FEICA 2023: This year’s European Adhesive & Sealant event focused on achieving sustainability goals

The FEICA 2023 European Adhesive & Sealant Conference and EXPO took place at the PortAventura Convention Centre in Tarragona, Spain, from 13-15 September 2023 and was attended by almost 700 delegates. 

This year’s Conference Business Forum, titled ‘Industry Innovation for Sustainable Development’, explained Europe’s position in sustainable innovations, the upcoming regulations and how companies can become more competitive to be a leader in green industries. For instance, by reducing CO2 emissions in the value chain Europe can achieve a low or zero carbon footprint, which is essential for customers to achieve their sustainability goals. The Circular Economy has become key to driving value for customers and society. Our industry must, therefore, continue to lead in true innovation to sustain itself and grow. 

In addition to the Business Forum, parallel breakout sessions offered attendees a range of focus areas, such as food packaging adhesives, energy efficiency, hotmelts, recycling and bio-based building blocks for adhesives and sealants. These breakout sessions gave experts an opportunity to share their knowledge and inform about their innovative strategies on how to achieve the EU Green Deal goals. Attendance of the breakouts sessions were at an all-time high this year, with some breakout rooms almost overflowing. 

The Table Top Exhibition (EXPO) provided an opportunity for all producers, distributors, suppliers and service providers linked to the adhesive and sealant industry from all over the world to showcase their latest product innovations, developments and technologies. 

Guido Cami (Avisa) brought his two-year term to a conclusion at FEICA 2023. He stated, ‘The FEICA Conference and EXPO continues to address what’s most important to our industry and this year was again an immense success. I am confident that FEICA will continue to grow from strength to strength’. Incoming President Erik Dehasque (Sika) added ‘The FEICA Conference is becoming more and more relevant each year as it’s the most important event for our industry to gain essential insights into both the industry and the European regulatory landscape’. 

Kristel Ons, FEICA Secretary General, added, ‘FEICA, as an association, continues to deliver the highest possible value for the industry it represents and this is reflected by the high attendance year-over-year.’ 

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FEICA thanks its sponsors, media partners, speakers and moderators, exhibitors and all participants who attended and contributed towards the success of the 2023 FEICA Conference and EXPO. The 2024 FEICA Conference & EXPO will be held at Noordwijkerhout in the Netherlands, from 11 to 13 September 2024. Registration will open at the beginning of 2024. For more information, please visit the FEICA Conference & EXPO website via www.feica-conferences.com, www.feica.eu or e-mail: [email protected].

What attendees said: 

“FEICA’s conference in Tarragona was a very successful and unforgettable event. The presentations were useful and informative as they focused on what really matters to the adhesives and sealants industry. The whole industry was perfectly represented, and FEICA did an excellent job in welcoming everyone and making sure they got the most out of three well-filled days. From the point of view of a national association member, cooperation with FEICA is a real win-win situation. Our input is not a one-way street at FEICA but something we truly benefit from. Commitment pays off at FEICA.”

Martin Glöckner, Executive Director Regulatory Affairs, Deutsche Bauchemie e.V. 

“This year’s FEICA Conference was again everything we expected from it. The association’s yearly event, as well as FEICA membership, provides Sika with global networking opportunities, access to industry insights, up-to-date regulatory information and platforms for collaboration. It promotes innovation, knowledge sharing and best practices, and enhances market presence and competitiveness while keeping pace with advances and standards in the adhesives and sealants industry. We are pleased to share our expertise within the FEICA community and to be at the forefront of industry developments.”

Patricia Heidtman, Chief Innovation and Sustainability Manager, Sika AG