Porto, November 18ᵗʰ-19ᵗʰ, 2025
A two-day international conference focused on the challenges and opportunities facing the footwear industry was successfully held in Porto on the 18th and 19th of November. Organized by APICCAPS (Portuguese Footwear Association) and CTCP (Portuguese Footwear Technology Centre), the event brought together world- renowned experts to discuss the main challenges and opportunities facing the sector amid technological, economic, and environmental transformation. The conference served as the public presentation of the results of the FAIST Project – Agile, Intelligent, Sustainable and Technological Factory – representing one of the largest investments ever made by the Portuguese footwear industry. Supported by the Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR), the national cluster invested more than €50 million in automation, robotics, and sustainability. This investment was made “with the goal of making the Portuguese footwear sector one of the most modern and competitive in the world,” as highlighted by the President of APICCAPS. During the summit, Luís Onofre stressed that “it was time to seriously discuss Europe’s role in global footwear production,” recalling that “around 24 billion pairs of shoes are produced every year, and 90% of that production is concentrated in Asia. This dependency is neither reasonable nor sustainable”. Onofre asserted that Europe “must assume its responsibility and its potential as a reference for quality, innovation, and ethical production”. The core of the President’s argument was that “European competitiveness is not built on low costs, but on talent, knowledge, and added value”. He emphasized that Portugal is a concrete example of this vision, having demonstrated “that it is possible to produce excellent footwear while respecting the environment, valuing people, and investing in technology”. The debate aimed to inspire other European countries to follow the same path. The conference, which focused on topics such as robotics, automation, and artificial intelligence, took place at the Palácio da Bolsa in Porto. More than 20 journalists from five continents attended, underscoring the event’s global significance. To validate the vision presented, the international press (hosted during a preliminary day) had the unique opportunity to tour innovative companies in the district, witnessing firsthand the practical application of latest-generation technologies in entities like AMF, Vapesol, Carité, Kyaia and Bolflex. Experts, academics, and sector leaders debated risks and opportunities, charting the course toward a more resilient Industry of the Future. To seal the importance of the event, participants concluded the first day with an exclusive Gala Dinner in the historic setting of the Palácio da Bolsa, offering a crucial opportunity for consolidating international partnerships.
THE CORE MANDATE: INVESTING IN TECHNOLOGY, ELEVATING HUMAN CAPITAL
The true and essential mandate emerging from the summit is that robotics, automation and Artificial Intelligence must serve to drastically improve working conditions for the existing workforce, rather than seeking to replace it. The strategic deployment of new technologies is specifically aimed at delegating the most repetitive and strenuous work phases to machines, thereby freeing up experienced personnel. This strategic shift allows workers to migrate toward higher-level functions – such as quality control, raw material selection and creativity – where human experience, specialized judgment and mastery remain irreplaceable assets for guaranteeing the excellence and competitiveness of Made in Europe.
APICCAPS AND CTCP: KEY PORTUGUESE INDUSTRY BODIES
APICCAPS (Portuguese Footwear, Components, Leather Goods Manufacturers’ Association), founded in Porto in 1975, serves as the national benchmark association for Portuguese producers. Its strategic priority is external commercial promotion: the Portuguese footwear industry successfully exports over 95% of its production to 152 countries across all five continents. To bolster this international focus, the Association also develops targeted image campaigns for the entire sector under the banner of “Portuguese Shoes.”
The CTCP (Portuguese Footwear Technology Center), established in 1986, is a private, non-profit organization. The Center acts as a catalyst for the future of the footwear industry in Portugal, integrating cutting-edge technology with a sustainable approach. It is active in all key areas vital for the competitiveness of the sector and related industries, offering comprehensive services including testing, analysis, and calibration, research and development (R&D), training and qualification of human resources, innovation and digital manufacturing, environment and workplace safety, technical support and industrial consultancy.
Claúdia Pinto – APICCAPS
Florbela Silva – CTCP
Sergio Dulio – UITIC
Rosana Perán
European Footwear Confederation
Paulo Gonçalves – APICCAPS
Luís Onofre
APICCAPS President