaspare Srl, the international trade show marketing network responsible for promoting Italian participation at Messe Düsseldorf events, the gathering brought together key stakeholders to discuss the themes and opportunities that will shape the next edition of the world-leading glass trade fair.

Scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from 20 to 23 October 2026, glasstec will occupy eight exhibition halls, reaffirming its position as the premier international platform for the entire glass value chain. Presenting the event, glasstec Director Daniel Feische highlighted its broad scope, covering production technologies, processing solutions, automation, advanced materials, architectural applications and industrial systems.

Among the major topics expected to dominate the exhibition are energy-efficient technologies and the growing role of artificial intelligence in glass manufacturing. AI is increasingly being adopted across the sector to optimise production processes, improve quality control, support predictive maintenance and enhance overall operational efficiency.

Innovation and research will remain central to the event through initiatives such as glass technology live, developed in partnership with the universities of Darmstadt, Delft, Dresden and Bochum. The showcase demonstrates glasstec’s commitment to connecting academic research with industrial applications and technological advancement.

Gesine Bergmann, Head of Forum Glass Technology at VDMA, emphasised the importance of knowledge sharing and professional exchange. The Forum Glass Technology will provide a dedicated platform for discussions on emerging technologies, process innovation and future industry trends.