Afera European Tape Week in Porto welcomes 240 participants

For five days, Porto became a hub for knowledge sharing, market insights and networking across the international adhesive tape industry. With 240 participants, the second Afera European Tape Week brought the Tape College and Annual Conference together in one successful event, organised by Lejeune Association Management on behalf of Afera.

Held from 21 to 25 September at the Pestana Douro Riverside, the event connected specialists, business leaders and suppliers from across the tape value chain. It was a week of challenging questions, practical learning, new conversations and renewed relationships and a major undertaking behind the scenes.

Two events, one connected industry

The Tape College explored the materials, adhesives, coating, converting, applications and testing methods that underpin pressure-sensitive adhesive tape technology. The Annual Conference, themed “Resilience and competitiveness in the global tape business”, widened the lens to economics, geopolitics, market competitiveness, sustainability, regulation and the future of the industry.

Industry knowledge and international cooperation on stage in Porto.

Highlights included economic perspectives from Andrea Boltho, a keynote by Alex Chausovsky on geopolitical uncertainty and tariffs, and a lively Captains of Industry discussion moderated by Alex, with Andrea Boltho, Richard D. Holder, Giovanni Scognamiglio and Daniela Giusti. Afera President Evert Smit also addressed regional market trends and the global tape industry network.

The Captains of Industry panel brought different market perspectives into one conversation.

Regulatory affairs: a growing strategic priority for Afera

As European legislation becomes increasingly complex, regulatory affairs is developing into one of Afera’s most important strategic pillars. In Porto, Afera regulatory affairs specialist Pablo Englebienne gave an outstanding overview of current and upcoming European regulatory developments, what they mean for adhesive tape manufacturers and how Afera’s Regulatory Working Group is responding. His Annual Conference presentation was among the highest-rated of the event, receiving 4.7 out of 5 for presentation quality and 4.6 for relevance. The strong response underlined the value of Afera helping members understand regulatory changes, share expertise and work together on practical industry responses.

Sustainability was another important focus, with Karla Pastor and Sreeparna Das from the Afera team highlighting the progress and ambitions of Afera’s Flagship Sustainability Project. This initiative brings members together around industry-wide challenges, including product carbon footprint assessment and release liner waste. The TACK product carbon footprint calculation tool is currently being reviewed in light of member feedback and its latest update, with the aim of improving its practical value and encouraging wider adoption. Regulatory affairs and sustainability remain distinct workstreams, both essential to strengthening the industry’s future resilience.

The feedback speaks for itself

Participants rated both the Tape College and the Annual Conference 4.4 out of 5 overall in their respective Slido evaluations. The interactive format generated 165 audience questions during Tape College and 79 during the Annual Conference. Delegates particularly valued practical insights, clear technical explanations, economic and regulatory perspectives, and opportunities to connect with peers.

In a poll of 100 respondents, 68% preferred continuing the combined European Tape Week format, while 32% favoured returning to two separate events — valuable feedback for future planning, rather than a final decision.

The fully booked Tabletop Exhibition brought suppliers and delegates together.

A first exhibition — fully booked

Afera’s first Tabletop Exhibition added a practical dimension to the week, bringing suppliers and delegates together around products, technologies and solutions. Its fully booked debut underlined the appetite for direct contact across the value chain.

The week was also made possible by the generous support of its sponsors and participating companies. Platinum sponsors included H.B. Fuller, Loparex, Valco Melton and Nowofol. Gold sponsors included Synthomer, Elite Cameron, Ichemco, BASF, Colquímica Adhesives, Sekisui Alveo, Mondi, Henkel, Uncountable and Indafor. Bostik and Organik Kimya supported company-branded items. We thank all sponsors, exhibitors and contributors for helping bring the event to life.

The conversations that continue after the sessions

Beyond the programme, Porto offered countless opportunities to reconnect — from coffee-break conversations and exhibition encounters to memorable evenings together. The atmosphere at the WOW dinner captured what makes association events special: professional connections becoming genuine personal relationships.

The people behind European Tape Week

Delivering two international events in one week took months of preparation and close cooperation with Afera’s leadership, committees, speakers, suppliers and hotel partners. At Lejeune Association Management, Secretary General Astrid Lejeune and Management Assistant Stephanie Feith worked closely with Afera communications manager Bathsheba Fulton to coordinate the many moving parts — from programme and registrations to speaker communication, logistics and the delegate experience. Their work was supported by the wider Lejeune and Afera teams and many committed partners.

The result illustrates what professional association management can make possible: not simply a well-run conference, but a platform where a specialist industry shares knowledge, debates its challenges and builds connections that last well beyond the event itself.

The Afera team at European Tape Week 2026 in Porto. From left to right: Sreeparna Das, Karla Pastor, Bathsheba Fulton, Astrid Lejeune, Stephanie Feith and Pablo Englebienne.

With 240 participants, a fully booked exhibition and encouraging feedback, Afera European Tape Week 2026 leaves Porto with plenty to build on.