Despite a slight drop in visitor numbers compared to the 2014 event, this year’s glasstec welcomed visitors from an increased number of countries, confirming its reputation as the international meeting place for all facets of the global glass industry.

1,235 exhibitors from 52 countries had the opportunity to meet with 40,200 visitors from over 100 countries, from the areas of mechanical engineering, glass production, processing and finishing, skilled crafts, architecture and construction, as well as window and façade and solar systems.

The four day event included forums and conferences that catered to the above mentioned sectors of the industry, such as the glass technology live show which included presentations from Praxair, Nikolaus Sorg, Heye International and Grenzebach to name a few, on topics that broadly encompassed the themes of melting and forming, and Industry 4.0.

The other conferences, (Function meets Glass, Engineered Transparency and the International Architecture Congress), discussed a variety of highly topical subjects and internationally renowned speakers.

At the conclusion of the fair exhibitors have reported satisfactory business deals and promising leads and contacts, which is reflected in the fact that over 40% of visitors said they attended glasstec 2016 with concrete intentions to invest.

Dr. Bernd-Holger Zippe, Chairman of the Board of VDMA's Glass Technology Forum and Chairman of the glasstec Advisory Board, said of the show:

“Without doubt, glasstec is and will remain the most important trade fair for glass machinery and plant building.

“This has been confirmed once again this year by the high percentage and quality of international visitors.

“This position now has to be built upon. A challenge we have to meet together with our partners from the glass industry, the glazier trades and Messe Düsseldorf.”

The next glasstec will take place from 23rd to 26th October 2018 in Düsseldorf.