Published December 2022
Specialty adhesives are characterized by cross-linking after application, which establishes very strong bonds that exhibit good solvent, water, and temperature resistance. The two leading product types are epoxies and polyurethanes. Specialty sealants, mainly silicones and polyurethanes, exhibit more elasticity than lesserperforming sealants and are preferred in more demanding applications.
The following pie charts show 2022 world consumption of specialty adhesives and sealants (A&S) by region.
Specialty adhesives account for about 9% of the global market for all adhesives on a volume basis, while specialty sealants account for about 75% of the global market for all sealants on a volume basis.
One of the major uses for specialty adhesives is in product assembly, where they compete with mechanical fasteners. Demand for specialty adhesives is expected to rise in the automotive and aircraft industries as manufacturers switch to plastics, composites, and nonferrous materials of construction to reduce vehicle weight to lower fuel consumption. In construction, builders are tending to use more adhesives to replace mechanical fasteners and improve productivity. Sealants use will rise as builders must meet more-stringent building codes for energy efficiencies in areas like North America and Western Europe.
As with many other products, consumption of specialty A&S tends to be mature in North America, Western Europe, and Japan (with average annual growth of 1–3% forecast for 2022–27), but growing in mainland China (at an average annual rate of 3–4%) and other developing countries. Actually, growth in consumption of specialty A&S will be higher than that experienced by most end-use markets (transportation, construction, and general product assembly).
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Specialty Chemicals Update Program – Specialty Adhesives and Sealants is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
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S&P Global’s Specialty Chemicals Update Program – Specialty Adhesives and Sealants has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with IHS Markit’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.
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