UN General Assembly proclaims 2022 "International Year of Glass"

This United Nations resolution is a unique and historic event for glass. This is the result of a long journey initiated in 2018 made possible thanks to the support of 1500 universities and research centers, learned societies and associations, museums, artists, manufacturers and companies in 79 countries. and on 5 continents. The formal resolution was adopted at the United Nations General Assembly on May 18, 2021.

The International Year of Glass will be a unique opportunity for all French players to make glass better known, to highlight our professions in all their diversity, to promote our know-how and to inform the younger generations in particular. on our material and all the perspectives it can offer.

Today, therefore, begins the preparation of this year 2022 with the establishment of many upcoming events and activities across the planet.

The French glass industry brings together leading industrial players in the various fields: tableware, food packaging, bottles for cosmetic perfumery and pharmaceuticals, flat glass, glass wool, fiber glass, cookware, glasses for optics and photonics, bioglasses and special glasses. Based on undeniable historical know-how, this sector is also innovative in terms of energy savings, the fight against climate change and the circular economy.

In addition, French academic research is at the forefront of global research both at the fundamental level (number of articles in international journals) and in the number of patents filed. This is what gives glass a very important potential for innovation.

Since 2019, the gestures of glass-making know-how have been included in the inventory of the intangible cultural heritage of France. In addition, several French manufactures are recognized as Living Heritage Companies of France. And France also benefits from a large number of recognized glass artists present throughout the country.

All the players in the French glass industry will be there to showcase this unique material, its different professions and its incredible potential for innovation and creativity. This international year of glass will be led by the 4 professional and scientific organizations that represent glass in France, namely the Federation of Trade Union Chambers of Glass Industries, the Federation of Crystal and Glass, the French Federation of Glass Professionals and the Union for Glass Science and Technology.