In this issue:
| WAC2026 Conference and EXPO | FEICA Members |
| FEICA Public and Regulatory Affairs Desk | FEICA Events |
| FEICA Industry Tools | |
| FEICA Secretariat |
WAC2026 Conference and EXPO
Keynote Speakers Announced
Four world‑class keynote speakers will address the Conference theme, ‘Reinventing the Future’, through discussion on leadership, global trade, disruption and the technological shifts reshaping industries:
Wednesday, 16 September 2026
Plenary I - Future‑Ready Leadership
Leadership in a VUCA-MAX World by Matthew Griffin
Plenary I - Future‑Ready Leadership
Leadership in a VUCA-MAX World by Matthew Griffin
Thursday, 17 September 2026
Plenary II - Geo‑Economic Resilience
The Frontier of the New Geoeconomy: Supply Chains and Technology by Dr Keyu Jin
Plenary II - Geo‑Economic Resilience
The Frontier of the New Geoeconomy: Supply Chains and Technology by Dr Keyu Jin
Plenary III - Future Proof Agility
Future IQ: Why Playing it Safe is the Biggest Risk by Terence Mauri
Future IQ: Why Playing it Safe is the Biggest Risk by Terence Mauri
Friday, 18 September 2026
Plenary IV - Uncertainty as Opportunity
The Never Normal: how to leverage the Uncertainty Principle by Peter Hinssen
Plenary IV - Uncertainty as Opportunity
The Never Normal: how to leverage the Uncertainty Principle by Peter Hinssen
The full programme is available here.
Book your delegate pass on wac2026.org
Call for Breakout Speakers open until 18 April
Submit your application and speak at the 2026 World Adhesive & Sealant Conference and EXPO. The most important event for the global adhesive and sealant community will gather industry leaders and stakeholders at the Queen Elisabeth II Centre (QEII), London, United Kingdom from 16 to 18 September 2026.
WAC2026 welcomes presentations addressing cross-border industrial initiatives that reinforce the resilience of the global supply chain against an uncertain regulatory landscape and trade dynamics.
New application system:
Fill in the ready to go online form by 18 April 2026! Interested speakers can find the full list of focus areas for WAC2026 and the online form on the conference website. You will receive a confirmation email after the submission.
WAC2026 welcomes presentations addressing cross-border industrial initiatives that reinforce the resilience of the global supply chain against an uncertain regulatory landscape and trade dynamics.
New application system:
Fill in the ready to go online form by 18 April 2026! Interested speakers can find the full list of focus areas for WAC2026 and the online form on the conference website. You will receive a confirmation email after the submission.
This year, selected speakers will be entitled to an exclusive speaker rate of £750 (ex. VAT) to attend the full programme of the Conference & EXPO (the speaker registration includes all public events from 16 to 18 September only, excluding membership-only meetings and events by invitation only).
Please note that no applications will be accepted by emailing the Conference Secretariat.
An unmissable event
Take advatage of discount codes for your hotel reservation:
Conference attendees are encouraged to book their accommodation directly with hotel of their choice.
To support your stay, the Conference Secretariat has secured a selection of discount codes with nearby properties to the QEII Centre. Delegates can use these codes, which are subject to each hotel’s booking conditions, to benefit from preferential rates.
Conference attendees are encouraged to book their accommodation directly with hotel of their choice.
To support your stay, the Conference Secretariat has secured a selection of discount codes with nearby properties to the QEII Centre. Delegates can use these codes, which are subject to each hotel’s booking conditions, to benefit from preferential rates.
WAC2026 Sponsors is growing! We’re delighted to welcome H.B. Fuller as Gold Sponsor, and Cargill, ChemQuest, Kaneka MS Polymer, Nitto, Pujadas, and Sika as Bronze Sponsors, and ASI as Premier Media Sponsor.
The earlier you book your space, the more pre-show marketing your company receives. Gold, Silver or Bronze, which sponsorship will make you stand out with the most important event for the adhesive and sealant industry in the world? Details of the different sponsorship opportunities are available here.
Reserve your EXPO tabletop today
Imagine a marketplace where the gloabal A&S industry will join. This is what to expect from the WAC EXPO. See what package works best for your company here, and get in contact with Marion Kraemer at marion.kraemer@feica-conferences.com to book.
Visit the WAC2026 website to register and get more info on the Conference & EXPO.
Visit the WAC2026 website to register and get more info on the Conference & EXPO.
FEICA Public and Regulatory Affairs Desk
FEICA opens DUCC’s event on future of chemicals at the European Parliament
On 24 February, Kristel Ons, Chair of the DUCC Downstream Users of Chemicals Group and FEICA Secretary General, opened the event by highlighting the essential role downstream users play in Europe’s industrial ecosystem — from life‑saving medical devices to construction materials, detergents, disinfectants, agricultural solutions and more.
