#01Press Release

THE GLASS INDUSTRY MEETS AT VITRUM25.
EXCELLENT PROSPECTS FOR THE SECTOR, WITH PRODUCTION EXPECTED TO
DOUBLE BY 2050 THANKS TO THE GREEN EUROPEAN DIRECTIVE- The Italian sector is second in Europe with a turnover of 125 billion and almost 40,000 employees;- To date, more than 5,000 sqm of exhibition space has already been confirmed for VITRUM: theevent will be the focal point of innovation for the sector;- Building as Green as Glass: sustainability takes centre stage with a dedicated educational initiativefor producers.

Milan, 17 September 2024 – At the heart of the glass industry, a flagship sector of the Italian and globalindustry: today, the 24th edition of VITRUM, the international exhibition dedicated to the glass industry,promoted by GIMAV – an association affiliated with CONFINDUSTRIA that brings together Italian
suppliers of machines, accessories, equipment, and special products for glass processing – waspresented. The event will be held from 16 to 19 September 2025 at Fiera Milano (Rho), reaffirming its
role as a leading platform for the development of the industry through international events.
With the claim At the Heart of Glass, VITRUM25 positions itself as the beating heart of the sector,offering a unique opportunity for companies and industry operators to gather in a context rich ininnovation, synergies, and growth opportunities.
New features in the layout and content will characterise the event, favouring business opportunities for all
stakeholders.
THE OUTLOOK: A HIGHLY DYNAMIC SECTOR
As highlighted by data from Assovetro and GIMAV, the sector is extremely dynamic in Italy, positioning
itself as the second largest manufacturer in Europe with a turnover of 96 billion euros, to which anadditional 3 billion from the machinery and technology industry for glass production is added.
The sector employs 28,800 highly specialised workers, with an additional 9,000 in the technology
segment: a supply chain that, overall, generates over 12.5 billion euros in revenue and employs
nearly 40,000 highly specialised workers, with a strong retention rate.
Among the main areas of application for the sector is construction, which generates over 1 billion
euros in revenue across the entire supply chain and is expected to see significant growth in thenear future. With the goal of reaching zero emissions by 2050 set by the Energy Performance of Building
Directive, construction faces a crucial challenge that will impact the glass market, requiring a doubling

of glass production for construction and an increase in resources estimated at 7,000 additional
employees. Glass will therefore play a key role in the ecological transition of construction andcontribute to creating new job opportunities.
The industrial sector of machinery and technologies for glass production and processing
consolidated its growth in 2023, with a turnover approaching 3 billion euros, confirming its role as asymbol of excellence in Made in Italy, demonstrated by its international market penetration, with exports
accounting for two-thirds of total turnover.
OVER 50 COMPANIES READY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE EVENT
Sales, which opened on 1 September, have exceeded 5,000 sqm, confirming that companies choosing
to exhibit at VITRUM25 understand its importance as an essential event for those working in the glassindustry, painting a clear picture of a market with excellent development prospects.
With the claim At the Heart of Glass, the 2025 edition aims to embrace the entire glass supplychain while not forgetting the essential role of technologies.
VITRUM25 will strengthen existing synergies within the sector and create new ones, with the aim ofelevating the role of glass in the global industry. The importance of the event will also be underscored by
the support of key national associations such as Assovetro, GIMAV, and Glass Group, as well asinternational associations like Glass for Europe, Abravidro, and Glaas Inc.
Additionally, a series of dedicated areas within the pavilions will highlight new collaborations andsynergies hosted by VITRUM25. There will also be collaborations with synergistic events, such as
NetZero Milan (an expo-summit on industrial decarbonisation), aimed at deepening themes related to theecological transition and the crucial role of glass in sustainability.
Also confirmed alongside the event is Glass Week 2025, a rich calendar of events involving the entire
city, including the exhibition Glass: An Endless History of Materials, People, and Products, organisedin collaboration with the Italian committee of AIHV (International Association for the History of Glass),
which will offer a fascinating retrospective on the history of glassmaking.
UNPRECEDENTED SUPPORT FOR COMPANIESVITRUM25 will also stand out for its particular attention to the companies participating in the event:through a series of carefully designed facilities, businesses will be able to maximise and enhance theirpresence at the fair and enjoy a comprehensive and advantageous exhibition experience.
This includes access to advanced digital platforms that will enable optimal management of client
relationships, with dedicated tools and the possibility to connect in real-time with potential partners andclients. This will allow stakeholders to maximise business objectives, presenting their innovations anddiscussing the most relevant trends in the sector.
In summary, VITRUM25 will not just be a technological showcase but a true business hub where
every company will have the opportunity to expand its network and strengthen its brand identity.
BUILDING AS GREEN AS GLASS
An integral part of the presentation of the 2025 edition of VITRUM was the conference titled
Building as Green as Glass – Exploring how glass is building greener cities and shaping a moresustainable future, and dedicated to the challenges and opportunities related to sustainability anddecarbonisation in the construction field. It highlighted the crucial role of glass and its innovative

technologies in promoting green building and the circular economy in a constantly evolving
context.
Institutions, associations, companies, and professionals provided an overview of the public action plansand private initiatives that are translating the Green Deal into concrete decarbonisation projects in the realestate sector, from possible procedures for adapting or maintaining existing buildings to the design of new
constructions. Starting from the latest revision of CAM (Minimum Environmental Criteria), new bestpractices were illustrated, ensuring a product that is not only functional and durable (guaranteed by UNI
certification and the quality installation mark) but also sustainable, thanks to the development byspecialised companies of low-carbon products through the use of recycled glass and renewable energy
sources. This is all combined with an unstoppable quest for aesthetics and supported by the mostadvanced technologies, both those already developed and those whose full potential has yet to beexplored, such as artificial intelligence, which also presents itself as a powerful ally in this field.
These are the pillars that will accompany us to the next edition of VITRUM: a unique event wherecompanies, professionals, and stakeholders will literally find themselves At the Heart of Glass, anunmissable opportunity to discover the innovations shaping the future of glass.
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Ufficio Stampa Fiera Milano
Rosy Mazzanti, Elisa Panico Cristofoli, Simone Zavettieri
M 3356992328 – 3316716900
elisa.panicocristofoli@fieramilano.it – simone.zavettieri@fieramilano.it