FEICA: Support for the Green Deal
Jana Cohrs–Rahmoun, Executive Director Regulatory Affairs at FEICA, Association of the European Adhesive & Sealant Industry, outlines the situation at the market for adhesives.
How was the last year for the adhesives industry?
Jana Cohrs–Rahmoun: Every five years or so, FEICA publishes forecasts for the European adhesives and sealants industry. However, the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic made a forecast more difficult, and as a result a new FEICA Market Report has been commissioned to come out in a couple of months.
The FEICA market study is the only adhesives and sealants report based on primary research, drawing its data from direct interviews with stakeholders in the adhesive and sealant industry. The last study that was published predicted growth to EUR 22.2 billion by 2026, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6 % for 2021-26. Strong demand for safe, recyclable, sustainable adhesives and sealants products were predicted, where price and quality remain key. We are impatiently awaiting the results of the new report in Q2 2023 and will of course share the highlights of this new study with you.
What legislative developments are you currently monitoring?
Cohrs–Rahmoun: Although often ‘invisible’, adhesives and sealants play a crucial role in today’s society. FEICA’s support of the EU Green Deal remains very significant. The adhesives and sealants industry develops adhesives and sealants solutions that enable customers and industries to operate more sustainably. In this way, we enable sustainability and contribute to a circular economy. In support of the EU Green Deal, we are focusing on many issues such as the New Design Requirements and Consumer Rights for Electronics, the Repairability scope for smartphones and tablets, the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive, Revision of the Food Contact Materials (FCM) Legislation, the Constructions Products Regulation and Green Claims.
Our support of REACH remains far-reaching, and we are focusing, among other issues, on the Polymers’ registration, the Mixture Assessment Factor (MAF), Chemicals Use and Exposure, the Commission’s proposal to extend the Generic Risk Management Approach (GRA) and Polyurethane (diisocyanates) training following the new restriction.
The new EU restriction on diisocyanates, related to the safe use of products with a total monomeric diisocyanate concentration of above 0.1%, was adopted on 4 August 2020. FEICA, together with the diisocyanates producers and several other downstream associations, launched a Polyurethane (PU) training programme to ensure safe use by industrial and professional users all over Europe. The deadline to complete training is 24 August 2023. With the deadline approaching fast, it is important to spread this information! More details on all of our priorities and projects are available via www.feica.eu.
In 2023, FEICA will continue to actively support the efforts of the European Commission to develop a comprehensive regulatory framework that will help to protect human health and the environment, without losing the competitiveness and innovativeness of the European industry. We will also continue to monitor specific market areas such as food packaging and construction, as well as one component foams and electronics.
