The adhesive is a substance used to stick materials or objects together. Adhesives can be applied as a thin layer between two surfaces so that they can be held together. Based on requirements, adhesives are manufactured such that the formation does not break when force is applied. Temporary labels and stickers use fewer strength adhesives whereas high-strength adhesives are used for much bigger products such as wooden furniture, internal engine parts, parts of an automobile, etc.

A sealant is a material used for sealing; that works in filling up spaces airtight. The spaces can be joints, gaps or cavities that occur between two substrates, for example- the space between a bathtub and wall, the space between two concrete panels forming the wall, the space between the body and fender of a car. Sealant is not used to hold the two materials together but to form a seal against the entry of liquids, gases and dust or dirt to enter which could potentially be damaging in nature.

Adhesive & Sealant are manufactured to requirements of almost all industries, aerospace and defence, automotive, marine, assembly, electrical/electronic, filter, printing, packaging and laminating, roofing and flooring and several others. There are different types of adhesives and sealants in the market; different companies use different formulae for their clients’ requirements.

In addition to that, formulation and production of eco-friendly products such as solvent-free adhesives are growing in popularity. Manufacturers are increasingly investing in manufacturing and product development programs to engineer eco-friendly adhesives based on vegetable oils, organic starch, soy, and water. The manufacture of polyurethane adhesives derived from microbial processes and fermentation is growing in popularity. The increasing use of high-performance adhesives in medical applications is another growth driver for the market. A growing need for dental and surgical adhesives, as a result of the aging population, is also benefiting demand in this sector.

3 . Adhesives and Sealants Market FAQ

4 . Adhesives and Sealants Industry Current Trends

Developed regions such as Europe, U.S and Japan have represented major markets for adhesives since decades. The Middle East and Asia-Pacific countries such as China, India, Taiwan, Vietnam, South Korea, are expected to grow in the market, according to Global Industry Analysts, Inc. The rapid pace of industrialization, strong GDP growth, and a rise in manufacturing/industrial output represent key growth drivers in these regions. India stands as an upcoming market for aggressive investments by global majors. In South America, Brazil and Argentina are emerging as promising markets for adhesives

As renewable energy is one of the main areas where there are many opportunities for adhesive manufacturers, an increased focus is laid on them. In the construction market, various regional groups are campaigning for more environmentally friendly buildings by promoting fewer Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) thus in reducing emission and odours that contribute to respiratory problems and poor air quality in buildings. Green building refers to the larger shift from standard building practices as quality construction, energy efficiency, indoor air quality, conservation of water and other natural resources and thoughtful planning and design for human productivity and health.

In Germany, major adhesive manufacturers have founded system a called EMICODE, a simple and reliable guideline to classify the emissions of adhesive and sealant products. Products labelled with EMICODE EC1 stand for solvent-free and very low emission flooring installation materials. With respect to indoor air quality, they provide the most ecological method for state-of-the-art flooring installations. In addition to VOC emissions, odour has been a major problem for flooring adhesives. Several recent adhesive systems have been developed that provide solutions to these problems.