glasstec 2008 - ‘Glass & Energy’

Modern glass products offer a great deal of potential for the reduction of the climate-damaging greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO2). The latest developments in the area of energy-efficient building glazing and solar technology will be presented at glasstec 2008 in Düsseldorf.

The theme of climate protection has never been as topical as it is today. All over the world, exceptional natural events are being attributed to the earth's changing climate, and the demands for a clear reduction in CO2 emissions are becoming louder and more emphatic. In order to achieve this aim, the burning of fossil fuels must be reduced through energy savings coupled with the production of more regenerative energy. In both areas glass is assuming a significant role.

In recent years the glass-producing and finishing companies in the international glass industry have been consistently working on the development of innovative products in both market sectors. As far as thermal insulation glass is concerned, the industry has already been operating at the upper limits of the physical possible with glass structures so far. Compared to previous glass generations, extremely high-performance glass coatings in facades and windows ensure that buildings now lose only a fraction of energy. New glass structures and installation technologies are also enabling the use of extremely large glass units which produce solar energy benefits and still reduce the costs of energy-eating air-conditioning systems. High-transparency glass used in photo-voltaic solar thermal installations ensures that the sun's rays have full, unrestricted access to the protected PV modules allowing them to function efficiently over many years.

glasstec offers a glass future
In view of the increasing significance of glass products in the area of energy-efficient construction, glasstec 2008, the world's largest trade fair for the glass industry, will this year be held under the ‘Glass and Energy’ motto. From 21st – 25th October in the Düsseldorf exhibition halls visitors will be able to not only take a look at the latest glass products and applications but also the corresponding manufacturing, processing and finishing technologies along with the entire spectrum of the industry suppliers' products. The Special ‘glass technology live’ Show will also be held under the event's ‘glass & energy’ motto. In relation to the selection of exhibits, the Special Show and supporting technical symposium will once again extend well beyond the limits of what is currently possible with glass. For Prof. Stefan Behling, who along with his staff from the Institute of Building Construction at the University of Stuttgart is once again organising this year's exhibition, presenting the status quo is not enough. At the previous events he has also always opened up highly interesting perspectives on the future of glass, and as a result, in addition to the specialists from the glass sector, has also attracted numerous architects from all over the world.

From the basic product to application
glasstec will show the top innovations from the entire international glass sector. Particularly in the booming sectors of energy-efficient glass products for building shells and solar technology, well-founded knowledge of the latest technologies is absolutely indispensable in order to hold one's own on the fiercely contested market. Anyone involved with glass who wants to be up to date, will find the latest, state-of-the-art products and developments in Düsseldorf. glasstec shows which glass products will be able to improve the energy efficiency of windows and facades even further in future and how the latest generation of photo-voltaic modules can be integrated in facades in an aesthetically attractive and functional way. In this connection the great internationality and unrivalled product and theme spectrum at the leading glass trade fair guarantee a comprehensive presentation of the future of glass for the trade visitors over the five days of the fair.

You can find further information on glasstec 2008 at http://www.glasstec.de.