Southeast Asia’s most anticipated glass and façade event, GlassTech Asia will be welcoming its 22nd edition – and Fenestration Asia its 9th edition, at Malaysia International Trade & Exhibition Centre (MITEC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 10th to 12th November 2026.
The event is centered on all things glass and buildings which includes sectors in manufacturing, processing, and supplies for glass machineries, along with construction and façade.
Market Reach
Malaysia’s construction sector recorded a work-done value of RM 158.8 billion in 2024, growing 20.2% from the previous year. This strong construction activity demonstrates a deeply rooted demand for glass processing and façade services. Local firms specializing in tempered, laminated, insulated architectural glass and aluminium façade systems are well positioned to serve this demand, leveraging established networks of technical talent and infrastructure. The sheer scale and maturity of these domestic players make Malaysia one of the most capable markets in Southeast Asia for façade and glass-processing business.
Investment and Expansion
Malaysia is entering a strong investment cycle that directly benefits the glass and façade industry. In 2024, approved investments reached MYR 378.5 billion (~USD 83.4 billion) — a 14.9% increase from the previous year — with foreign investments contributing MYR 170.4 billion (~USD 37.5 billion). The construction sector recorded MYR 158.8 billion in work done, growing 20.2% year-on-year, and is projected to expand 4.5% annually from 2026–2029.
This momentum spans major infrastructure developments including MRT/LRT networks, airports, hospitals, schools, and government facilities, all of which require large volumes of high-spec glass and façade systems. Combined with ongoing commercial and industrial growth, this cycle is driving demand for new manufacturing upgrades, processing lines, and advanced façade technologies, further positioning Malaysia as an attractive hub for the industry.
Fast-Growing Demand
Malaysia’s push for sustainability is accelerating: the Green Building Index (GBI) has certified 671 projects covering 300+ million sq ft, reducing 1.75 million tonnes of CO₂ annually. This drives growing demand for low-E glass, IGUs, and solar-control glazing as developers pursue energy efficiency and ESG targets.
At the same time, regulatory and safety standards are tightening. Stronger requirements on fire performance, wind-load compliance, and façade safety are increasing adoption of laminated, tempered, and certified glass systems. Together, these trends are expanding the market for advanced, high-spec façade solutions.
Market Advancement
Retrofit demand in Malaysia is rising sharply, with the commercial building sector alone contributing RM 42.0 billion (~USD 9.1 billion) in construction work done in Q4 2024, and total annual construction work reaching RM 158.8 billion (~USD 34–36 billion), up 20.2% year-on-year. The solar sector is expanding rapidly: by late 2024, Malaysia had 2,306 MW of cumulative solar capacity, with 1,975 MW of new large-scale solar (LSS) projects approved. Incentives such as the Solar for Rakyat (SolaRIS) scheme—offering rebates up to RM 4,000 per household installation—have accelerated residential PV uptake, making solar glass a mainstream opportunity. In the automotive segment, Malaysia’s total vehicle sales reached 816,747 units in 2024, with 744,604 passenger cars produced, a year-on-year increase of 2.1%, supporting strong demand for automotive glass including windshields, safety glass, and frameless windows. Together, the growth in retrofitting, solar, and automotive sectors positions Malaysia as a regional hub for high-performance and advanced glass technologies, with both domestic and export-driven demand expanding rapidly.