NEWS & EVENTS (2026)

Glasstec 2026 in Düsseldorf, the world’s leading international trade fair for the glass industry, has been a successful event for Pneumofore.
Together with our international sales team, we welcomed visitors and industry professionals from around the world to discuss our compressed air and vacuum solutions for container glass manufacturing, confirming the importance of reliability, long-term efficiency and durability in glass production.

Pneumofore Rotary Vane air compressors and vacuum pumps have demonstrated their performance over decades of continuous 24/7 operation in glassworks across five continents, under widely varying climatic conditions, from tropical heat to cold environments. These installations provide practical evidence that robust engineering, low maintenance requirements and stable efficiency throughout a machine’s operating life contribute directly to lower energy consumption and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) in glass manufacturing.

We thank all customers, partners and visitors for the valuable technical discussions and the confidence placed in Pneumofore technology.

Over 100 years of engineering experience. Proven performance over decades.

The vacuum installation at Rubin Glass has grown to a total of 15 Pneumofore units, reflecting more than a decade of continuous cooperation and long-term operating experience.

During a recent technical visit to the Rubin Glass production site in Pleven (Bulgaria), a Pneumofore representative reviewed several vacuum pumps operating across the plant. The inspection provided further evidence of the remarkable long-term reliability of the installation. Since the commissioning of the first UV16 Vacuum Pump in 2010, the system has progressively expanded in line with Rubin Glass’s production growth and now comprises 15 Pneumofore units.

Installed across different production areas, the pumps support the IS and AIS moulding machines associated to the site’s three glass furnaces. These production lines provide a total production capacity of approximately 750 tons per day. Rubin Glass manufactures green, brown and flint glass containers for a broad range of applications.

Rubin Glass is one of the most advanced and well-established glass producers in the Balkan region. With more than 60 years of experience in glass container manufacturing, the company has established a strong international presence and supplies customers across Europe and beyond. Its extensive product portfolio includes bottles ranging from 100 ml to 3.750 ml and jars from 80 ml to 1.750 ml, covering applications for food, edible oils, soft drinks, spirits, beers and wine. The company’s ability to develop customized glass containers distinguishes Rubin Glass from competitors focused on standardized production. This combination of production flexibility, quality and continuous technological modernization, supported by advanced quality management systems and integrated ERP business processes, further supports Rubin Glass’ established market position.

In glass manufacturing, vacuum is essential for stable and continuous operation of IS machines. Over the years, Rubin Glass has experienced the trouble-free operation of Pneumofore UV16 Vacuum Pumps, followed by the progressive expansion of the installed system. All these vacuum pumps are equipped with Variable Speed Drives that enable each pump to precisely adapt the delivered capacity to the actual production demand, supporting operational flexibility and energy efficiency.

The picture shows the most recent units, delivered in 2024: air-cooled UV Vacuum Pumps installed with adequate ventilation and properly dimensioned piping connections to minimize energy losses caused by pressure or capacity drops.

As demonstrated in hundreds of glassworks worldwide, Pneumofore UV Vacuum Pumps operate at low rotational speed with direct coupling, allowing stable performance over time and minimizing mechanical wear. Pneumofore systems typically operate continuously for more than 20 years without overhauls. This extended operating life contributes to lower Life Cycle Costs, reduced maintenance requirements and sustainable industrial production.

Pneumofore successfully participated in Glassman Latin America 2026, the international trade show and technical conference dedicated to the glass industry. Held in Mexico City, the event brought together leading glassmakers, technology providers, and industry specialists from across the Americas, confirming its role as a key meeting point for the global hollow and container glass manufacturing sector.
At the exhibition, Pneumofore showcased its advanced Rotary Vane vacuum and compressed air solutions engineered specifically for the glass industry, attracting strong interest for their high energy efficiency, reliability, and long operating life. The event also represented a key opportunity to strengthen the company’s presence in Latin America, supporting new business development while reinforcing relationships with existing customers.
Pneumofore’s participation was highlighted during the opening day ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by CEO Mr. Rolf Hilfiker, underlining the company’s strategic commitment to the region and to the growing Latin American glass market.
Another major highlight was the attendance of Mr. Andrés Gómez, Area Sales Manager, as keynote speaker at the technical conference with the presentation “Pressure Points: Hidden Savings in Pneumatic Solutions”. The presentation focused on how vacuum and compressed air systems are essential yet often underestimated utilities in hollow glass manufacturing. Improper sizing or equipment selection based only on initial purchase price can generate long-term inefficiencies, increased downtime and higher energy consumption. Pneumofore demonstrated how properly engineered pneumatic systems ensure stable production, lower operating costs and reduced environmental impact.
The company also benefited from the valuable support of its partner Ontama, which provides after-sales service and technical assistance across Mexico and South America for the glass industry, strengthening customer proximity and regional support capabilities.
With its participation at Glassman Latin America, Pneumofore continues to reinforce its position as a leading supplier of energy-efficient vacuum pumps and compressed air solutions for the global glass manufacturing industry.

