Our partners
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 Quality Association for PVC Window Profile Systems has reorganized its management team. Christian Fischer from Schüco is taking over as Chairman of the Board, succeeding Michael Stöger from Rehau, who has held the position for many years.
The software start-up Lumeso has won two German Innovation Awards: one in the “Excellence in B2B” category and one in the “Transformative Solutions” category. Its AI-based software automates manual processes, particularly in order data entry. Here are the details.
On May 7 and 8, 2025, the flat glass industry met for its traditional Glass Congress in Dresden. Organized jointly by the German Flat Glass Association (BF) and the Flat Glass Quality Association (GGF), this year's congress once again offered around 160 participants a platform for intensive discussions, exciting presentations, and personal exchanges. The atmosphere was relaxed.
The topic of thin glass especially for new applications in architecture attracted a great deal of interest among trade visitors at the past glasstec and its special show “glass technology live”. On behalf of glasstec the author asked research and industry about the current state of the art, what its limits are and which applications can already be expected by the end of the year: Daniel Pfarr (TU Dresden), Peter Nischwitz (Glaston) and Bernhard Hötger (Hegla) answered.
European manufacturers eyeing the US market can gain valuable insights into NFRC certification and energy efficiency standards at a free online seminar hosted by ift Rosenheim and the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) on July 1, 2025.
On 29 April 2025, the Statistics & Market symposium took place in cooperation with the German Flat Glass Association (BF) and the Window + Facade Association (VFF). After two difficult years, the general consensus at the event was that a tentative turnaround is on the horizon for the glass and window industry. Nevertheless, the industry had to cope with noticeable declines last year, but there is a silver lining at the horizon. Having said that, glass could now become scarce.
The Velbert Institute for Locks and Hardware (PIV) testing institute has expanded its team: Jamal Boumouchoun (52) joined the certification body as an auditor at the beginning of April. The experienced quality expert brings with him in-depth knowledge gained from 27 years at car manufacturer Ford and other positions, and will be responsible for monitoring certified customers in future.
The safety and performance characteristics of building products have to be guaranteed. This also applies to window and facade elements. However, it is not always possible to put these usually large objects through their paces to meet the applicable standards. In Germany, there are only a few window and facade test stands in institutes that are authorised to carry out the tests in accordance with the regulations.
With its spectacular architecture, the luxury hotel ‘Koenigshof, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Munich’, designed by the Spanish architectural firm Nieto Sobejano, provides an exciting counterpoint to the historic buildings on Munich's Stachus. The architects chose highly selective functional glass from Saint-Gobain for the glazing of the five-star hotel.
The amended Construction Products Regulation (EU CPR), which came into force on 7 January 2025, will bring far-reaching changes to the European construction sector, which will also have an impact on fire protection. ‘Fire protection3’ is the motto for this year's ift Fire Safety Conference on 4 and 5 June in Nuremberg, Germany. Here is what to expect as well as some programme highlights.
The German Institute for Building Technology (DIBt) recently granted general type approval (aBG) for Fineo vacuum insulating glass (VIG). Here are the details.
Two German major players in the building envelope sector are joining forces: heroal and Solarlux are launching a strategic partnership that offers building owners and specialised companies real added value. The starting signal was given at BAU in Munich - with exciting prospects.
Glass facades are an integral part of modern architecture, but often pose a danger to birds as they do not recognise reflective or transparent glass surfaces as an obstacle. To minimise this risk, the glass facade of the Futurium in Berlin was fitted with bird protection glass. Find out here which product was used.
The curved glass facade of the new Wera-Welle in Wuppertal is an eye-catcher. With individually manufactured, curved glass panes from Arnold Glas, the building demonstrates technical excellence. The Solarlux D40 insulating glass units installed combine optimum thermal insulation and sun shading with aesthetics. The project was realised by Arnold Glas and the Isolar network.
Effective as of 1 January 2025, AGC Interpane (a 100% affiliate of AGC Glass Europe) expands its activities through the acquisition of one of Europe´s largest manufacturers of safety glass, Sicherheitsglastechnik Oelsnitz GmbH (SGT), as well as the Verwaltungsgesellschaft Schuler & Weiß OHG and its subsidiary SG Transport GmbH in Germany.
Fraunhofer ISE and Fraunhofer UMSICHT have developed a prefabricated facade element with integrated photovoltaics that combines power generation, weather protection and thermal insulation. The elimination of an additional substructure for the solar modules saves large amounts of material.
The Mizral building at the entrance to Düsseldorf's Media Harbour, designed by Eller + Eller Architekten, sets standards in terms of functionality and safety. State-of-the-art fire protection technologies with glass are used here, making the building a model of safety.
At the British Blind & Shutter Show, the UK trade fair for sun shading solutions in Coventry, from 27 to 29 October 2024, the UK team from German manufacturer Weinor presented a selection of its high-quality sun and weather protection solutions to an interested trade audience. The 63 m² stand attracted a lot of attention from existing and new customers.
Planning for glasstec 2024 is well underway, with Director Lars Wismer sharing insights into the event’s key highlights, networking opportunities, emerging trends and innovations.
At this year's glasstec in Düsseldorf, Lisec will be presenting solutions including unloading systems based on robotics. In this interview, Sebastian Payrleitner, Head of Product Management Logistics at Lisec, discusses developments in the field of logistics and reveals more about the robot solution that visitors to glasstec can expect to see.
The newly launched Semco Kids Day took place on 9 August. A second Kids Day will follow in September. These action days are primarily intended to draw attention to children who need special encouragement or support due to their background as well as physical or mental impairments.
IFTS, part of Vetrotech Saint-Gobain, is a fire resistance laboratory that carries out tests in accordance with all current European and international test standards for building and marine applications. With the new 4 by 4 metre test furnace and a high-tech test environment, 90% of all tests and type tests can be carried out at IFTS.
Situated on the banks of the river, the European Forum on the Rhine exemplifies the strength of cross-border cooperation and cultural exchange. Designed by the Grossmann Group, this multifunctional building serves as a vibrant hub for a variety of activities, promoting unity between France and Germany.
glasstec is the most relevant trade fair of the glass industry. Every two years, exhibitors, visitors, experts and media from around the world meet at glasstec. Here is what is waiting for exhibitors this year.
