10 Insights from GlassBuild and Glasstec

After attending both GlassBuild and glasstec, I found that the glass industry is evolving at laser speed. Yes, lasers are literally involved too. Understanding key trends and identifying promising business opportunities is essential to staying ahead. And what’s the best way to do that? This question leads us to the takeaway #1. 

1. Attend trade shows and conferences!

Yes, they are a must if you would like to know about all industry changes and stay ahead of innovation. Large and versatile events like glasstec and Glassbuild or smaller ones like the NGA Glass Conference in Carlsbad, all provide valuable insights about the industry. They are back and full of exhibitors and visitors. Have some interesting products to offer? Take a booth and be one of the exhibitors!

2. Follow circularity trends!

Circularity, environmental impact, sustainability, zero embodied carbon - sounds too fancy? In fact, circularity is a strong driver for innovations and new business opportunities. Thin glass applications, VIG, IG2Pieces for IGU disassembly  - these are just some outcomes of circularity. Expect  more in the future!

3. VIG is the new IGU?

VIG is the strongest trend in glazing today, especially due to strong promotion from large players like Vitro, Guardian, Pilkington and others. VIG's high cost is outweighed by extraordinary benefits: incredible energy-saving with the highest R value, dramatic noise reduction, more flexible design options, a light weight, no pillowing effect, and more.  

4. IG2Pieces for unmaking IGUs

If you mastered making IGUs, it's time to learn the reverse process. Many IGUs installed in previous decades need to be replaced with new efficient glazing solutions. At glasstec, Hegla presented the first machine to separate glass from other components - IG2Pieces. Its name is self-explanatory, and its usefulness for the industry is unquestionable. 

5. A new laser era

Laser technology is still new, expensive and limited in glass processing. However, its future is definitely laser-bright with multiple startups and established leaders like LiSEC and Hegla involved. Moreover, lasers are essential for modern glass requirements such as allowing for 5G connectivity and first-surface dots for bird-friendly glass.

6. Main challenge: labor shortage

The labor shortage remains the main challenge for the glass industry. Solutions? More automation and robotics, more streamlining of manufacturing processes. Artificial Intelligence is another strong solution for many business and production tasks, but it still can’t glaze buildings, at least not yet. 

7. Do-it-all technology? 

Not yet! With vast potential and endless capabilities, Artificial Intelligence seems like it could replace us all. Our industry still needs a lot of labor work to be done by humans. But AI can help them in manufacturing and job sites with AI-powered production control solutions, risk and safety systems, and more.

8. Automation never stops!

If you fully automated your glass fabrication a couple years ago, GlassBuild and glasstec were great events to find new solutions and automate further. For example, previously    the automatic wheel adjustment became available for edgers - now, Lattuada has introduced the first beveler with this function. Automation is truly endless. 

9. Robotics never stops either!

Robotics as a part of the automation process showcased new robotic solutions for glass storage and sorting, edging, TPS application and sealing. Another interesting trend is streamlining - solutions that combine different processes for fast and seamless fabrication with minimal timing, handling, human intervention, and labor. 

10. Time to say goodbye to horizontal glass processing.

The dominance of vertical CNCs at GlassBuild and glasstec proved their popularity due to high efficiency and speed with dual spindles and no need for setup. Denver's innovations, including Den-Cut for large cutouts and D-Shaping for fully shaped glass, are taking two main advantages from horizontal CNCs and waterjets, leaving them as special cases.