By Morgan Bates, KTP Associate
The setting for the 4th International Conference on Industrial Applications of Adhesives in the beautiful town of Guimarães – known as the birthplace of Portugal – felt like the perfect location for my first solo conference experience. Held at the stunning Pousada Mosteiro de Guimarães, the event blended a truly historic venue with the cutting‑edge world of adhesive bonding technologies. It was unlike any conference I’ve attended before.
There were so many insightful talks that it’s difficult to narrow down specific highlights, but two stood out. It was a real pleasure to hear the plenary from Dr. Andreas Lutz (DuPont) on next‑generation automotive adhesives, and an equally engaging presentation from Dr. Nao Terasaki (AIST, Japan), who explored alternative approaches to circularity in bonded materials with both depth and humour.
One of the most valuable aspects of the conference for me was the wealth of networking opportunities and informal discussions baked into the schedule. The poster session, in particular, gave me a chance to properly connect with my peers and showcase my work. My poster was well received by the organisers, who appreciated my enthusiasm and positive energy around the subject — which isn’t hard, considering how passionate I am about this company and about debondable adhesives. It’s rare for a conference to feel genuinely collaborative, but IAA2026 delivered exactly that vibe.
Most importantly, I had the opportunity to share the great work we’re doing at Structural Adhesives Limited with a wider European audience. For a microbusiness, this kind of visibility is invaluable, and it was a privilege to represent the company at such a respected conference.
Outside of the conference, I explored Guimarães and quickly understood why it’s considered the cradle of Portuguese civilisation. The old town’s narrow, winding streets, historic buildings and warm atmosphere created the perfect backdrop for such an inspiring event.
My attendance at IAA2026 reminded me why I love being in this field. The generosity of spirit and the shared desire for collaboration aligned perfectly with the company’s own values, and I’m excited to see how new partnerships and ideas evolve from this experience. I left feeling inspired, informed and energised about the direction our industry is heading.
And honestly? I can’t wait for IAA2028!
