Vitrum 2025, the international trade show dedicated to machinery, equipment and systems for flat and hollow glass, returns to Fiera Milano from September 16 to 19 with an edition that repositions the event, marking a significant evolution: from a trade fair to a systemic platform serving a sector in transformation. Innovation, sustainability, professional development and internationalisation will be the cornerstones of this dynamic edition, in line with the needs of industry professionals and ready to look ahead to anticipate technological trends and market strategies of Italian companies on a global scale.
As of today, 153 exhibitors are confirmed across two exhibition halls (Halls 9 and 11), with a growing international presence – more than 30 percent of exhibitors are from abroad – and 60 percent of GIMAV (Italian Association of Suppliers of Machinery and Accessories for Glass Processing) members participating. The presence of over 100 international top buyers from 13 countries, selected in collaboration with ITA (Italian Trade & Investment Agency), further bolsters the credentials of a show that is strengthening its identity, confidently positioning itself among the global events in the sector and looking to the future of the industry with determination and awareness.
“Vitrum 2025 aims to be a key tool to highlight the productive and innovative capabilities of the glass manufacturing industry: a convergence point where industry, research, institutions, training and innovation engage in ongoing dialogue to shape the future of the sector,” emphasised Lucia Masutti, General Manager of the event. “The presence of major manufacturers such as Saint-Gobain and Pilkington, processors like Glass Group, as well as the active participation of universities, research centres and startups, will make Vitrum 2025 the beating heart of a constantly evolving supply chain.”
A challenging goal in support of a sector that represents industrial excellence on a global scale. The first benchmark is the Italian industry of systems and technologies for glass processing, represented by GIMAV: a sector with a strong export focus (over 70 percent of production) and an estimated turnover of around EUR 3 billion in 2024. Italian companies in this segment successfully serve global markets, with the United States, Germany, Turkey and Saudi Arabia among the top destinations, and growing performance in North Africa and Latin America as well.
The second strategic pillar is the Italian glass manufacturing market, which, according to Assovetro data, has reached a leading position in Europe, surpassing Germany. The sector, based on data from Assovetro members, is valued at EUR 3.2 billion and employs 16,526 people, marking a 3 percent increase over the previous year. A sector that, despite global uncertainty, has shown resilience and a capacity for recovery, contributing significantly to the competitiveness of Made in Italy.
A new concept: specialisation meets internationalisation
Vitrum 2025 is built on a completely renewed concept, integrating exhibition, training, innovation and internationalisation. The goal is to represent the entire value chain of glass manufacturing, strengthening the connection between technology and equipment manufacturers, processors, research centres and universities, and both national and international institutions.
To align the offering with the real needs of the industry, the 2025 edition will feature active contributions from key stakeholders in the sector, including Assovetro, Glass Group, Pilkington, Saint-Gobain and the Stazione Sperimentale del Vetro.
In addition, alongside the consolidation of the flat glass sector, Vitrum 2025 confirms its commitment to the hollow glass segment as well. The program includes dedicated content, specialised training sessions, and targeted networking activities aimed at fully integrating this crucial part of the supply chain.
Focus on training for supply chain growth
The days of Vitrum 2025 will feature a comprehensive schedule of meetings, workshops, and deep-dives, organized by thematic area and designed to provide practical tools for growth and development. Events will focus on key topics for the sector’s advancement: technical training, ecological and regulatory transition, innovation and digitalisation and internationalisation.
To support technical training within the industry, introductory courses on flat and hollow glass technologies will be held, promoted by the Stazione Sperimentale del Vetro, along with industrial masterclasses on screen printing and on tempering and lamination.
The ecological and regulatory transition – critical for the sector’s development – will be the focus of several key sessions. One of the central moments of the exhibition will be the conference on the decarbonisation of the glass industry, with participation from experts, institutions, and companies. Also planned is a training session on CAM for construction and on energy diagnostics within the glass supply chain.
Like many other industrial sectors, glass manufacturing is poised for major transformation through technological and digital innovation. A series of seminars, with input from Politecnico di Milano and cutting-edge startups and tech companies, will explore the potential and practical applications of artificial intelligence in manufacturing, automation, augmented reality and digitalisation.
To foster internationalisation opportunities, special in-depth sessions will be organised in collaboration with ITA-Italian Trade & Investment Agency, on key export markets for Italian industry, focusing on Morocco, Turkey, Saudi Arabia and India. International buyers in attendance will also have access to one-on-one meetings with exhibitors through a dedicated business agenda.
Finally, there will be high-level discussions on strategic vision and the international growth potential of the Italian market, with contributions from GIMAV, Assovetro, MASE and ITA-Italian Trade & Investment Agency.
The appointment with Vitrum 2025 is at Fiera Milano from September 16 to 19.