A special highlight at glasstec 2026 will once again be Glass Technology Live in Hall 11. When the international glass industry gathers in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 20–23, GTL will showcase current developments from research and industry, along with their potential impact on future architectural and construction projects.
Glass increasingly plays a structural and functional role in modern building envelopes, beyond transparency and design, influencing daylight, indoor climate and energy performance. Glass is also gaining importance as a reusable building component. Glass technology live will present research and development work that expands the material's technical and structural possibilities, spanning new construction principles, technological processes, functional glass and façade solutions, and reuse and circular construction.
Among the exhibits will be "Réflexions," a sculptural structure made of prismatic glass elements created by Atelier Emmanuel Barrois in collaboration with Bollinger+Grohmann. The traveling installation, which appears in different configurations at each stop, will be on display at glasstec in Düsseldorf. It combines design with structural engineering while examining how recycled glass can be used in architecture and art.
"For me, glass technology live is one of the places at glasstec where the close connection between research and industrial practice becomes particularly tangible. Here, our visitors do not just see ideas or concepts, but real exhibits and prototypes, and they can talk directly to the people working on these developments," says Daniel Feische, director glasstec, Messe Düsseldorf.
Guided tours available
Visitors can explore glass technology live through guided tours offered in German and English. Experts will present selected exhibits, explain the concepts behind them, and be available for direct professional exchange.
