The book, “Adhesive Bonding Technology in the 21st Century - Synergy of Technological and Ecological Potentials,” by Bernd Mayer, Ph.D., and Andreas Groß, Ph.D., of Fraunhofer IFAM in Bremen, Germany, was commissioned by FEICA on the occasion of FEICA’s 50th anniversary. The publication is intended for a broad audience, and its objective is to provide a comprehensive view of the adhesive and sealant industry in terms of its applications, technologies, innovations, and trends.

“Adhesive Bonding Technology in the 21st Century” presents the key advantages adhesive bonding technology has compared to that of other joining technologies and explains how adhesive bonding is a joining technology that can serve numerous functions, such as force transmission and compensation for the dynamics of the different parts that are joined. The book also explains the economic importance of adhesives and sealants. The European adhesive and sealant industry makes a significant contribution to the European economy (€17 billion), number of employees in the industry (more than 45,000), and market share (almost 35% of the global market). Indications are that the industry’s economic significance will continue to grow. Simultaneously, the overall trend of adhesives and sealants is toward a more energy- and material-efficient production, resulting in a lower carbon footprint.

The core of the book takes a comprehensive look at adhesive bonding with respect to product safety law and overall circular economy potential. It concludes with a positive view towards the future. Mayer and Groß foresee adhesively bonded products serving as long as possible in a life of safe use and allowing recycling at the end of their product life.

Groß was a keynote speaker at the 2022 FEICA European Adhesive and Sealant Conference & EXPO, set in the Grand Elysée Hotel, Hamburg, Germany, from September 14-16, 2022. In his presentation, he highlighted the indisputable performance of adhesive bonding when it comes to safety and eco-balanced efficiency and explained how translating knowledge from the expert level to the public domain is imperative for the benefits of adhesive and sealant technology to become recognized.

Kristel Ons, FEICA secretary general, said, “This amazing book gives an overview of the adhesives and sealants industry in terms of what it has accomplished so far, and what it can achieve in the next 50 years and beyond.”

For more information, visit: www.feica.eu.