Advancing Industry Representation, Competitiveness and Collaboration
April - August 2026
The past months have been marked by intensive activity across FEICA's key priorities: supporting members through regulatory developments, strengthening the visibility of the adhesives and sealants industry, and preparing for WAC2026, the industry's flagship global event.
From engaging with policymakers and stakeholders on major legislative files to launching new communication initiatives and expanding collaboration along the value chain, FEICA has continued to advocate for a competitive, innovative and sustainable future for the European adhesives and sealants industry.
Event & Industry Engagement WAC2026 Builds Global Momentum
Preparations for the World Adhesive & Sealant Conference and EXPO (WAC2026) have accelerated significantly in recent months, reinforcing the event's position as the premier global gathering for the adhesives and sealants industry.
The conference programme has continued to develop with more than 70 speakers confirmed across the Plenary Sessions and 16 Industry Breakout Sessions. Among the highlights are executive addresses from senior leaders representing Bostik, Henkel and H.B. Fuller. Laurent Peyronneau (Bostik), Mark Dorn (Henkel) and Celeste Mastin (H.B. Fuller) will provide strategic insights into the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of the industry.
Complementing these executive perspectives, WAC2026 will also feature a distinguished line-up of Inspirational Speakers who will explore the broader forces transforming business, society and global markets. As organisations navigate an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment, these sessions will provide valuable insights into innovation, leadership, geopolitics and future trends. Delegates will hear from futurist Matthew Griffin, adhesives and sealants industry expert and former tesa CEO Dr Norman Goldberg, geoeconomics specialist Dr Keyu Jin, future business strategist Terence Mauri and innovation authority Peter Hinssen. Together, they will offer fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities shaping tomorrow's world and the decisions organisations must make today to remain competitive and resilient.
The programme also reflects WAC's international character. In Breakout Session I, Kristel Ons (FEICA), Bill Allmond (ASC), Lorna Williams (BASA) Donald Hsiang-Chih Hsiao (ARAC) and Jeffrey Huang (TSRAIA) will deliver regional updates from Europe, North America, the United Kingdom and Asia-Pacific, providing delegates with a unique global perspective on market developments and industry trends.
Industry support for WAC2026 has continued to grow. Bostik, H.B. Fuller and Henkel have confirmed their support as Gold Sponsors, while DOW has joined as Silver Sponsor. A strong group of Bronze Sponsors, including BASF, Cargill, ChemQuest, Kaneka, Nitto, Pujadas, Sika and Synthomer, further reflects the industry's commitment to the event. Supported by Premier Media Sponsor Adhesives & Sealants Industry (ASI) and a broad network of international media partners (Adhesion, Argus Media, FAPU, ISGATEC, Pitture e Vernici – European Coatings, Smithers, and Special Chem), WAC2026 continues to attract worldwide attention.
The accompanying EXPO has also expanded significantly, with more than 60 exhibitors confirmed from across Europe, Asia and the Americas. Together, the conference and exhibition will create an unparalleled platform for networking, innovation and business development.
Taking place in London from 16-18 September 2026, WAC2026 is expected to bring together the entire international adhesives and sealants community to discuss market developments, sustainability, innovation and future industry challenges. Registration is still open on wac2026.org.
Representing the Industry Across Europe
FEICA maintained an active presence at major European industry and policy events, ensuring that the perspectives of the adhesives and sealants sector were represented in discussions shaping the future regulatory and industrial landscape.
At the Helsinki Chemicals Forum, Stavroula Genikalioti, FEICA Public & Regulatory Affairs Manager (Chemicals), represented the association in discussions on the future of EU chemicals legislation. During the event, Ralf Schulz (Sika), Member of the FEICA Regulatory & Sustainability Board, highlighted the strategic role of adhesives and sealants in supporting clean energy technologies, climate resilience and European value chains, while stressing the need for a regulatory framework that supports both innovation and competitiveness.
At Regulatory Summit Europe 2026, Torsten Funk, FEICA Advisor, contributed to discussions on the potential implications of polymer registration under REACH. FEICA emphasised the diversity of polymers used within the adhesives and sealants sector and the importance of proportionate regulatory requirements that avoid unnecessary burdens, particularly for SMEs.
