Innovation

Innovation in adhesives and sealants strengthens Europe’s industrial future

Adhesives and sealants may be largely invisible in finished products, but they are essential to many of the technologies and systems Europe relies on. A dynamic European adhesives and sealants industry helps drive innovation in strategic sectors, support advanced manufacturing, and strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of Europe’s industrial base.

Innovative adhesives and sealants provide functions that are critical across a wide range of strategic applications, including energy, digital technologies, healthcare, transportation, defence and construction.

European expertise is a strategic advantage

Europe has built deep expertise in adhesive bonding and sealing technology, and that expertise is a strategic asset. Maintaining Europe’s leadership in this field matters not only for industrial competitiveness, but also for reducing dependency and preserving critical technological capability.

This strength goes beyond chemistry alone. It also depends on manufacturing know-how, standards, training, testing and quality assurance. European leadership in qualification and standardisation has helped make adhesive bonding a reliable industrial technology across sectors, supporting its safe and effective use in increasingly demanding applications.

European industrial policy, including initiatives such as the Industrial Accelerator Act, is key to ensuring that innovation in adhesives and sealants continues to take place in Europe, while also creating the conditions and incentives needed to strengthen European manufacturing in the sector.