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Assan Panel Managing Director Ihsan Tolga Akar elected President of PPA-Europe

Ihsan Tolga Akar, Managing Director of Assan Panel, a Kibar Holding company, has been elected President of the European Association for Panels and Profiles (PPA-Europe) at the association’s 24th General Assembly in Brussels, Belgium. Akar set out his goals for the new term: a more proactive and visible association, a stronger voice for the industry in Brussels and closer cooperation with national associations.

Members of the European Association for Panels and Profiles met in Brussels, Belgium, where, alongside updates on legislation, standardisation and internal projects, they elected the association’s new leadership team. Ihsan Tolga Akar, Managing Director of Assan Panel, was elected President at the 24th General Assembly.

After ten years as President and Vice-President, Jean-Christophe Kennel (ArcelorMittal Building Solutions Europe) and Markus Haiden (Metecno Germany) stepped down. Members thanked them warmly for their many years of dedicated and collaborative leadership. Pascal Magain (ArcelorMittal Building Solutions France & Benelux) was elected Vice-President.

In his address, Akar set out his goals for the association’s new term: a stronger voice for the industry in Brussels, closer cooperation with national associations, a broader membership base, and standards that look beyond individual products to complete building systems. He emphasised that these goals will be built on PPA-Europe’s recognised technical expertise.

Commenting on his new role, Akar said: “PPA-Europe’s technical work is highly respected in CEN and ISO. Our task now is to make sure our industry is heard just as clearly in policy-making and in the market. Working together as one team – with our members and with national associations across Europe – we can make PPA-Europe stronger in an increasingly complex and challenging environment.”

The European Association for Panels and Profiles (PPA-Europe) represents manufacturers of sandwich panels and metal profiled sheets for roofs, façades and walls, together with their suppliers. With 46 members from 19 countries, the association contributes its expertise to European and international standardisation.

PPA-Europe General Assembly 2026 will be organised in Brussels, Belgium. Even though the GA will not be followed by a congress this year, we will have three external speakers after the formal GA session who will provide interesting presentations:

• “Economic forces shaping the construction ecosystem”, William Connell Garcia – European Commission, DG GROW
• “The implementation of the CPR”, Oscar Nieto – European Commission, DG GROW
• “The World Green Buidling Council”, Christine Lemaitre – DGNB German Sustainable Building Council.

In the evening, a networking dinner will be organised.

We are looking forward to welcoming our members and external speakers in Brussels.

As of 1^st October 2025, the company Chemique Adhesives and Sealants Limited is an associated member of PPA-Europe. They are an UK manufacturer of industrial adhesives and supplier of adhesive application equipment. Polyurethane adhesive for the sandwich panel production belongs to their product portfolio.

We are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration!