Positions and Publications

Presentation Slides of the FEICA Webinar ‘Labelling Adhesives in Packaging Recycling’

During this FEICA webinar, we explored what labelling adhesives are, outlining their benefits, the ways they pass through the recycling processes and up-to-date test methods.

In case you missed the webinar, we have listed the key takeaways here:

1. Adhesives are designed to accommodate a wide range of label and packaging substrate combinations, ensuring versatility for various applications.
2. The webinar provided an in-depth explanation of relevant recycling processes, testing methods, and evaluation schemes that apply to adhesives in packaging.
3. The importance of adhesives’ releasability and/or recycling compatibility was emphasized, as these qualities are critical depending on the specific application.
4. The conclusion and recommendations highlighted the need for harmonized testing protocols across Europe. While European-level guidelines are being developed, it was recommended that testing and evaluation processes retain the flexibility to override these guidelines where appropriate.

The webinar recording is also available and can be viewed HERE.

FEICA submitted a response on the plans presented on 3 April during the 54th meeting of the Competent Authorities for REACH and CLP (CARACAL-54).

Annex 3 (of REACH Simplification position paper)

FEICA’s position on polymers

Annex 2 (of REACH Simplification position paper)

FEICA’s proposal for a regulatory roadmap

Annex 1 (of REACH Simplification position paper)

EU regulations affecting the adhesives and sealants industry

FEICA has published a position paper in the context of the PPWR regulation to clarify that adhesives do not need to comply to recycled content targets for plastics.

Adhesives are sometimes misidentified as plastic due to their polymeric content.

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This case study highlights the critical role of sealants in sustainable construction, emphasising their importance in reducing the carbon footprint of buildings. ​Key findings of tests conducted on buildings in Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Poland involving one-component foam (OCF) demonstrate the effectiveness of sealants in supporting sustainable construction practices.

The FEICA Statutes and by-laws modifications were approved by the General Assembly on 11 September 2024.

Context: 

The FEICA Constitution (Statutes) and by-laws were first published in Belgium on 26 October 2006. The latest modification was approved at the Extraordinary General Assembly in May 2021.

In 1972, FEICA (Fédération Européenne des Industries de Colles et Adhésifs) was formally founded at the first General Assembly in Rome. Since then, FEICA has continued to grow and expand its areas of interest. Although for many years a federation of national adhesive and sealants associations, in 2007 FEICA expanded the membership structure to include direct company members (DCMs) and associate company members (ACMs).

In April 2020, the FEICA secretariat and office was relocated near the premises of the European Chemical Council (CEFIC) in Brussels. This enables FEICA to be even more closely involved with the European Commission and other EU institutions, to build relationships with the chemical producer- and other chemical user associations, and advance the interests of the adhesive and sealant industry in general. FEICA celebrated its 50th Anniversary in 2022.

At the beginning of 2021, FEICA published a guide to align stakeholders on terminology and definitions to use for adhesives in plastic packaging recycling. This document has now been updated to also include paper packaging .

Several different stakeholders publish guidelines on recycling, including requirements for adhesives in recycling. Divergent terminology is used in these guidance papers, and this terminology also often differs from what is used in the adhesives industry and by users of adhesives.

In order to assist stakeholders in furthering a common understanding of adhesives and the requirements that are important for adhesives in recycling, FEICA published ‘Terminology and definitions to be used in the context of adhesives in the recycling of packaging’.

A common language and technically sound definitions will help to ensure a better understanding amongst stakeholders and an easier exchange of expertise.