Glass

Vitrum 2025 (September 16–19) attracted many visitors to Milan/Rho, who gathered information about the latest machines, systems, and supplier products, as well as glass innovations, from over 200 exhibitors. The focus of the trade fair was on automation, energy efficiency, and sustainability. GW News editor Matthias Rehberger was also there to get a first-hand look at the most important trends for readers. Here is an overview of the highlights.

Matthias Rehberger from GW News was at the Vitrum 2025 in Milan to check out the latest innovations from the Italian trade fair. Click here to get exciting impressions

Kuraray's Advanced Interlayer Solutions (AIS) division has announced that its new CertiPly blockchain-based technology will offer even greater security to all users of its SentryGlas ionoplast interlayers, according to the manufacturer, as it provides complete traceability for laminate applications.

Fineo has become the first and only vacuum insulating glass with a third-party verified Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). Read here how the brand of AGC Glass Europe achieved the low value of 18.9 kg CO2 eq./m².

C.R. Laurence (CRL) recently opened a new branch in Denmark. The company is now supplying customers in Scandinavia and the Baltic states from its new warehouse location in Kolding, southern Denmark. Here are the details.

NSG Group has just announced that Pilkington Polska Sp. z o.o., a member of NSG Group, is planning to install an advanced architectural glass coating line at its facility in Sandomierz, Poland. Read all about what that means here.

With glasspex India and glasspro India, one of the world’s most dynamic glass markets is opening its doors to innovation, investment and networking. On 10 - 12 September 2025, the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai will become the meeting place for the international glass industry.

Fire protection is an essential part of building safety. However, high requirements and regionally varying specifications make implementation complex. With Schüco Fire Resist, fire and smoke protection requirements can now be met safely and in accordance with standards. Here you can find out what Schüco Fire Resist has to offer and we present a new fire door.

Volvo Cars' new innovation center in Torslanda near Gothenburg combines architectural design with climate-friendly construction. This also includes the facade glass from IGU manufacturer Glasgruppen, which is equipped with the Ködispace 4SG warm edge system from H.B. Fuller | Kömmerling.

Preserving historical structures while also meeting modern energy efficiency requirements calls for customized solutions. Fineo vacuum glass was used in the renovation of Wynendaele Castle in West Flanders – a technology that convincingly combines heritage preservation and craftsmanship.

At the end of June, members of the Isolar Group met in Chaves, Portugal, for the “Major Isolar Glass Conference 2025.” Host VitroChaves provided the ideal setting for professional exchange and exciting presentations. A highlight was the award ceremony for outstanding glass projects at this year's Isolar Object Competition.

With „sedak multicurved“, sedak presents a world-first: 3D-bent, heat-strengthened glass – without molds, without compromise. This new technology enables complex geometries and opens up maximum design freedom for the architecture of tomorrow.

Saint-Gobain has signed an agreement to divest Brüggemann to Germany’s Köster Group. For more on what this means, click here!

NorthGlass Coating BU has achieved a technological milestone with a new coating line for 24 m long glass. With this development, the supplier aims to meet the growing demand for large-format, high-performance facade glass in XXL format.

Companies across the entire glass value chain can now register for glasstec 2026. From October 20 to 23, 2026, providers from all over the global glass industry will once again meet at the trade fair in Düsseldorf. With its highly international pedigree, glasstec itself is the central platform. It also hosts a supporting program that showcases the future of the glass industry and facilitates knowledge transfer.

At the Glass Performance Days 2025 in Tampere, it became clear that innovation requires partnership. Miika Äppelqvist, Glaston’s new CEO, welcomed 500 international guests with a clear statement: “It’s good to work with friends.”

A research project involving the TU Dresden, Folienwerk Wolfen, Schott Glass and the German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy has just been presented at the Glass Performance Days in Finland: A thin laminated glass that combines defined strength with safe breakage characteristics. This marks a major leap forward in material innovation for facade design. See the details.

The US-based National Glass Association (NGA) recently published a paper titled "Overcoming Challenges of Circularity and Architectural Glass Recycling". This resource provides deeper insights into the North American glass recycling landscape. You can download it here for free! 

For the second year in a row, the National Glass Association, organizer of GlassBuild America: The Glass, Window & Door Expo, announced that high-profile building industry speaker and consultant Stefanie Couch, CEO of Grit Blueprint, will return as the GlassBuild Ambassador for the 2025 trade show, taking place Nov. 4-6 in Orlando, Florida.

From June 10 to 12, 2025, the Glass Performance Days (GPD) will take place in Tampere, Finland, the world's leading glass conference. Technical presentations, workshops, and the Step Change platform for innovation make it a must-attend event for anyone who wants to help shape the future of the glass industry. Click here to register.