Sep 10, 2025
Sourcing Compliant PU Adhesives Under EU Diisocyanate Restriction
For European chemical buyers and suppliers, the EU diisocyanate restriction under REACH. It took effect in August 2023, has reshaped the adhesives landscape. Companies that relied on polyurethane (PU) adhesives have already decided. Whether to invest in ongoing employee training to stay compliant or to transition to safer, isocyanate-free alternatives.
While many large players acted early, a surprising number of small and mid-sized businesses are still catching up, managing compliance, optimizing their sourcing, and exploring better-performing options. This article takes stock of how the industry has shifted since 2023 and what buyers should know about today’s alternatives and innovations in safer adhesive formulations.
The EU Diisocyanate Restriction and Why It Matters
The EU’s REACH restriction, effective August 24, 2023, mandates training for handling adhesives with more than 0.1% diisocyanates. The rule was introduced for good reason because diisocyanate chemicals, found in PU foams and adhesives. That can cause skin irritation, allergies, and even occupational asthma. In fact, over 5,000 cases of work-related illness from diisocyanate exposure were reported in Europe in a single year.
To curb these hazards, the EU now requires that any industrial or professional use of products containing more than 0.1% diisocyanates by weight must come with comprehensive training and certification for the workers involved. This training is not a one-time box to tick. It must be renewed at least every five years and conducted by qualified experts.
For European companies relying on PU adhesives, the implications are immediate. You can still use your go-to adhesive, but not without investing time and resources into employee training and compliance documentation. The rule has impacted many industries, from automotive to construction, where PU adhesives are common.
Exploring Alternatives to PU Adhesives
As companies move away from traditional polyurethane adhesives, a growing range of safer, isocyanate-free formulations has emerged. Some are well-established and others are more innovative. Epoxy adhesives remain a go-to for high-strength structural bonding, offering durability and excellent impact resistance, though they require careful mixing and have a set working time.
Acrylic adhesives, often methyl methacrylates, are prized for fast curing, strong bonds on metals and plastics, and the ability to join dissimilar materials without primer, making them a versatile alternative. Cyanoacrylates, or “super glues,” have also evolved with tougher, odorless variants that are more resilient and workplace-friendly, well-suited for quick, mid-strength bonds. Silane-modified polymers (SMPs) combine the elasticity of silicones with the strength of polyurethanes in a paintable, solvent-free, moisture-curing formulation that is ideal for construction and automotive applications.
Finally, bio-based adhesives derived from renewable materials like starch, lignin, or vegetable oils are gaining traction for lightweight, non-structural uses and appeal to sustainability goals, though they are not yet as strong as synthetic alternatives. Each formulation has trade-offs, but the key takeaway is this: sourcing adhesives that comply with the EU diisocyanate restriction no longer means compromising on performance.
Why Sourcing Feels Complicated
Switching products is one thing. Finding the right supplier, ensuring compliance documentation, and coordinating across regions, that’s where complexity often slows teams down.
Even buyers who know what alternatives they want often find themselves limited to a handful of familiar suppliers. But there are often many more suitable options available; they’re just harder to find or vet.
Embracing Change and Staying Ahead
Nearly two years after the EU diisocyanate restriction came into force, the adhesive market has moved, but not everyone has fully caught up. Buyers who adapted early have already reaped the benefits of safer, more innovative adhesives, while others are still navigating the transition or fine-tuning their sourcing strategies. What hasn’t changed is the complexity: finding the right product, ensuring it’s truly compliant, and uncovering all your supplier options still takes time and expertise.
CheMondis combines digital tools with hands-on support to help you stay ahead, bringing you not just the three suppliers you know, but the twenty-two you didn’t know you were missing. Explore how we can help you close the gap between regulatory compliance and competitive advantage, without sacrificing performance or peace of mind.
Sources:
- European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
- FEICA – Association of the European Adhesive & Sealant Industry
- European Commission – Occupational Safety Reports
Aug 18, 2025
In 2025, cosmetic ingredient sourcing in Europe is at a turning point. A wave of regulatory change is coming, which Cosmetics Europe calls a “regulatory tsunami”. REACH revisions are due by the end of 2025, and updates to the EU Cosmetics Regulation are expected soon.
At the same time, documentation demands are increasing. For procurement teams, the stakes are high: can you trust the documents you receive, or will gaps lead to disruptions?