FEICA President Stuart Jenkinson (H.B. Fuller) and Vice-President Prof. Dr Thomas Schiele (BASF) attended INDEX™ 2026 in Geneva, strengthening dialogue with adjacent value chains and exploring developments in advanced materials, sustainability and market trends. Engagement continued at FIPEC in Paris, where Kristel Ons, FEICA Secretary General and national associations exchanged views on key developments including the Industrial Accelerator Act, the Critical Chemicals Alliance, Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), Digital Product Passports (DPPs) and PPWR implementation.
FEICA also contributed to European Commission discussions through participation in the CPR Environmental Sustainability Training, where Domenico Perone, Public & Regulatory Affairs Manager (Construction), followed developments relating to the environmental sustainability requirements of construction products and their implications for manufacturers.
Supporting Members Through Knowledge Sharing
Knowledge sharing and member support remained central to FEICA's activities.
A major focus has been the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), which introduces significant obligations for companies operating throughout the packaging value chain.
In April, FEICA organised a dedicated webinar on the role and obligations of packaging adhesives under the PPWR, providing members and stakeholders with practical guidance ahead of the Regulation's implementation. The webinar, hosted by Maria Pulina, Public & Regulatory Affairs Manager (Sustainability) attracted strong interest and was complemented by supporting resources, a recording and detailed written responses to participants' questions.
This work continued through the FEICA Stakeholder Forum on PPWR in June, which brought together organisations representing users of adhesives and sealants and the wider packaging value chain. The discussion featured contributions from Marta Roche Díez (FEFCO) and Roberta Colotta (Flexible Packaging Europe), who shared perspectives on how packaging suppliers are preparing to meet their obligations under the Regulation.
In parallel, Alexandra Ross, Chair of FEICA's Working Group Paper & Packaging, represented the industry at the Akademie Fresenius PPWR Conference, contributing to discussions on packaging compliance, recyclability and the role of adhesives in supporting circular packaging solutions.
These initiatives reflect FEICA's ongoing commitment to supporting members through regulatory transitions and promoting a consistent understanding of legislative requirements across the value chain.
Public Relations & Strategic Initiatives - Strengthening the Industry's Voice
One of the most significant milestones during the reporting period was the launch of Smart Bonds, FEICA's new communication initiative designed to increase awareness of the strategic role of adhesives and sealants across the European economy.
Supported by a dedicated website, LinkedIn Showcase Page and a Smart Bonds magazine, the initiative aims to provide the industry with a stronger collective identity and help policymakers, stakeholders and the wider public better understand the contribution of adhesives and sealants to innovation, sustainability and industrial competitiveness.
In the foreword of the magazine, FEICA President Stuart Jenkinson described the adhesives and sealants industry as a strategic enabler of Europe's transition towards a more sustainable, innovative and competitive future.
A New Digital Platform for FEICA
FEICA also launched its redesigned website, providing a more modern and accessible platform to communicate the industry's contribution to European policy objectives and industrial value chains.
The new website places greater emphasis on advocacy priorities, industry projects and the enabling role of adhesives and sealants in supporting repairability, circularity, durability and innovation. It also improves access to technical resources, position papers and industry information for members, policymakers and stakeholders.
Together, the new FEICA website and the Smart Bonds initiative represent an important step in strengthening the visibility and public profile of the European adhesives and sealants industry.
Expanding FEICA's Influence
FEICA's engagement with policymakers and regulatory stakeholders was further strengthened through the appointment of Jana Cohrs, FEICA Director Public & Regulatory Affairs, to the Board of the European Regulation and Innovation Forum (ERIF).
The appointment provides an additional platform through which FEICA can contribute to discussions on better regulation, innovation stress testing, competitiveness and future EU policy developments.
FEICA also continued strengthening relationships with downstream users and partner organisations. On 3 June, Kristel Ons, FEICA Secretary General and Chair of DUCC's Heads of Associations, participated in a panel discussion organised by Detergents Europe on the future of the chemical industry from a downstream user perspective. The discussion highlighted the importance of regulatory predictability, investment certainty and value-chain collaboration in supporting innovation throughout Europe's industrial ecosystem.
Regulatory Affairs & Advocacy -Promoting a Competitive Circular Economy
The Circular Economy Act (CEA) has emerged as one of FEICA's principal advocacy priorities during the reporting period.
Led by Jana Cohrs and the Public & Regulatory Affairs team, FEICA has actively contributed to the debate through position papers, stakeholder engagement activities and participation in policy discussions, including the European Parliament's ENVI Committee hearing.
