Intelligence
INTELLIGENCE: AI begins to transform glass sector beyond major flat Glass producers
The glass industry is at a pivotal moment, with Artificial Intelligence increasingly shaping its future. While major flat glass producers have already embraced AI to optimise production, reduce emissions, and boost competitiveness, the adoption within glass processing and the glazier trade has been more nascent. However, a closer look reveals that AI is beginning to trickle down, offering tangible benefits even for smaller outfits.
For over two decades, Marc Everling, a communications and marketing specialist within the glass sector, has keenly observed these shifts. Tasked by glasstec, the world-leading trade fair for the industry, Everling delved into the relevance of AI for glass processors and glaziers, finding a promising landscape of nascent applications. While machine technology and manufacturing processes have seen intensive AI-driven development, the administrative side, despite its vast potential, has lagged.
In industrial flat glass production, AI’s presence is already well-established. Machine producers are integrating AI into automation platforms for dynamic adaptation of production flows, employing adaptive process control and material flow optimisation. AI-assisted image processing is now standard for high-precision defect detection and dimension control. Furthermore, digital twins, powered by AI, are being utilised for predictive maintenance and intelligent control of sizing and warehousing processes.
The glazier trade and smaller glass processing firms, by contrast, appear to be adopting AI less systematically. Nevertheless, initial practical applications are emerging. Karsten Sommer of the Hamburg Glaziers’ Guild notes a growing curiosity within the sector: “Many outfits are starting to look at this topic. This is especially easy to achieve when AI becomes part of the systems already used such as AI-based office and communication tools like Microsoft Copilot, Google Workspace AI or ChatGPT. These can easily help with text-based proposal, calculations or appointment organisation.” Beyond textual assistance, imaging AI tools such as Canva AI, Midjourney, or DALL·E 3 are proving invaluable for visualising workpieces, products, or construction plans. These tools can provide initial impressions and inspiration, significantly reducing the need for days of high-performance computer rendering, at least for initial designs.
One particularly impactful concrete application is in order entry. This process, often complex and manual outside of traditional electronic data interchange systems, consumes significant time due to data transfer, queries, and error corrections. Few enquiries are initially complete or precisely formulated, and the sheer variety of configurations offered by glass producers—up to ten thousand for IGUs—compounds the challenge.
Georg Katzlinger-Söllradl, CEO and co-founder of the start-up “Lumeso,” introduced his AI solutions at glasstec 2024, demonstrating how AI can noticeably simplify order data entry. “Our software analyses incoming e-mails, automatically identifies all relevant order data and compiles them in a structured manner,” Katzlinger-Söllradl explained. “Missing data is completed automatically by smart queries. After release by the case handler, the data is transferred directly to the order data capturing system via an interface.” He emphasised that this solution was only made possible by the availability of high-performance AI systems. “AI in administration markedly increases the speed of order data capture, significantly reduces errors and considerably minimises the throughput time from order entry to confirmation.”
Beyond the attractive efficiency gains, Lumeso’s solution resonated deeply with customers struggling with a shortage of relevant staff, or even the inability to find personnel to manage existing processes. Katzlinger-Söllradl concluded, “We soon realised we can also help combat skilled labour shortages with our AI. Experienced employees can reduce their workload and focus on control and decision-making tasks while younger staff can be drawn into the exciting flat glass working environment by modern, attractive AI solutions.”
The current state of AI in the glass industry offers considerable hope. The increasing availability of modular AI tools and the development of hands-on, sector-specific solutions promise to enhance efficiency, foster positive developments in daily operations, and concurrently make employers more attractive. As the industry looks ahead, AI & Digital Technologies are set to be “Hot Topics” at glasstec 2026, alongside circularity and decarbonisation, signalling a future where intelligence and innovation illuminate the path forward for glass.
Why this matters: The fenestration and glazing sectors are advanced in many way, but also playing catch-up so many others. AI is here for the long-term and proactive and forward thinking businesses are engaging in AI to protect their futures. The reluctance to engage can be blamed on many factors – age, understanding, laziness – no one really knows. However, its important these are all put to one side as ALL business leaders need to switch-on to AI now – or risk being left behind. You can bet your bottom dollar your competition is ahead of the game..
