The purpose of GlassTrend is to identify the needs and requirements for improved and innovative production technologies for the whole glass industry in the broadest sense and to define and coordinate research and development activities which fulfil these requirements.

• Research and Development projects and
• Knowledge transfer about glass production to its members.

GlassTrend strives to make basic/fundamental knowledge related to glass science and glass technology accessible for the industries and to derive from this basic knowledge, innovative technologies applicable in industry and to find practical & feasible solutions for production & glass quality problems.

• Increase knowledge in glass science & technology by fundamental research;
• Improvement of the understanding of glass (melt) physics & chemistry and of glass furnaces;
• Initiation of technological innovation in the glass industry;
• Development of more (energy) efficient glass production processes;
• Reduction of the environmental footprint of glass production;
• Facilitation of information exchange of a technological and scientific nature, in the form of glass technology courses, seminars and workshops & study tours;
• Encouragement of young scientists and engineers commencing in glass technology.

• Seminars & Expert Meetings on topical subjects;
• R&D projects, separately funded by participating Glass Trend companies.

Main topics of interest : Glass Melting and Furnace Technology, Application & Glass Processing.

GlassTrend was founded in the summer of 2001. The membership is currently 52 companies (2019). Amongst these members are the world’s main glass industries, producing domestic glass, container glass, flat glass, speciality glasses, fibre glasses and insulation wool; suppliers of raw materials, refractory materials and industrial gases; research and technology groups and glass furnace design/engineering companies. Each member company is represented in the GlassTrend Council.

The annual membership fee is 4500 EURO/year per company (2020).

GlassTrend organizes workshops or seminars such as 2-days topical workshops two or three times a year. Some seminars or conferences are organized with other established institutions, such as the German Glass Society (DGG), International Commission on Glass, Association of Italian Glass Technologists (ATIV), Glass Manufacturing Industry Council in USA (GMIC).

The GlassTrend member companies are represented in the Council, which meets twice a year. The Council determines the focus of subjects, activities and events, such as the annual agenda of seminars, conferences, courses and selection of R&D projects. The GlassTrend Council members are asked to complete questionnaires each 3 years to investigate the needs for R&D and topics for seminars and education.