Glasstec 2006 – the glass technology trade fair to be held at Düsseldorf, Germany, in October (24 to 28) – is expecting an increase in participation from manufacturers in the Middle East.

Dr. Bernd Holger Zippe, acting chairman of the German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers’ Association (VDMA) Forum Glass Technology, announced that the UAE are among the key markets on which the organisers are focusing. “The UAE is amongst Germany’s most important Arab trading partners. One example to prove this is the German export of construction and construction material machinery, which also includes glass systems. Between 2000 and 2005, exports of construction material machinery to the Arabic Peninsula have more than quadrupled”, he added.
“The fact that the Messe Düsseldorf exhibitions are of considerable value to the UAE is apparent from the growing number of UAE-based companies who plan to exhibit in Düsseldorf,” said Bassel Amaneddine from Messe Düsseldorf.
Supported by the VDMA, Federal Association of the Glass Industry (BVGlas) and the Federal Guild Association of the Glazier Trade (BIV), this year’s Glasstec will cover 60,000 sq m in halls 9 to 17 at the Düsseldorf exhibition grounds. “We are expecting more than 1,000 participants (exhibitors, co-exhibitors and research institutes) from over 40 countries showing the entire range of products and applications in the glass industry, be it systems engineering, trade or the supply business,” said Marianne Ingenhoven Glasstec 2006’s project director.