The event, hosted by MEP Dimitrios Tsiodras (EPP), underscored DUCC’s ongoing commitment to maintaining an open dialogue on the future of EU chemicals legislation. The discussion emphasised the need for smart regulation that reduces regulatory complexity while preserving high safety standards, ensuring predictability for industry, and safeguarding Europe’s competitiveness, innovation capacity and trust across the entire value chain.
FEICA returns to Antwerp to join the call for the future of the European industry
General joined a cohesive action of the European Industry calling on European Commisions and Head of Member States to deliver a strong message: Europe cannot be strong without strong industry.
The adhesive and sealant sector is deeply woven into Europe’s socio‑economic fabric, providing high‑quality jobs and enabling essential products that millions of Europeans rely on every day. We also belong to one of Europe’s most innovative industrial ecosystems: our companies invest €580 million annually in research and development, often in partnership with some of the most advanced technological sectors in Europe.
Whether it’s electronics, electric vehicles, medical devices, solar panels, defence technologies or next‑generation digital solutions, we help European industry compete by making these highly technical, fast‑paced innovations possible. Yet even with this unwavering commitment, Europe’s industrial framework is making it harder across entire value chain.
FEICA therefore supports the Antwerp Call for Action and the urgent need for a Fair Industrial Deal that finally restores a level playing field for European manufacturers. Europe must act now to:
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Reduce energy and carbon costs, so our industrial base can compete globally
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Guarantee fair trade conditions and facilitate access to finance, especially for sectors driving innovation
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Incentivise buying products made in Europe, ensuring the value of European quality and sustainability is recognised
The full Antwerp Call to Action is available at this link.
FEICA cosigns industry position paper on UK-EU chemicals regulatory cooperation
FEICA has cosigned a position paper calling for the full implementation of the Chemicals Annex under the EU/UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA). The paper highlights the importance of structured regulatory cooperation to support business growth, competitiveness, and high standards of consumer and environmental protection in both regions. The full position paper is available at this page. .
FEICA joins the Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA)
FEICA has been accepted as a Member of the Critical Chemicals Alliance (CCA). On 13 January, Kristel Ons attended the first General Assembly of the CCA in the Netherlands. The Alliance serves as an essential forum to address the challenges facing the chemical sector and FEICA’s membership reflects our commitment to strategic, cross-sector engagement and to contributing our industry expertise in support of the Alliance’s objectives.
Kristel Ons has also been elected to represent the Downstream Users of Chemicals Co-ordination group (DUCC) on the CCA Steering Board, in her capacity as Chair of the DUCC Heads of Associations. In this role, she will coordinate the Alliance’s work and contribute to defining the CCA’s key deliverables.
FEICA attended EC workshop on advanced materials
Jana Cohrs Rahmoun, Director of Public & Regulatory Affairs, attended a workshop organised by EY on behalf of the European Commission. The discussion covered the following points:
- The EU advanced materials value chain
- Perspectives on standardisation
- Innovation procurement as a tool to foster innovation
Adhesives and sealants are strategic due to their innovative characteristics and their role in supporting the circular economy. FEICA is monitoring the ongoing development of the discussion on the upcoming Advanced Materials Act. The draft legislative text is expected in Q4.
Model EPDs
Since 2016 FEICA provides Model EPDs to help manufacturers demonstrate product impact, broadening options for specifiers and easing market access for SMEs.
Last year, FEICA, in collaboration with DBC and IVK, has expanded the range of products covered by the European Product Declaration (EDP), which now include models for products based on butyl chemistry, on polysulfides, and on vinyl chloride polymers’
Last year, FEICA, in collaboration with DBC and IVK, has expanded the range of products covered by the European Product Declaration (EDP), which now include models for products based on butyl chemistry, on polysulfides, and on vinyl chloride polymers’
More information on the Model EPDs and the full list of products is available at the EPDs page of FEICA webiste.
FEICA team grows with a new Public & Regulatory Affairs Managers
A new colleague joined the FEICA team to strengthen the association’s work on public and regulatory priorities of key strategic files.
Stavroula Genikalioti – Public & Regulatory Affairs Manager (Chemical Legislation)
Stavroula is a lawyer with experience in environmental law and policy. She will be responsible for the Working Group Chemical Legislation and the Task Forces REACH, Polymers, Supply Chain Communication, Implementation of the SPM Restriction, and Substitution Planning.
FEICA Members
FEICA thanks Axel Hessland, a dedicated organisation member
Throughout his career, Axel Hessland brought dedication, expertise, and a deep understanding of chemical legislation to IVK and FEICA. His contributions to key regulatory files and his outstanding moderation of the Breakout Sessions at FEICA Conferences have left a lasting mark. FEICA and its members sincerely thank Axel for his invaluable work and wish him all the best in his next chapter.
FEICA Events
