Vitrum 2027, the Milan-based glass industry exhibition, will expand its exhibition space, partner with Italian Exhibition Group and launch new initiatives targeting aerospace and hollow glass.
The next edition will also run alongside Made Expo, bringing together the glass and construction industries to create new business opportunities for exhibitors and visitors.
The 2027 exhibition will center on what organizers call the “Glass Economy,” the ecosystem of machinery, products, expertise and end-use industries built around glass. Organizers said the event aims to identify where the next wave of glass demand will come from and which technologies will be needed to meet it.
The partnership with IEG is intended to increase exhibitor participation, expand exhibition space and strengthen the event’s international reach. IEG’s trade fair experience and industry network will complement the glass industry knowledge and relationships of Vitrum and GIMAV, the Italian association of glass machinery and accessories suppliers. The larger show floor will be paired with expanded content and networking programs.
The Glass Economy initiative will begin with Glass4Space, a project exploring the role of glass in the aerospace industry and opportunities for cross-industry collaboration in materials, manufacturing and technology.
A second initiative, Formae, will create a dedicated space for the hollow glass and glass packaging sector, covering machinery, processes and products ranging from bottles and vials to containers and tableware. The area will address challenges including energy efficiency, productivity, quality, automation and product innovation. According to FEVE’s 2025 annual report, European production of food and beverage glass containers grew 2% to 73.3 billion units. The glass packaging ecosystem generates more than 140 billion euros in added value across the European Union and supports more than 850,000 jobs.
Organizers aim to attract at least 150 international buyers through an incoming buyer program. Country presentations at the show will offer insight into emerging markets, local demand, investment prospects and market entry opportunities.
“With Vitrum 2027, we want to give companies concrete reasons to participate: qualified business contacts, access to international markets and opportunities to engage with industries capable of generating new demand,” said Barbara Antonini, president of Vitrum.
Vitrum has connected glass technologies with global markets for more than 40 years.