Regulatory Overhaul for Cosmetic Ingredient Sourcing
The European Commission is reviewing the EU Cosmetics Regulation 1223/2009. A REACH reform proposal is also in progress. This includes shorter registration validity (ten years), expanded polymer requirements, and mandatory Digital Product Passports (DPPs).
Changes like Commission Regulation (EU) 2025/877 will start on 1 September 2025, tightening bans on CMR substances and other ingredients.
GMP Expectations Remain High:
- EU law (Regulation 1223/2009, Article 8) requires adherence to Good Manufacturing Practices. Compliance with ISO 22716 shows GMP conformity.
Documentation Obligations:
- Responsible Persons must keep detailed Product Information Files (PIFs). This includes safety assessments, CoAs, and proof of GMP compliance, accessible for at least ten years.
Supply chain documentation is rising as firms prepare for more digital tools like DPPs and digital SDS.
Key Challenges for Procurement Teams in 2025
- Regulatory Complexity & Shifting Deadlines
- Multiple reforms (Cosmetics Regulation, Fitness Check, and REACH updates) create fluid timelines, making supplier documentation delays risky.
- GMP Certification Ambiguity
- Not all suppliers adopt ISO 22716 or provide the necessary PIF documentation. This leaves procurement unsure if products meet GMP standards.
- REACH and Registration Validity Risks
- If supplier REACH dossiers lose validity, procurement may struggle to find compliant alternatives, especially as registration periods shrink.
- Inconsistent CoAs and Chain-of-Custody Data
- Variations in formats and completeness hinder internal reviews, especially regarding chain-of-custody transparency.
How CheMondis Strengthens Cosmetic Ingredient Sourcing
CheMondis offers a technology-enabled, expert-backed supplier discovery platform that clarifies documentation without overpromising.
- AI-Powered Data Aggregation: Quickly access supplier information globally, highlighting GMP compliance (per ISO 22716), REACH registration status, and CoA availability.
- Expert Curation: Our compliance team verifies documentation, ensuring authenticity amid regulatory complexity.
- Transparent Supplier Profiles: Differentiate between manufacturers and intermediaries, show chain-of-custody details, and flag potential weaknesses (e.g., approaching REACH expiry).
- Balanced Sourcing Support: Connect with global suppliers while meeting European documentation standards
With CheMondis, procurement teams gain greater supply chain compliance visibility, enabling quick, confident sourcing decisions.
Practical Steps for European Procurement Teams
- Use a Documentation Checklist
- Current REACH registration numbers, CoAs, and indications of DPP or digital SDS when relevant.
- Prioritize Supplier Transparency
- Note if the supplier is the manufacturer or a distributor. Request upstream documentation or audit evidence.
- Track Regulatory Reform Timelines
- Align sourcing cycles with known deadlines, like REACH reform or the 1 September 2025 implementation of Regulation 2025/877.
- Mitigate Supply Risk with Verified Partners
- Especially when sourcing from high-volume markets, they require documented REACH compliance, chain of custody evidence, and timely CoAs to reduce disruption risk.
Strategic Takeaway: Turning Documentation into Competitive Advantage
In 2025, successful cosmetic ingredient sourcing in Europe depends less on price and more on the ability to verify documentation and compliance proactively. Uncertainties around GMP, REACH registration, and ingredient bans require clear visibility. Procurement teams that can quickly assess and trust supplier documentation will position their brands ahead of disruptions.
Aug 18, 2025
The EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) will be enforced in December 2025. Food manufacturing procurement managers have a choice: adapt their supplier networks for traceability or risk losing market access.
The EUDR is more than a sustainability guideline. It sets legal duties for all operators and traders who sell relevant products in the EU market. The focus is now on raw materials. This includes high-risk commodities such as cocoa beans, green coffee, soy, and palm oil. These ingredients typically come from regions with intricate land use histories. They also involve informal value chains and have poor documentation.
While enforcement has been delayed from its original December 2024 deadline, this shift has not removed pressure. Supplier qualification and documentation alignment have only grown more urgent.
The EUDR Compliance Landscape: Why Raw Materials are in Focus
The EUDR seeks to cut the EU’s role in global deforestation. By doing so, EUDR makes sure that products sold are deforestation-free and legally made. It targets seven key commodities: cocoa, coffee, soy, palm oil, rubber, timber, and cattle.
The regulation explicitly includes both primary goods and derivative products. For food manufacturers, this means a range of raw and semi-processed ingredients now fall under scrutiny. Examples include:
- Cocoa beans and semi-finished cocoa mass from Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, and Nigeria
- Green coffee from Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam
- Crude and refined palm oil from Indonesia and Malaysia
- Soybeans and soy derivatives (e.g., soybean meal, protein concentrate) from Brazil and Argentina
These materials are the key ingredients in many food products. They are used in sweets, baked goods, dairy, and meat substitutes. If they can’t be linked to a specific farm that was deforestation-free as of December 2020, they won’t meet EU compliance standards anymore.
In July 2025, the European Parliament rejected the Commission’s plan for a country risk classification system. This system would have labeled some origins as “low risk.”
As a result:
- No countries currently benefit from an exemption.
- Every operator must perform full due diligence on every relevant shipment.
- Traceability down to the plot of land remains mandatory.
Procurement Challenges: Raw Material Compliance in Practice
EUDR enforcement affects multiple stages of procurement. Among the most pressing issues for raw material buyers:
- Lack of mappable farm-level data
Many smallholders in origin countries do not currently have geo-coordinates, digital land deeds, or deforestation-free certifications. - Reliance on fragmented supplier networks
Brokers, traders, and cooperatives may lack visibility into the exact source of raw materials. This complicates traceability. - Limited documentation culture
Legal origin proof and land-use verification often exist in non-standardized formats, or not at all. Procurement teams must validate and standardize data across diverse sources. - Legacy relationships without compliance guarantees
Longstanding supplier partnerships may offer reliability in logistics or pricing; however, they do not offer documentation. EUDR raises the bar. - Increased customs disruption risk
Incomplete or non-compliant due diligence documentation can result in shipment holds, reputational risk, and financial losses.
How CheMondis Supports Raw Material Procurement Teams
At CheMondis, we help sourcing teams meet new regulatory demands. CheMondis provides structured and verified access to suppliers. Connects buyers and suppliers. Moreover, we also offer clarity, help with compliance, and boost decision-making confidence.
Here’s how:
- Pre-qualified Supplier Data
Our supplier profiles show: - Focus on upstream visibility
We connect you to manufacturers of certified cocoa mass, crude palm oil, and green coffee beans. All have clear sourcing chains. - Custom discovery workflows
We provide a structured longlist of suppliers for each request. EUDR-relevant criteria are highlighted clearly. - Ongoing regulatory alignment
We continuously monitor regulatory updates to ensure our verification processes and supplier insights remain aligned with EUDR expectations.
EUDR compliance is about more than avoiding legal trouble; it’s about safeguarding access to the EU market and ensuring the long-term sustainability of your sourcing strategy.
By preparing early, demanding supplier transparency, and building traceability infrastructure now, food manufacturers will be in a stronger position when enforcement begins.
At CheMondis, we help you stay ahead of the curve.
Aug 11, 2025
Chemical sourcing from China is undergoing a significant shift, driven by changing trade policies and the re-routing of global supply chains. For European buyers, this change brings both opportunities for competitive pricing and challenges around compliance, quality, and trust.
How Chemical Sourcing from China Is Reshaping Europe’s Supply Chains
China’s chemical industry has long been export-driven. But recent changes in international trade policy are accelerating a re-routing of Chinese exports toward Europe. Tariff increases in other major markets have narrowed opportunities elsewhere, prompting Chinese exporters to look more actively at Europe as a growth market.
Trade data shows a clear uptick in shipments of basic organic chemicals to Europe over the past year. Key products driving this growth include:
- Acetic acid
- Formaldehyde derivatives
- TDI/MDI precursors (used in polyurethane production)
This reflects a broader structural shift: as some trade routes contract, others expand, and Europe is becoming a focal point for redirected global chemical flows.
The EU Market: Opening Without Overexposure
European chemical imports have grown notably in recent months, with Chinese producers playing a central role in filling supply gaps. For European buyers, this has translated into greater access to competitively priced goods, especially in categories like polymers, solvents, and specialty intermediates.
Several factors are driving this momentum:
- Large-scale production capacity
- Lower energy costs
- Supportive export measures and efficient port logistics
At the same time, European importers remain focused on compliance and resilience. This isn’t about replacing European production, it’s about augmenting it through smart, globally balanced sourcing.
Strategic Levers and Long-Term Shifts
China’s trade approach remains highly strategic. While export momentum is encouraged, there is also a readiness to adjust supply levers for strategic purposes — as seen in recent restrictions on certain critical materials.
