A front-row view of the industry’s biggest shifts
The pace of change in the automotive market is like nothing we’ve seen before. Electrification is obviously the headline shift, and while there’s no shortage of stories about delays or bankruptcies, the direction of travel is crystal clear. EVs are here to stay, and with them comes a demand for more specialised self-adhesive materials, particularly in areas like battery systems, thermal insulation and safety labeling.
Competition is heating up too, particularly with new EV manufacturers entering the scene from Asia. It’s pushing the entire industry to move faster, innovate smarter and deliver more — often with less. That’s where our solutions come in. They’re tried, tested and designed to perform under pressure — exactly what the market demands right now.
Sustainability is another big driver. OEMs and tier suppliers are under pressure to lower CO₂ emissions and comply with increasingly strict environmental and safety regulations. We’re helping them achieve that through thinner materials, solvent-free adhesives, and options with recycled content — without compromising performance.
And let’s not forget localisation. Companies are actively trying to secure their supply chains and avoid geopolitical risks. That means more regional production, more local sourcing and more agility. We support this with both our local manufacturing footprint and our global expertise — so no matter where our customers operate, we’re there.
Connecting the dots across the value chain
A big part of what I do is staying connected to the entire value chain. That means talking directly with OEMs and tier suppliers, understanding what the spec says and what’s actually needed in the real world. It also means working closely with converters and system integrators to understand what’s happening during production — and where we can help make things smoother, safer or more efficient.
These conversations help us capture market trends, identify gaps and stay ahead of legislation. But they also help us uncover smaller, practical insights. Once we have that input, our job is to turn it into something real and functional. And that’s never a one-person job. I work closely with R&D, supply chain, our coating plants and our colleagues in other divisions — like Performance Tapes, Intelligent Labels and Fasteners.
Sometimes the answer isn’t in-house — and that’s OK. When we see real value or expertise outside our business, I also help explore partnership or acquisition opportunities. For me, it’s about building the right ecosystem around every challenge—not just finding a solution, but the best one.