Throughout these discussions, FEICA emphasised the contribution of adhesives and sealants to durability, repair, reuse, refurbishment and high-quality recycling, while calling for harmonised rules, legal certainty, recognition of mass-balance accounting approaches and technology-neutral measures that support innovation and investment.
These messages were further amplified through external outreach activities, including articles and opinion pieces highlighting the role of adhesives and sealants as industrial enablers and circular multipliers across strategic value chains.
Supporting PPWR Implementation
The Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation remained one of the most important areas of focus for FEICA's regulatory work.
Alongside stakeholder engagement activities, webinars and conference participation, FEICA published new guidance on PPWR Declarations of Conformity, helping companies understand their obligations when they fall under the definition of packaging manufacturers.
This work forms part of FEICA's broader objective to ensure that implementation remains practical, proportionate and workable for adhesives and sealants companies operating throughout the packaging value chain.
Advancing a Technology-Neutral Approach to Defossilisation
FEICA continued promoting a technology-neutral regulatory framework to support Europe's transition towards a circular and defossilised economy while safeguarding industrial competitiveness and innovation.
Through its engagement on the Biotech Act II and the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), FEICA advocated for policy measures that support innovation, competitiveness and the uptake of sustainable technologies through a technology-neutral approach. The association stressed that achieving Europe's defossilisation objectives will require access to a broad range of renewable carbon sources, including biomass, recycled feedstocks and CO₂-derived materials, as well as the flexibility to deploy the most suitable solutions across different value chains.
At the same time, FEICA highlighted the unique position of adhesives and sealants as intermediate products used across numerous strategic sectors. The association called for policymakers to recognise that measures developed for final consumer products should not automatically be applied to intermediate products, whose function, market structure and contribution to final products differ significantly. Applying such measures without considering these differences could create disproportionate costs and administrative burdens while delivering limited environmental benefits.
Through its position papers and advocacy activities, FEICA consistently argued for coherent, innovation-friendly and technology-neutral policies that support competitiveness, investment and the development of scalable sustainable solutions across European industrial value chains.
Chemicals Policy and Product Sustainability
Through the work of Stavroula Genikalioti, FEICA remained actively engaged in discussions relating to REACH, CLP and wider chemicals policy developments. FEICA actively contributed to discussions under the Critical Chemicals Alliance, primarily through its involvement in DUCC, bringing the downstream user perspective to policy discussions.
The association welcomed progress achieved through the Chemicals Omnibus VI package, particularly measures aimed at reducing regulatory complexity and providing greater legal certainty. At the same time, FEICA highlighted areas where additional simplification efforts remain necessary, particularly for downstream users, SMEs and mixture-based industries.
Further advocacy efforts focused on emerging policy areas including Digital Product Passports (DPPs), the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELVR), Synthetic Polymer Microparticles (SPM), and Debonding-on-Demand technologies. Across these discussions, FEICA consistently promoted proportionate, science-based and technology-neutral approaches that recognise the contribution of adhesives and sealants to product performance, safety, repairability and circularity.
Key Publications Released During for Download
Position Papers
- FEICA Position on the Circular Economy Act
- FEICA General Position and Principles on Digital Product Passports (DPPs)
- Achieving Defossilisation Through a Technology-Neutral Approach
- Adhesives and Sealants as Intermediate Products
- Position Paper on Debonding-on-Demand Technologies
- Biotech Act II: Achieving Defossilisation Through a Technology-Neutral Approach
Guidance Documents
- FEICA Guidance on PPWR Declarations of Conformity
- Updated FEICA Guidance on the Restriction of Synthetic Polymer Microparticles (SPM)
Member Resources and Technical Documents
- PPWR Webinar Recording
- PPWR Webinar Slides
- PPWR Webinar Q&A
- Additional technical, regulatory and advocacy resources are available under the section “Resources” of feica.eu
Looking Ahead
As Europe continues to shape its future industrial, sustainability and chemicals policies, FEICA will remain actively engaged in ensuring that the voice of the adhesives and sealants industry is heard. Through advocacy, technical guidance, stakeholder engagement and international collaboration, the association will continue to support its members while promoting the essential role that adhesives and sealants play in Europe's competitiveness, innovation and circular economy ambitions.
