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Portuguese footwear industry heads to Brussels to promote debate on reindustrialisation

May 26, 2026 Portugal

The Portuguese footwear sector will travel to Brussels on the 16th of June to advocate for a reindustrialisation of Europe that is based on innovation, sustainability, and local production

On the 16^th of June, the Portuguese footwear sector, represented by APICCAPS (Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association) and the CTCP (Portuguese Footwear Technology Centre), will travel to Brussels to advocate for the reindustrialisation of Europe based on innovation, sustainability and local production.

This event, which will be held at the Permanent Representation of Portugal to the European Union (REPER), will bring together Members of the European Parliament, policymakers, and European partners to discuss the future of the footwear industry in a global context.

According to sector data, more than 24 billion pairs of shoes are currently produced worldwide each year, with over 88% originating from Asia, highlighting the significant relocation of production outside Europe.

Against this backdrop, the Portuguese industry presents itself as an alternative case study, investing in production based on high-quality standards, technological innovation, and increasing environmental sustainability. “It is possible to produce excellent footwear in Europe at fair prices”, says Luís Onofre, President of APICCAPS.

Over the last three years, the Portuguese footwear sector has carried out its largest-ever investment programme, with more than 100 million euros invested under Portugal’s Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), with the aim of preparing the industry for the future.

Among the flagship projects is BioShoes4All, which mobilized around 70 million euros and involved more than 60 partners, including companies, universities, and technology centres.

The project aims to accelerate the transition of the footwear value chain towards the bioeconomy by promoting the development of new biomaterials, implementing innovative production processes, advancing digitalization, and enhancing waste recovery, thereby contributing to the reduction of the industry’s environmental footprint.

For the President of APICCAPS, the initiative also carries a political dimension at a time when Europe is debating the strengthening of its industrial base. “We continue to believe in the future of industry in Europe, but it is essential to guarantee principles of free, fair, and balanced trade”, he stated.

According to Luís Onofre, “European reindustrialization requires a strategic vision that values local production, promotes innovation, and ensures fair competitive conditions on a global scale”.

The Brussels session will therefore present the results achieved and reinforce the contribution of the Portuguese footwear industry to a European strategy based on more resilient, sustainable and competitive value chains.

You can register for the event here.

Image Credits: portugueseshoes.pt

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