Although these measures have not directly affected mainstream chemicals, they highlight the increasing complexity of cross-border sourcing. The global feedstock landscape also remains sensitive to policy changes, reinforcing the need for agile sourcing strategies that can adapt to shifts in pricing, logistics, and regulations.
For European buyers, this environment underscores the need for agility: sourcing strategies must remain responsive to shifts in policy, pricing, and global logistics.
CheMondis: Your Bridge to Verified Chemical Suppliers in China
At CheMondis, we connect European buyers directly to verified Chinese manufacturers. Our procurement solutions ensure every supplier is vetted for compliance, documentation readiness, and production capabilities.
With our platform, you can:
- Access trusted suppliers for chemical sourcing from China without compromising EU standards
- Diversify your sourcing while reducing risks
- Stay in control of specifications, documentation, and communication
Looking Ahead
The increase in Chinese chemical exports to Europe is more than a response to U.S. tariffs, it’s a marker of a new era in global trade alignment. Rather than viewing this as a zero-sum shift, European companies have an opportunity to make their sourcing smarter, more resilient, and more globally informed.
This doesn’t mean “choosing China”; it means using global options intelligently. With trusted infrastructure, careful supplier qualification, and transparent documentation, companies can future-proof their sourcing.
CheMondis is here to help buyers navigate this complexity. We believe the future of sourcing isn’t about closing borders, it’s about opening the right ones, at the right time, with the right partners.
Aug 7, 2025
How Coatings Manufacturers are Reinventing Their Supply Chains
Coatings industry supply chain challenges have intensified over the past years, with raw material shortages and logistics issues disrupting production across the sector. A delay or shortage of just one material can create a ripple effect.
Shortages lead to price increases. This raises manufacturing costs and makes it tough for businesses to compete. The coatings industry faces challenges. However, new technology and better supply chain strategies bring hope.
Unpacking the Raw Material Crisis in the Coatings Industry
Before we look at solutions, let’s examine the factors behind the raw materials crisis. This issue affects the entire billion-dollar industry in many ways:
- Global supply chain disruptions from the pandemic: The pandemic caused a two-year crisis. The number of raw material producers decreased, leading to higher prices and longer lead times. Recovery has been slow, with other factors complicating the situation.
- Petrochemical price volatility: The price of petrochemicals, essential for many coatings, has fluctuated due to inflation, shortages, and rising demand. This makes sourcing these materials more challenging and costly.
- Geopolitical conflict: The Russian-Ukrainian war disrupted the supply of titanium feedstocks and other materials, worsening inflation. Conflicts in the Middle East have also interrupted vital shipping routes for the chemical industry.
- Regulatory and environmental challenges: Sustainability efforts have caused some chemicals to be banned or limited. Manufacturers are moving to eco-friendly options. But they often struggle to find the right alternative raw materials. This is especially true with demand on the rise.
Emerging Strategies to Navigate Supply Chain Disruptions
Here are key strategies for coatings manufacturers to tackle the raw materials crisis:
- Diversify supplier networks: Having multiple suppliers reduces the risk of shortages. If one supplier faces a delay, others can step in.
- Nearshoring: By sourcing materials closer to home, manufacturers can respond faster to disruptions, reducing reliance on distant suppliers.
- Real-time visibility: Technologies like IoT devices and AI can improve supply chain visibility. They help manufacturers track performance, spot delays early, and minimize the impact of shortages.
- Embracing sustainability: Staying compliant with environmental regulations is crucial. Focusing on sustainability helps maintain resilience against disruptions.
The Role of Technology in Reinventing Supply Chain Operations
Technologies like IoT and GPS trackers provide real-time data and insights. AI systems analyze this data, transforming supply chain operations. They enhance visibility for coatings manufacturers, allowing quicker responses to disruptions.
This technology helps with routing and transport planning. It cuts fuel costs and speeds up delivery times. Solving the materials shortage is tough, but using new technologies in supply chain management is crucial.
How CheMondis Supports Coatings Procurement Teams
Navigating today’s coatings industry supply chain challenges has intensified over the past years, with raw material shortages and logistics issues disrupting production across the sector. Requires more than reactive sourcing; it demands smarter supplier selection, faster decision-making, and greater supply chain transparency.
At CheMondis, we help procurement teams in the coatings industry secure the right raw materials with confidence. Our Procurement Discovery service gives you structured access to verified chemical manufacturers across Europe, China, and beyond.
