I remember Glasstec-2014, Vitrum-2015 and China Glass-2016. At the end of 2024, I visited GlassBuild and Glasstec. The decade of changes! Huge changes!
Do you recall any discussions around laser and AI technologies, the circular economy, VIG or BIPV back then? Neither do I.
What about saying "good bye" to traditional old-school horizontal CNCs and waterjets? Yes, it is time for most cases.
Looking at all rapid changes, I understand that visiting major international trade shows is not optional – it is mandatory! You can’t miss the next turn in technology advancements.
This is why my next trade show is Vitrum25 from 16 to 19 September in Milan. In addition, Vitrum is always focused on glass processing technologies with all world-leading equipment producers.
Let's look at changes that are transforming the glass industry and shaping our future - this is where the new exciting opportunities emerge.
Strong driver for changes
Circular economy, sustainability, and zero embodied carbon might sound like buzzwords, but they’re powerful drivers of innovation and new business opportunities. From thin glass applications to VIG (vacuum-insulated glass) and IG2Pieces, these trends are reshaping the future of glazing.
Vacuum vs Air
Yes, the huge shift in glazing is already distinct - many facades will have a real vacuum inside. Market leaders like Vitro, Guardian, and Pilkington are championing VIG technology for its unmatched benefits: superior energy savings, record-high R-values, dramatic noise reduction, lighter weight, flexible design options, and the elimination of the pillowing effect.
Recycling of IGUs
It is time for a significant change - many old IGUs installed in previous decades don't meet modern requirements or already have flaws. On the other hand, new glazing solutions like VIG and new Low-E coatings are waiting for their turn. This creates a strong demand for IGU replacement and their proper recycling to reduce waste and environmental impact. Glasstec showcased the first solution for clean disassembly and recycling of IGUs - IG2Piece made by Hegla.
The brightest game-changer
Not in glass a decade ago, today lasers are critical for some new glass applications like bird-friendly glass with dots at the first surface, Low-E glazing with proper 5G connectivity and Low-E coated automotive glass. Still limited and expensive for other glass processing needs, laser solutions will definitely change our industry, especially with strong players like Hegla and LiSEC.
Automation
Higher efficiency requirements and labor shortage have been strong drivers for automation changes in the glass industry. Robots and automatic wheel wear compensation have made human-free glass polishing possible. Sealing robots made manual sealing tables and extruders obsolete. Similar changes have transformed many processes: glass sorting and storage, spacer application, loading/unloading, etc.
Shift from horizontal to vertical CNC glass processing
Both GlassBuild and Glasstec proved that the era of horizontal CNCs and waterjets is over! Vertical CNCs are leading due to high efficiency and speed with opposed spindles and zero setup time. Only fully shaped glass and large cutouts processing still favored old-school horizontal CNCs and waterjets. Innovations like D-Shaping and Den-Cut from Denver have erased the difference, leaving inefficient horizontal solutions behind.
Glass quality scanners
Higher requirements for glass products, need for automation, waste reduction are just some reasons that increased industry's need to use scanners for quality control of almost every glass product, whether it is tempered or laminated glass or IGU. This is why many machinery producers like Mappi, Glaston, LiSEC, Forel offer their equipment with inline quality scanners. Also, many new scanners have been developed by leading scanner producers like Viprotron, Softsolution and LiteSentry.
New functions of glass
With all Low-E and reflective coatings, the glass stopped being just a piece of transparent barrier a long time ago. However, today glazing offers much more. Generating electric power with BIPV? Or the opposite - using electric power for evenly distributed heating by Low-E coating? All is possible today! In addition, Smart Glass is not just about making glass opaque anymore - today, dynamic or switchable glass offers more functions: dynamic solar and heat gain control, sunlight and glare control, tinting, UV shielding, privacy or view control and many others.
Unexpected helper
We have been trying to tackle labor shortage for many years. Even though AI won't install the glass, it is the most powerful game-changer that can help humans in many business and manufacturing processes. The glass industry is implementing AI-driven safety and risk assessment systems, and software companies are incorporating AI into their products.
Next trade shows will reveal new changes and trends. See you at Vitrum 25 in Milan. As a visitor or exhibitor, the industry needs you.
AUTHOR
Val Voznyi
Voznyi is a glass processing technology expert and founder of GLASS PRO SOLUTIONs and glazingAI.com, the premier educational resource on AI technologies for glass and glazing. He has nearly 20 years of experience in glass processing solutions, both in North America and Europe.
