In the last glasstec – International Trade Fair, which took place in Düsseldorf from October 22nd till October 25th 2024, we, the Glass Competence Center – GCC with Hans Ignacio Scholz and Ulrich Knaack in the lead, were thrilled to coordinate, organize and proudly present, in collaboration with TU Delft, TU Dresden, and HS Bochum, the special exhibition glass technology live (gtl).
The exhibit featured 43 mock-ups from 42 exhibitors across the glass industry and research institutions. These exhibits primarily focused on innovations in the key trend areas of Circular Economy, Decarbonization, and Digitalization—offering a glimpse into the future of architectural glass.
A heartfelt thanks to Lars Wismer and the Messe Düsseldorf team for entrusting us to deliver this significant exhibition. Special appreciation goes to Jutta Albus and Julia Stratmann for their dedicated collaboration on the architectural concept for gtl and their invaluable coordination support. As to Michael Engelmann, Christian Louter, Mauro Overend, Matthias Seel and Ulrich Knaack for their unique and engaging contributions to the unconventional but inspiring Glass Melting Pot conference.
See you in the next Glasstec 2026 from October 20th till October 23rd in Düsseldorf!
The GCC team used the Glass Performance Days (GPD) in Tampere/Finland once again to exchange ideas with the glass industry. GPD brings together the entire glass industry, from researchers to architects, designers, glass producers, processors, equipment providers and end users.
The GCC contributed to this exchange with six scientific presentations and a workshop on thermal stress analysis of insulating glass units and vacuum insulating glass in facades. The researchers of the GCC informed about the following topics:
- Investigation of the joining area of additive manufactured glass structures on float glass – Philipp Amir Chhadeh (picture)
- Quantification of the linear viscoelastic behavior of multilayer interlayers – Dr.-Ing. Miriam Schuster (Director GCC)
- Edge strength of annealed float glass: Identification and optimisation of cutting process parameters – Dr.-Ing. Matthias Seel (Director GCC)
- Effects of wind loads on the mechanical performance of vacuum glazing and its influence on the VIG design parameters – Isabell Schulz
- Thermal loads on Vacuum Insulated Glazing (VIG)-Hybrids – Experimental and numerical Investigation – Franz Paschke
- Appearance, properties and prevalence of small glass inclusions – Timon Peters
Our team of 9 GCC professionals from professors to students was excited to discuss answers to the global challenges we face and to further expand our strong network.
On Wednesday, September 7, 2022, the research building of the Glass Competence Center in Darmstadt was officially opened.
In the future, flat glass can be cut, grinded, drilled, washed, and processed into laminated safety glass at the GCC. In addition, the GCC has an adhesive laboratory, an optical laboratory, and a melting laboratory with an in-house developed glass 3D printer, as well as outdoor weathering areas and a facade test rig. As a result, the GCC is the only research center in the world where all flat glass processing steps can be performed..
We are pleased to be able to contribute to a better future with this great facility for research and education.
Facts and figures about the building:
- Construction period: January 2020 – July 2022
- Area: around 520 square meters of usable space
- Dimensions: 30 meters x 15.80 meters
- Floors: North area three-story (laboratories and technology) and test area on roof, hall area one-story with gallery in the south
- Total costs: around 4.3 million euros
- Architects: Dietz Joppien Planungsgesellschaft mbH, Frankfurt am Main
