A good start to a great year ahead
This year is shaping up to be one of the most eventful and exciting periods for some time. ASC’s team has been busying itself preparing a raft of new programs, resources, and services –as well as a new strategic plan – to strengthen your competitive position as a member of ASC
But rest assured we also have plenty more news to come in 2026... The video above and the pages that follow tease just a few of the things we have planned, including our new benchmarking survey filled with useful metrics and business intelligence to keep you informed and
updated about issues affecting the industry. Our annual Convention is heading to Nashville in April and make sure you don’t forget the Executive Leadership Conference is moving to June to make way for the World Adhesive and Sealant Conference in the UK this September.
Markets have had a tough time of late, but are things starting to look up?
Industry facing challenges but ASC hopeful for a strong 2026
Tough conditions have mired the adhesive and sealant market over the past few years, stymying growth and investment and leaving companies big and small in a state of uncertainty.
“We're seeing tariff uncertainty, elevated inflation and interest rates, and volatile supply chains, and we'll continue to operate in
this challenging environment in the year ahead,” says Bill Allmond, ASC President.
“I think it's going to be another year of caution for the North American adhesive and sealant industry.”
“Some are referring to this period as the ‘Great Pause’ for U.S. manufacturing,” he says. “We face a difficult
tariff environment, a freeze on wage growth, and a freeze on investment as well. The outlook is not horrible, but certainly not where we want it to be.”
Allmond also points to challenges in the current regulatory environment.
“On the one hand, we've seen big victories on tax reform in the last year that will help enable
potential growth, investment, and employment. But, on the other hand, we are also seeing tariffs that are undermining growth. Many are reluctant to invest in the U.S. right now. The feedback I'm getting from ASC members is that the majority of them would like to see those policies reversed.”
With the industry facing difficult conditions, it's hard to say what's in store for 2026, notes Allmond.
This is one of the reasons why ASC is launching a quarterly Pulse Report, an initiative that aims to gauge members' views on how markets and behaviors are changing Despite the tough market environment, ASC is determined to begin 2026 on a positive note, however. Not only has the latest Long Range Plan just been launched – outlining the strategic priorities for the association through to 2030 – but there are several fantastic events
planned for this year. First, there’s the Annual Convention & EXPO in April (see page 6); the Executive Leadership Conference in Park City, Utah, in June; and then the World Adhesive & Sealant Conference 2026 being held in London, UK, in September. ASC looks forward to seeing many of you at these events and having the opportunity to engage with, and support, our membership in 2026… whatever it may bring.
Tariffs continue to affect the industry and remain an area of concern for ASC members
ASC unveils its strategic vision through to end of the decade
ASC is pleased to announce the official launch of its new strategic plan, outlining its key areas of focus to the end of the decade. The latest three-year plan is targeting three strategic priorities: championing member interests and enabling advocacy excellence; driving industry growth and innovation; and
ensuring the long-term vitality and leadership of the ASC.
With the help of Scarlet Oak Consulting, a strategy consulting firm based in Washington DC, ASC conducted numerous member interviews, surveys, and hosted peer groups to determine the what the main areas of focus should be for the years ahead.
These were then assessed and shortlisted by ASC’s Strategic Planning Committee before being approved by the Board of Directors.
The new plan will see ASC look to increase its advocacy efforts and ensure members are frequently and properly updated on regulatory and legislative issues.
ASC will also work on enhancing its communication with members and ensure it remains the primary educational resource for professionals working in the adhesive and sealant industry. Many of these measures will be rolled out in stages, and ASC has outlined various goals it wants to achieve throughout 2026. Information about the new strategy is available on ASC’s website.
To help with the plans, ASC has enlisted the help of David Wawer, a regulatory expert and seasoned industry regulatory veteran with over 40 years of experience in the chemical industry, as well as a marketing firm that will thoroughly audit ASC’s activities to optimize how it delivers key messaging to its membership.
ASC is also launching its Pulse Survey, where
members will be asked for their comments and insight into how their businesses are performing from an employment and production standpoint. All this valuable data will be tracked on a quarterly basis.
In the video below, Bill Allmond, ASC President, provides an overview of the new Long Range Plan and explains how ASC is increasing the value of membership now and into the future.
Convention agenda is hitting all the right notes in Nashville
ASC is looking forward to hosting the largest official gathering of the adhesive and sealant sector, which is taking place this April in Nashville, Tennessee –the capital of country music and home of the Grand Ole Opry!
Come and join ASC and more than 700 industry professionals at the 2026 Annual Convention
& EXPO at the Grand Hyatt, Nashville, from April 20-22, 2026. Remember, the regular rate registration ends March 27, 2026. Fees will increase by 20% after that date.
The unmissable threeday convention will not only feature in-depth presentations from leading experts and speakers, networking
opportunities, and our popular annual EXPO, but two short courses (Caulks & Sealants and Pressure Sensitive Adhesives) co-located at the event.
The Convention features five keynote sessions, covering the big issues and trends affecting the industry. Tuesday’s opening keynote from Kalser Yang, CEO and
Co-Founder of Platypus Labs, will focus on innovation and leadership, with many actionable takeaways that can help you achieve growth.
Later that afternoon, Allmond will announce this year’s recipients of ASC’s prestigious Innovation Awards and provide a State of the Association Address.
On Wednesday, Anirban Basu, Chairman and CEO of Sage Policy Group, Inc., will provide his economic
outlook and explore what may happen in 2026 and beyond. This will be followed by an enlightening session on manufacturing and supply chain digitization with Professor David Simchi-Levy of MIT, and another on how adhesives are driving product sustainability with Elizabeth Staab, Global Packaging Sustainability Manager at H.B. Fuller. There will also be a number of concurrent
sessions covering innovation, product development, technical advances & trends, enduse applications, and much more.
And if that’s not enough, attendees will also be invited to join a Nashville Honky Tonkthemed welcome reception and the ASC Gives Back Community Service Project that will be producing food parcels for communities across Middle and West Tennessee.
See you there!
Nashville, Tennessee, will welcome about 700 ASC members in April 2026
Places are still available for April Caulks & Sealants training
Designed for adhesive and sealant professionals who are working with manufacturers, suppliers, and end-user companies, our upcoming short course on caulk and sealants will offer indepth explanations of these important technologies.
Co-located alongside the Annual Convention & EXPO this April, the
one-and-a-half-day technical training will help delegates gain a better understanding of the many functions and applications of these critical products.
Topics include: market and applications overviews in building and construction and transportation; a technical overview; sealant types by
chemistry; formulating with additives; specification testing; and predictive testing for environmental exposure.
Click to view the full agenda and to find out more details about the presenters and the venue.
Registration ends March 27, 2026, but there are limited spaces available!
Course offers comprehensive introduction to PSA markets
The Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSA) Short Course, starting April 20 during the Annual Convention, will provide valuable insight into this important field, as well as an understanding of formulations and the test methods.
A packed program will include 13 sessions featuring leading speakers and industry
experts, and provide a comprehensive overview of PSA technologies, trends and the latest developments
As well as a detailed introduction to PSA markets, there will also be presentations on formulating waterborne, hot melt, solvent and UV cured adhesives for all applications; characterization; PSA
products and construction; markets; as well as innovations, regulatory, and sustainability efforts
All short course participants are invited to join the Annual Convention Welcome Reception on Monday evening April 14 and the EXPO on Tuesday night to network with the industry.
