Strategic Autonomy
A strategic industrial capability for Europe
The adhesives and sealants industry is a strategic sector that combines industrial capability, innovation, specialized knowledge and economic value, supporting Europe’s position in modern manufacturing.
Europe continues to hold strong expertise in adhesive bonding and sealing technologies, which are widely used across industrial applications and require advanced technical skills, product development and application knowledge. Maintaining this capability is essential to ensure that innovation, production and value creation remain in Europe, as any weakening would risk shifting development and industrial activity elsewhere.
The sector is innovation-intensive, with around €580 million invested annually in research and development, and the intellectual property generated within the EU reflects the strength of its industrial and technological base. This innovation is closely linked to manufacturing needs, improving safety and durability, enabling new functionalities and supporting more efficient use of materials and resources. At the same time, close cooperation with downstream industries ensures alignment with evolving technical, environmental and regulatory requirements.
Concomitantly, quality assurance standards and qualification systems for adhesive bonding technologies support their wider industrial use and ensure consistent and reliable application, providing a strong foundation of skills and standards that underpin industrial resilience and competitiveness.
Safeguarding innovation, skills and production in Europe
Maintaining Europe’s production capacity is equally critical in this context, as the sector faces increasing pressure from global market distortions, growing external dependencies, and dumping practices that undermine investment in European production. Safeguarding Europe’s industrial base therefore requires a strategic approach to trade, investment and supply chains, including measures to protect fair competition, strengthen strategic sourcing and support investment that keeps value creation within Europe.