Platform on window, door, frame technology, hardware, roof and facade technology, security
Two event-packed days with a total of twelve presentations by experts in ten languages - brought to the stage for GEALAN partners from all over Europe, who could inform themselves on the spot or connect virtually: The International Forum for the Future 2022, organized for the first time in a hybrid format, offered product innovations, trends and digital solutions for the window frame industry. More than 700 participants attended live via an online stream or in the event tents at GEALAN's headquarters in Oberkotzau.
Eleven experts gave the professional audience a competent and authentic introduction to a wide variety of industry trends during the latest edition of GEALAN's successful event series. And that in ten languages simultaneously - because the lectures and moderations of the International Forum for the Future 2022 were translated live for the on-site audience and, if required, also for online guests.
Ivica Maurović, spokesperson for the GEALAN Executive Board, is particularly pleased with the premiere of the event in this form: "We have made a great effort to enable all our customers and business partners to be present at the International Forum for the Future 2022. Because all our partners are very important to us. With the event in the hybrid format, we have successfully opened new doors for our industry and created flexible access to our topics for all interested parties."
On both days of the event, Ivica Maurović welcomed the international audience in the morning with personal words, "Even though the exhibition halls remained empty during the difficult times of the corona pandemic, development at GEALAN was anything but at a standstill during that period. We are very pleased to offer you a glimpse into the future of the window frame industry in the coming hours - with current trends and our latest product solutions and developments."
The following presentations were each grouped into thematic blocks: On the first day, Dr. Constantin Greiner, construction expert at the management consulting firm Munich Strategy, kicked off the subject area "Strategies and Insights" with his keynote address. His helpful take on the future challenges and opportunities of the sector: What will become and remain important for frame manufacturers and how do frame manufacturers in Europe position themselves successfully and with an eye on the future?
Most of the first day of the event was then devoted to "products and technologies." To give the trade audience a realistic impression on site, the event tents were equipped with detailed exhibits of all product and system solutions.
At the International Forum for the Future 2022, our product experts presented for the first time GEALAN-KONTUR®, a newly developed premium design system with an aluminum option. The product developers also announced that GEALAN-COMFORT®, a ground-level threshold for barrier-free construction, will soon be available from GEALAN.
In the other presentations of this thematic block, guests were able to learn not only about GEALAN innovations, but also about the details and further developments of proven systems and technologies. For example, the presentation "GEALAN-acrylcolor®: the PMMA surface sets new accents" described how even a technology that has proven itself for more than 40 years can still be innovative and respond to current trends; three new trend colors were presented. The presentation of new methods for dry bonding STV® and wet bonding showed that common processes can always be adapted to new conditions and can be improved. With GEALAN-LINEAR®, a design all-round system in the 74 mm segment, and GEALAN-KUBUS®, the first-class all-glass system, attention continued to be focused on visually modern, straightforward and yet always highly functional plastic profile systems.
The second day of the International Forum for the Future was devoted to the hot topics of the present: sustainability and digitalization. The event was opened by Charlotte Röber, general manager of EPPA, who explained the European sustainability policy regarding plastic profiles, the "Green Deal." Today the construction industry is responsible for 40% of Europe's energy consumption - however, by 2050 the EU wants to be climate neutral. How can this be achieved? "Save resources - use recyclates" because, as Charlotte Röber explained, CO2 emissions were already reduced by about 726,000 tons in 2019 just by using recyclates instead of new material. Dr. Michel Sieffert, Head of Research & Development at GEALAN, explained how GEALAN saves not only CO2 but also valuable energy through the use of recycled materials, proprietary recycling plants, more efficient machinery and improved transport and logistics processes.
GEALAN's digital products and services were presented in the second thematic block of the day. Smart products for ventilation and window automation not only enable maximum energy efficiency, but at the same time provide comfort and a healthy indoor climate. On the stage of the International Forum for the Future, the smart active ventilation system GEALAN-CAIRE®, whose sensors automatically monitor indoor air quality, was used as an example. Including the additional option of a convenient Smart Home connection. On the Smart Home front, the recently launched TEXINO brand also offers a new product variation that enables connections with craftsmen and manufacturers outside the window frame industry. A presentation of GEALAN's digital services across the entire production chain rounded out the hybrid event: as impressively demonstrated, GEALAN's state-of-the-art digital solutions can accompany and facilitate the entire process from frame drawing to maintenance of installed elements, from sales and planning to after-sales offers.
Country-specific market presentations complemented the GEALAN event in a meaningful way: For example, colleagues from the Netherlands presented their system optimized for renovations S 9000 EN reno, which allows existing window frames to be effortlessly, safely and sustainably converted to meet today's standards in a few simple steps. The Spanish lecture dealt with the topic of sustainability. Among other things, the colleagues explained how various GEALAN systems can be used to realize requirements for passive houses in a versatile and reliable manner.
The International Forum for the Future 2022 concluded with tours of the two German sites in Oberkotzau and Tanna. This gave guests an impression of GEALAN's technical center and the digitized tool shop. Finally, demonstrations of objects and systems connected the theoretical background with their application in practice: visitors to the event were shown in the technical center how plastic profiles are processed and repaired, how various GEALAN-CAIRE® ventilation solutions work in detail and what advantages different adhesive techniques offer when replacing glass.
GEALAN Director Ivica Maurović was delighted with the event's hybrid premiere, promising, "We have seen that this format of the International Forum for the Future has been very well received by all parties. This encourages us to continue this event series in the future, to continue pursuing new ideas and bringing topics that will bring real added value to our partners."
Louwers Mediagroep
Schatbeurderlaan 6
6002 ED Weert
© 1987 - 2025 Louwers Media Group.
