Also inside: Digital Product Passport developments, changes to the ESA Executive Team, technical updates from the divisions, ESA member news and more. ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­    ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏  ͏ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­ ­  

2026/2

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News

Illustration of PFAS regulatory milestones leading to 2026

The SEAC consultation on PFAS restriction: Implications for sealing applications

The PFAS restriction process remains one of the most important regulatory issues facing the sealing industry. The SEAC consultation, open until 25 May 2026, is a key stage in the process and the final opportunity to submit formal comments on the role of fluoropolymers in sealing applications. The consultation’s structured format, limited space for technical evidence, and lack of detailed sector-specific assessment mean we must be clear about what’s at stake. The ESA is coordinating input to support the case for a fluoropolymer exemption and to ensure the sealing sector’s position is properly represented. Read more

Message from the ESA Chair: A decisive moment for our industry

As the PFAS regulation process enters a decisive stage, ESA Chair Ozan Devlen reflects on what this moment means for the sealing industry and why collaboration, clarity and a strong collective voice matter more than ever. Read more

Ozan Devlen, Chair of the ESA

Highlights from the ESA AGM 2026 in Seville

The ESA’s 2026 Annual General Meeting brought members together in Seville for the first time, providing an inspiring setting to connect, exchange ideas and discuss the future direction of ESA and the sealing industry. Read more

ESA AGM 2026 highlights

The Digital Product Passport: A new era for sustainable and transparent industry 

The Digital Product Passport and Digital Data Chain are set to change how product information is created, shared, and used throughout the product lifecycle. Early engagement will be important; to help shape emerging standards rather than simply react to them. Read more

Digital Product Passport graphic

Update from the ESA’s Technical Director

From hydrogen testing and standards development to new training resources, the ESA’s technical work is progressing across several areas. Technical Director Ralf Vogel shares the latest updates from the ESA divisions. Read more

Ralf Vogel, ESA's Technical Director

The new ESA website is now live!

 

We are pleased to introduce our new website, with a clearer structure and improved access to news, events, courses, projects, resources and member information.

 

If you are an ESA member and have not yet activated your Members area account, please follow the welcome email you previously received to access member-only content.

 

We invite everyone to explore the new website and hope you enjoy the improved experience!

 

Visit the website

More news and topics

  • ESA presents a PFAS update at Industrial Valve Summit 2026

  • ESA at Materials Week Europe 2026

  • Website & LinkedIn Insights: March and April 2026

     

Events

  • International Sealing Conference
    30 September - 1 October 2026, Filderhalle in Leinfelden-Echterdingen near Stuttgart, Germany 
  • Valve World Expo
    1-3 December 2026, Dusseldorf, Germany
  • Achema 2027 
    14-18 June 2027, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
    See all events

News from member companies

Graham-Fowler

Graham Fowler celebrates 4 years at Clifford Springs

ESA member Clifford Springs has marked Technical Sales Manager Graham Fowler’s fourth anniversary with the company. Graham has always been a strong advocate of training and education, sharing his extensive knowledge of springs, but joining Clifford Springs has also given him the opportunity to learn something new. Read more

Test programme at Cross Manufacturing shows how metallic sealing rings dramatically cut valve leakage at high temperatures.

Test programme shows how metallic sealing rings dramatically cut valve leakage at high temperatures

ESA member Cross Manufacturing shares results from a new test programme showing that certain metallic sealing ring gap geometries can reduce leakage by factors of up to twenty-five, challenging long-held assumptions about metallic sealing ring performance in high-temperature valve applications beyond the limits of polymer seals. Read more

ESA member company John Crane at the Pump Industry Awards 2026.

Recognising the people and partnerships shaping the future of engineering

ESA member John Crane was recognised twice at this year’s Pump Industry Awards. The company received the ‘Contribution to Skills & Training’ award for its partnership with the University of Sheffield, and apprentice engineer Luke Norris won the ‘Rising Star Award’. Read more

People and positions

Executive Team at the ESA AGM 2026.

Changes to the ESA Executive Team and divisional leadership

This year’s AGM in Seville brought new appointments across the ESA, both within the Executive Team and at the divisional level. Read more

B2B marketing

CRM graphic.

Using CRM data to improve content for AI search

B2B buyers increasingly research suppliers before making direct sales contact, and AI tools are becoming part of that process. CRM data can help identify recurring customer questions, concerns, and hesitation points that can be turned into clearer content for both buyers and AI-assisted search. Read more

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