IIW Commission XVI: Focus on Polymer Joining and Adhesive Technology

Ahead of the 79th IIW Annual Assembly & International Conference on Welding and Joining, which will take place in Salzburg, Austria, from July 12 through 17, 2026, the International Institute of Welding (IIW) is highlighting the work of Commission XVI – Polymer Joining and Adhesive Technology. The event will be held at Salzburg Congress and will bring together industry professionals, researchers, engineers, educators and young professionals in welding and joining technologies.

Commission XVI is dedicated to the fast-evolving field of polymer joining and adhesive bonding technology. In modern manufacturing, lightweight materials, hybrid structures and fibre-reinforced composites are gaining significance. As a result, the demand for reliable and efficient joining technologies continues to grow.

Connecting research, industry and application

The IIW Annual Assembly 2026 will place particular emphasis on closer collaboration between research, education and industry. According to the organisers, the 2026 edition will feature a renewed structure with a stronger focus on application-oriented topics, technical site visits and industry roundtables. In this context, Commission XVI makes an important contribution by pooling expertise, promoting technical exchange and supporting innovation in the field of polymer-based materials. Key topics include adhesive bonding processes, surface preparation techniques and joint design for polymer-based materials.

Relevance for modern manufacturing technologies

The topics addressed by Commission XVI are essential to ensuring the performance, durability and efficiency of modern applications, for example in the automotive industry, aerospace and other industrial sectors. Through research, discussion and international exchange, the Commission contributes to the development of new solutions for joining advanced material systems.

Polymer joining and adhesive bonding technology are becoming more significant, particularly in the context of multi-material design, lightweight construction and sustainable manufacturing concepts. Commission XVI provides an international forum in which experts from academia and industry can present and discuss current developments. 

IIW Website

(Source: International Insitute of Welding)