PaneraTech will bring its “See Your Furnace Differently” campaign to glasstec 2026, October 20–23, at Düsseldorf. In Hall 15, Stand 15C63, the company will discuss how glass manufacturers can connect furnace condition data, engineering interpretation and operational action throughout a furnace campaign.
“The challenge is not simply collecting more information. It is building a dependable line from furnace condition to engineering interpretation to operational action,” said Yakup Bayram, CEO of PaneraTech.
Furnace management has long depended on experienced people interpreting the indicators available to them. That expertise remains essential. Repeatable measurements of refractory condition can give teams a stronger basis for applying it and for comparing changes over time.
PaneraTech’s SmartMelter® portable sensors measure residual refractory thickness non-invasively in applicable furnace areas. The resulting condition evidence can help teams assess whether an overcoat is necessary, focus a repair, review operating plans or identify areas that warrant closer monitoring.
“A single inspection is a snapshot. Furnace management is a continuing process,” Bayram added.
Condition changes over time, and its significance depends on furnace design, operating history, maintenance activity and production goals. PaneraTech’s Digital Furnace Management approach brings together inspection and monitoring information with engineering expertise and structured follow-through. Depending on the furnace and the customer’s needs, that may include SmartMelter® inspections, SmartAudit®, XSight® software and Polaris® continuous monitoring.
AI will be part of the industry conversation at glasstec. In furnace management, its usefulness depends on the quality of the underlying measurements, relevant historical context and the engineering framework used to interpret both. PaneraTech’s approach places AI-enabled support alongside experienced teams to help identify patterns, prioritise attention and make knowledge more accessible while people remain responsible for decisions.
That continuity also matters as furnace technologies and workforces change. Electric and hybrid designs, increased cullet use and evolving operating practices can alter the questions manufacturers need to ask about asset condition. Structured records can help teams observe those changes and preserve the knowledge behind past decisions.