METPACK 2026 confirmed Pneumofore as a key reference in energy-efficient vacuum and compressed air solutions for the global canmaking industry. The event, the world’s leading exhibition for the metal packaging industry, held every three years in Essen (Germany), attracted strong interest at the Pneumofore stand, with canmakers, technical specialists and industry professionals seeking reliable and efficient pneumatic solutions for high-speed can production.
A key highlight of Pneumofore’s participation was the technical conference presentation delivered by Pneumofore CEO Mr. Rolf Hilfiker, titled “Performance & Reliability: From People to Machines”. Drawing a parallel between human relationships and industrial equipment, the presentation emphasized that trust must precede performance in any selection process. In industrial applications, this translates into prioritizing reliability over peak efficiency. Reliability, durability, and long-term efficiency are the true indicators of value, together with the trustworthiness of the manufacturer.
The strong interest on Pneumofore solutions confirmed the growing attention of the canmaking industry towards reducing energy consumption, CO₂ emissions and long-term operating costs associated with pneumatic systems, which account for more than 50% of electricity demand in modern 2-piece can lines.
METPACK also represented an important opportunity to strengthen relationships with customers and trusted partners, like Airvacs and OEE, whose presence contributed to the success of the event and reinforced the long-standing cooperation developed over the years.
With more than 100 years of engineering experience, Pneumofore continues to support the global canmaking industry with reliable, sustainable and high-performance pneumatic solutions designed for continuous 24/7 operation.

Glassman, the travelling international exhibition and conference for the glass manufacturing industry, arrived in Italy for the first time, choosing Bologna as the host city for this key international event dedicated to the glass manufacturing sector. The exhibition confirms its role as a major meeting point for glassmakers, suppliers and decision-makers, with a strong focus on innovation, efficiency and sustainability in hollow glass manufacturing.
For Pneumofore, this first Italian edition of Glassman holds special significance. Founded in Italy in 1923, where its headquarters are based, Pneumofore has built its identity by combining Italian design and manufacturing quality with Swiss engineering expertise, delivering high-performance vacuum pumps and compressors for the glassmaking industry worldwide.
As a long-established exhibitor at Glassman events globally, Pneumofore once again confirmed its key role within the glass industry by contributing to the technical conference. During the event, Ms. Monica D’Alessio, Area Sales Manager, delivered the presentation “What Matters in Hollow Glass Production”.
The analysis focused on the key success factors in hollow glass manufacturing, illustrating how glass producers can overcome common operational challenges, improve process stability and consistently achieve high quality standards, energy efficiency and cost savings by making the correct choice for pneumatic equipment.
With its participation at Glassman Italy, Pneumofore reinforces its commitment to supporting glassmakers with reliable and long-lasting solutions, helping the industry face current and future challenges through energy-efficient vacuum and compressed air systems.

Latamcan, the leading technical conference for the metal packaging and canmaking industry in Latin America, turned to be a tremendous success for Pneumofore. Held this year in Mexico City, the event brought together canmakers, suppliers, and key technology leaders from across the region. Throughout the exhibition and conference, Pneumofore received widespread appreciation from visitors for the team’s expertise and professionalism, further reinforcing its reputation as a trusted technology partner for energy-efficient vacuum and compressed air solutions in the can industry.
This edition featured the presence of Pneumofore President, Eng. Daniel Hilfiker, underlining the strategic importance of the Latin American market for the company. Pneumofore was also supported by its partner Airvacs, which provides fast, reliable, and cost-effective service to customers across Latin America and Europe, ensuring operational continuity and strong local support.
During the technical conference, Andrés Marcelo Gomez Ramones, Area Sales Manager for Latin America, hold the presentation “The Invisible Backbone of Production – Hidden Drivers of Sustainable Canmaking.” The session highlighted how utilities such as vacuum and compressed air systems can account for up to 50% of a can production plant’s total electricity consumption, and how misjudgments in system design or equipment selection can silently but steadily erode efficiency and increase operational costs. Drawing on real-world examples and decades of experience, the presentation offered practical strategies to optimize pneumatic systems and support sustainable, high-efficiency can production.
With its participation at Latamcan 2026, Pneumofore reaffirms its commitment to delivering reliable, energy-saving, and sustainable solutions for canmakers throughout Latin America.