glasstec 2026 concluded on 23 October, bringing together the international glass industry for four days of technology showcases, technical discussions and business networking at Messe Düsseldorf. With more than 1,150 exhibitors from 48 countries, the event provided a broad overview of developments across glass manufacturing, processing, finishing and architectural applications.
Three Topics Shaping the Future of Glass
This year’s exhibition placed AI and Digital Technologies, Decarbonisation, and the Circular Economy at the centre of industry discussions.
Artificial intelligence, automation and connected machinery highlighted opportunities to improve production efficiency, quality control and data exchange. Decarbonisation remained a major priority, with technologies and strategies aimed at reducing emissions and energy consumption. Meanwhile, circular economy initiatives explored recycling, reuse and remanufacturing as ways to improve resource efficiency and extend the service life of glass products.
Beyond the Exhibition Floor
The supporting programme added further depth to the event. The GIMAV Roundtable addressed challenges surrounding the new Machinery Regulation, including AI, cybersecurity and liability. GlassPrint LIVE presented developments in digital and screen printing on glass, while the Connected Machines special area demonstrated approaches to interoperability and data exchange in production. 
The CircuClarity Two conference examined the practical implementation of circular economy principles, while the women in glass initiative created opportunities for professional discussion and networking across the sector.
A Global Platform for the Glass Industry
Throughout the four-day exhibition, glasstec brought together companies and professionals to exchange expertise, explore new solutions and build business connections across international markets. Its combination of machinery, materials, research and architectural applications demonstrated how closely technological innovation and industry collaboration are linked.
For the global glass sector, the event offered an opportunity to assess current priorities and explore the technologies expected to influence manufacturing, processing and the use of glass in the years ahead.
GlassBalkan followed glasstec 2026 from Düsseldorf, covering participating companies, live machinery demonstrations and developments across the industry, with a focus on innovations and business opportunities relevant to the Balkan glass, aluminium and façade markets.
Source: Glass Balkan
