Afera, the European Adhesive Tape Association, is set to host its inaugural European Tape Week from 22 to 26 September 2025 at the Hyatt Regency in Thessaloniki, Greece. This landmark event consolidates Afera’s flagship gatherings—the 68th Annual Conference, the 11th Technical Seminar and various Committee and Sustainability Project Meetings—into a single, cohesive, linear programme. The three sub-events may be attended individually or collectively, with the aim of fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange across the adhesive tape value chain.
A unified platform for the tape industry
European Tape Week is designed to bring together professionals from all facets of the adhesive tape sector, including tape manufacturers, suppliers, converters, distributors, researchers, end users and national adhesive and tape groups. By merging technical and strategic discussions with industry and field leaders under the theme “Navigating the future of adhesive tapes: Transforming challenges into opportunities,” the event offers a comprehensive overview of current obstacles, demands and innovations within the business. Attendees can expect a blend of expert presentations, panel discussions and networking opportunities, all tailored to address the evolving needs of the European tape community.
“European Tape Week promises to be the most engaging and insightful gathering for adhesive tapes manufacturers and all other organisations across the tape business value chain,” Afera Secretary-General Astrid Lejeune emphasised. “By uniting the entire community, the event creates a neutral forum where competitors and colleagues alike can openly discuss trends, share knowledge and work on common challenges.”
Programme highlights
The week-long event kicks off with Committee Meetings on Monday, setting the stage for collaborative discussions. The 11th Technical Seminar follows on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, featuring 20-minute expert talks on topics such as pressure-sensitive adhesive formulations, flame-retardant materials, recycling-friendly polymers, UV-curing techniques and AI-driven tape technology. A joint plenary session will bridge the Technical Seminar and Annual Conference, focusing on overarching themes like regulation, sustainability and carbon footprint assessment.
From Wednesday afternoon to Friday, the 68th Annual Conference delves into strategic insights and market foresight. Sessions will explore European and global economic forecasts, industrial competitiveness, the battery technology revolution and the packaging tape market. Key topics include raw material price volatility, manufacturing resilience, regulatory shifts and strategic innovation planning. Each session concludes with a panel discussion, ensuring diverse perspectives and practical takeaways.
A notable feature is the introduction of Afera’s TACK tool, which enables standardised calculation of product carbon footprints, positioning sustainability as both a responsibility and an innovation driver. Furthermore, three CEOs from the adhesive tape industry—Carlo Maria Righetti, CEO of NAR (Italy), Sam Strijckmans, CEO of Nitto EMEA and Executive Vice President of Nitto Denko Corporation (Belgium), and Melanie Ott, CEO of artimelt AG (Switzerland)—are set to speak individually about strategy in the current market.
Registration and participation
Registration for European Tape Week is now open. Attendees can choose to participate in the Technical Seminar, the Annual Conference or both, with combination tickets offered at discounted rates to encourage full-week engagement. Accommodation at the Hyatt Regency Thessaloniki can be booked at Afera rates until 1 July.