Lorna Williams

Lorna Williams

CEO of the Adhesives & Sealants Association in the UK & Ireland (BASA)

Lorna Williams is currently CEO of the Adhesives & Sealants Association (BASA), a trade association for the Adhesives and Sealants industry in the UK and Ireland with just under 100 member companies. Her Consultancy company is active in the Chemicals and Materials sector and holds the contract to run the BASA Secretariat. With a background in Materials Science and over 30 years’ experience in several technical and commercial roles related to the adhesives and sealants and construction products markets, Lorna is heavily involved with aspects of UK, European and International standardisation and is actively involved with FEICA, the European Adhesives and Sealants Association.

Between Alignment and Autonomy: Navigating the UK Adhesives & Sealants Market in an Era of Regulatory Uncertainty

In this regional update, Lorna Williams, CEO of BASA, examines the evolving UK adhesives and sealants (A&S) market through the lens of growing complexity and uncertainty. Alongside an overview of current market demand, the session will highlight which end-use sectors are driving growth and which are facing ongoing decline, reflecting broader economic and industrial shifts.
While Brexit created the opportunity for a more agile and competitive regulatory framework, the reality for manufacturers has been far less clear. Ongoing divergence from EU legislation, often without a defined long-term direction, has introduced duplication, increased costs, and operational uncertainty for businesses trading across borders.

Breakout Session I – Regional Updates – 16 September 2026 – 15:30 – 16:00 – Room Fleming – F3