The FEICA 2025 Conference & EXPO will take center stage at the Kursaal Congress Centre in the picturesque city of Donostia–San Sebastián, Spain, from Sept. 10–12, 2025. This year’s event brings together leading industry professionals to explore the future of adhesive and sealant technologies, focusing on key themes such as innovation, sustainability, and regulatory compliance.

The FEICA 2025 Business Forum and breakout sessions will focus on the theme “Boosting a Competitive Industry: Innovation and Sustainability for a Stronger Europe,” which reflects the growing importance of adhesives and sealants in driving forward Europe’s industrial competitiveness. The program has been carefully crafted to provide actionable insights into these topics, with over 40 technical sessions, networking opportunities, and focused sessions on the latest industry innovations and regulatory trends. Prospective delegates can register at www.feica-conferences.com.

FEICA Seminar

Open exclusively to FEICA members, a seminar titled “A Business Perspective on Regulatory and Sustainability Challenges” will take place on Wednesday afternoon. It will provide valuable insights into how FEICA’s working groups and task forces support member companies in addressing evolving regulatory and sustainability demands.

The program begins with a welcome and introduction by Henkel’s Dr. Michael Frank, chair of the FEICA Regulatory & Sustainability Board. Following the introduction, Arnaud Jourdy of Bostik, chair of the FEICA REACH Task Force, and Paula Diaz, FEICA senior manager of public and regulatory affairs, will present “Navigating the REACH Revision: Challenges and Opportunities for Adhesives and Sealants Companies.” This will be followed by Martin Gloeckner of IVK, chair of the FEICA SPM Restriction Task Force, who will discuss “Microparticles under REACH: Compliance Strategies and Industry Implications.” Gloeckner’s presentation will be followed by “Digital Product Passport (DPP): Where We Stand and Next Steps,” presented by BASF’s Dr. Martin Klatt, member of the FEICA DPP Task Force. Dr. Annett Linemann of H.B. Fuller, chair of the FEICA Mobility & Electronics Working Group, will speak on “Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR): Repair, Debonding and Recycling.” The seminar will conclude with closing remarks from Dr. Michael Frank.

A welcome cocktail reception for all registered participants, guests, and EXPO passholders will take place on Wednesday evening.

Business Forum

Thursday kicks off with “Boosting a Competitive Industry: Innovation and Sustainability for a Stronger Europe,” the Business Forum that features three forward‑thinking keynotes followed by a live panel. Jonathan Holslag, professor of International Politics, Free University Brussels and mayor of Tienen, Belgium, will begin the forum with his presentation, “A Steady Course in a Turbulent World,” which frames Europe’s geopolitical horizon. Sonja Jost, CEO of DUDE CHEM GmbH, will follow Holslag with “Building the New, Transforming the Old: A Blueprint for Industrial Reinvention,” outlining how nimble R&D can refresh legacy sectors. Timo Unger, senior manager sustainability and environmental affairs at Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre GmbH will follow with the presentation, “The Challenge to Develop Truly Sustainable Vehicles,” exploring greener design pathways. A panel discussion with all the presenters will follow, moderated by leading event host Anne De Baetzelier, who will guide the keynote speakers through an interactive panel, synthesizing insights on how innovation and sustainability together can sharpen Europe’s competitive edge.

Breakout Sessions

Thursday afternoon features parallel breakout sessions that are designed to dive deep into key aspects of the adhesive industry. Featured topics include adhesive and sealant international markets, research and development, digital transformation, industry practices and perspectives, new approaches to structural bonding, adhesives for sustainable packaging, regulatory and certification, and pre-treatment and adhesive processing. Breakout sessions will also be offered on Friday morning, with topics including debonding strategies, industry outlook and technologies, solutions for modern construction, trends in hot-melt adhesives, and debondable adhesives for circular automotive designs.

Master Class and Expert Sessions

One of the standout features of the conference is the Master Class on Regulatory Change Management with Dennis Bankmann, independent scientific consultant at Emerging Motif. The class will take place on Friday morning and will provide a deep dive that will help attendees understand the regulatory changes and their impact on product development, market access, and overall industry practices. Designed for both executives and professionals, the master class will examine how rapid change impacts all areas of an organization — from manufacturing to sales — and share strategies for effective change management. Featuring insights from FEICA members and industry experts, it offers a vital opportunity for professionals to identify blind spots and lead successful transformation.

EXPO: The Place for Networking and Discovery

In addition to the comprehensive conference program, FEICA 2025 will host an EXPO with international exhibitors showcasing the latest in adhesive technologies, raw materials, machinery, and services. This provides an opportunity for attendees to engage with industry leaders, discover new innovations, and establish new business relationships.

The EXPO will take place starting on Wednesday, Sept. 10 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m., followed by the Welcome Cocktail Reception. It will open again on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 9:00 a.m. and will run until 5:30 p.m. It will reopen on Friday, Sept. 12, and will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Social and Networking Events

The FEICA 2025 social program provides ample opportunities for attendees to network and relax, including the Welcome Cocktail Reception on Wednesday evening and a conference dinner on Thursday evening. This highly anticipated “Night in San Sebastián” dinner will take attendees on a culinary journey through the city’s renowned gastronomic culture. Throughout the event, coffee breaks, lunch sessions, and informal networking moments will foster meaningful connections and discussions.

For additional information about the FEICA 2025 Conference & EXPO, visit FEICA’s website at www.feica-conferences.com and www.feica.eu.