Glasstec 2008 preview

Every two years, Glasstec – the world’s largest trade fair for the international glass sector – provides an indispensable overview of all the latest solutions and trends in the glass industry, glass mechanical engineering sector and the glazers’ skilled trade. This year 19th edition will be held from 21 to 25 October 2008 in Düsseldorf.

The main focus of the leading international fair is on energy-efficient glass products and applications, the latest finishing and processing technologies, solar energy products as well as innovations connected with the technical glazing sector.

In this year event will showcase over 1,300 exhibitors on an area of more than 730,000 square feet making the trade show larger than ever. It is expected to attract more 50,000 trade professionals from around the world. Project Director Marianne Ingenhoven is delighted with the figures: "We are extremely satisfied with the great demand. We are receiving new enquiries from companies around the world every single day." In particular, interest from international glass producers increased compared to the previous event in 2006.

Exhibit categories at Glasstec 2008 will include glass manufacturing and production technology, glass processing and finishing, tools and replacement parts as well as process control technology, glass applications in the construction industry, solar energy, electronic display glass and laser technologies. Special presentations, symposia and the Architects Congress will complement the exhibits.

In Hall 9, craftsman-type finishers and processors of glass will present their practical applications of this material; from the finishing of flat and hollow glass to the construction of glass furniture and the use of glass as a lifestyle product in modern architecture. In Halls 10 and 11, firms representing the glass industry and glass production will showcase their new developments such as anti-microbial glass and titanium coatings. The largest exhibition category at Glasstec 2008 will be glass machinery and equipment manufacturing in Halls 12 - 17.