Economics Minister Aiwanger stands behind the glass industry

16.03.2026

Hubert Aiwanger visits glass manufacturers to find out about rising energy and bureaucratic costs. Politicians and industry discuss measures for competitive framework conditions.

During talks with Zwiesel Fortessa AG and the RiedelSpiegelauNachtmann Group, Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Hubert Aiwanger learned about the tense situation in the glass industry. The companies are complaining about massively increasing energy and bureaucratic costs as well as growing international competitive pressure, particularly due to cheap imports from Asia.

Aiwanger emphasized the importance of the glass industry for Bavaria and called for reliable framework conditions for energy-intensive companies. The companies themselves are also calling for practicable regulation and more planning security in order to be able to continue investing in locations and new technologies.

The Minister announced that he would continue to promote the industry's concerns in politics, reduce unnecessary reporting obligations and create competitive energy and regulatory conditions in the long term. The industry is supported by the Glass 2.0 network and a glass summit planned for the summer, among other things.

Further information on the minister's exchange with the companies can be found here