emirates7 - Dubai is preparing to host the third edition of the International Glass Manufacturing Show (IGMS 2026) from 13 to 15 April 2026 at the Dubai World Trade Centre.
This highly anticipated event will serve as a specialised platform, reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a key regional and global hub for the advanced construction and façade industries.
Recognised as the leading event of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, IGMS 2026 will showcase the entire glass manufacturing value chain—from essential raw materials like silica sand to state-of-the-art finished products and the latest technologies in processing, cutting, and finishing.
The event comes at a transformative moment for the regional glass industry, which is experiencing accelerated growth driven by rapid urban development, major real estate projects, and a rising demand for sustainable and intelligent building solutions.
Regional efforts to promote green construction and adherence to environmental standards are further boosting the need for energy-efficient, thermally insulated, and soundproof glass solutions.
Dubai continues to strengthen its role as a commercial powerhouse for the glass sector, capitalising on the region’s rich supply of raw materials and the UAE’s world-class logistics infrastructure. Its strategic geographic position enhances its role as a key trade and export hub for high-purity industrial sand, essential for producing architectural, flat, and clear glass used in cutting-edge construction.
The UAE’s silica sand market is expanding rapidly, fuelled by growing demand in both the construction and glass production sectors. IGMS 2026 is set to host more than 150 international exhibitors and welcome around 17,000 attendees, including industry professionals, buyers, and key decision-makers. The exhibition offers a prime opportunity for forging new partnerships and expanding commercial footprints into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.
The event’s agenda includes a wide range of activities such as a specialised industry conference focused on the digital transformation of glass manufacturing, high-level panel sessions, an innovation awards ceremony, and dedicated B2B meetings that connect manufacturers with prospective clients.
As part of the broader industrial integration initiative between the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Bahrain, the Regional National Programme—a key feature of the International Glass Products Exhibition—will offer exclusive advantages to participating countries, helping them promote their capabilities to regional and global stakeholders in the glass industry.
Recent market data shows that the UAE’s silica sand sector is growing at an annual rate exceeding 5%, with ongoing progress in the construction and glass manufacturing fields. In 2025, the packaging glass segment surpassed 336 kilotons, and the glass curtain wall market is expected to reach AED 1.8 billion by 2027.
Across the region, the Middle East and Africa’s flat glass market was valued at US$8.5 billion in 2023, with forecasts predicting growth to approximately US$15 billion by 2031. Meanwhile, the GCC’s silica sand market, valued at US$426 million in 2024, is projected to grow to US$776.5 million by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of 6.55%.
IGMS 2026 is poised to become a major gathering point for companies seeking regional expansion, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, developers, engineers, architects, investors, government bodies, and leaders of major ongoing construction projects.
This highly anticipated event will serve as a specialised platform, reinforcing Dubai’s standing as a key regional and global hub for the advanced construction and façade industries.
Recognised as the leading event of its kind in the Middle East and North Africa, IGMS 2026 will showcase the entire glass manufacturing value chain—from essential raw materials like silica sand to state-of-the-art finished products and the latest technologies in processing, cutting, and finishing.
The event comes at a transformative moment for the regional glass industry, which is experiencing accelerated growth driven by rapid urban development, major real estate projects, and a rising demand for sustainable and intelligent building solutions.
Regional efforts to promote green construction and adherence to environmental standards are further boosting the need for energy-efficient, thermally insulated, and soundproof glass solutions.
Dubai continues to strengthen its role as a commercial powerhouse for the glass sector, capitalising on the region’s rich supply of raw materials and the UAE’s world-class logistics infrastructure. Its strategic geographic position enhances its role as a key trade and export hub for high-purity industrial sand, essential for producing architectural, flat, and clear glass used in cutting-edge construction.
The UAE’s silica sand market is expanding rapidly, fuelled by growing demand in both the construction and glass production sectors. IGMS 2026 is set to host more than 150 international exhibitors and welcome around 17,000 attendees, including industry professionals, buyers, and key decision-makers. The exhibition offers a prime opportunity for forging new partnerships and expanding commercial footprints into emerging markets across Africa and Asia.
The event’s agenda includes a wide range of activities such as a specialised industry conference focused on the digital transformation of glass manufacturing, high-level panel sessions, an innovation awards ceremony, and dedicated B2B meetings that connect manufacturers with prospective clients.
As part of the broader industrial integration initiative between the UAE, Jordan, Egypt, and Bahrain, the Regional National Programme—a key feature of the International Glass Products Exhibition—will offer exclusive advantages to participating countries, helping them promote their capabilities to regional and global stakeholders in the glass industry.
Recent market data shows that the UAE’s silica sand sector is growing at an annual rate exceeding 5%, with ongoing progress in the construction and glass manufacturing fields. In 2025, the packaging glass segment surpassed 336 kilotons, and the glass curtain wall market is expected to reach AED 1.8 billion by 2027.
Across the region, the Middle East and Africa’s flat glass market was valued at US$8.5 billion in 2023, with forecasts predicting growth to approximately US$15 billion by 2031. Meanwhile, the GCC’s silica sand market, valued at US$426 million in 2024, is projected to grow to US$776.5 million by 2033, reflecting a CAGR of 6.55%.
IGMS 2026 is poised to become a major gathering point for companies seeking regional expansion, bringing together a wide range of stakeholders, including manufacturers, suppliers, developers, engineers, architects, investors, government bodies, and leaders of major ongoing construction projects.