U.S Adhesives and Sealants Market Expected to Reach $17.5 Billion by 2032

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, "U.S. adhesives and sealants market by product type and by application: U.S. opportunity analysis and industry forecast, 2023–2032,"the U.S. adhesives and sealants market was valued at $11.3 billion in 2022, and is projected to reach $17.5 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.5% from 2023 to 2032. An adhesive is a chemical mixture that joins two surfaces together to form a single unit, whereas a sealant is a semi-solid material used to prevent fluid leakage. Adhesives and sealants are formulated with similar chemicals and technologies and are used in a related range of applications. Although they are considered as a single industry, their performance is distinct across end applications.

The rise in awareness of hygiene-related activities has boosted the growth of the packaging sector where adhesives & sealants are widely used for paper bonding applications. This is expected to fuel the growth of the U.S. adhesive & sealant market during the forecast period. Furthermore, factors such as surge in population, rise in urbanization, and increase in government spending have led the building & construction sector to witness a significant growth where adhesives & sealants are widely used to fill cracks, openings, and seal joints. This has led to a rise in popularity of adhesives & sealants in the building & construction sector; thus, boosting growth of the adhesive & sealant market.

However, manufacturing of adhesives and sealants emit volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during that causes several health-related disorders such as conjunctival irritation, shortness of breath, fatigue, dizziness, and skin problems. Furthermore, several regulatory bodies such as the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) have laid down norms and regulations to control the use of harmful or organic compounds in manufacturing adhesives & sealants. This factor is expected to restrain the growth of the U.S. adhesive & sealant market during the forecast period.

On the contrary, the emergence of non-hazardous, green, and sustainable adhesives & sealants is expected to offer major opportunities to the U.S. adhesive & sealant market.

The U.S adhesive & sealant market is segmented on the basis of product type and application. By product type, the market is segregated into adhesive and sealant. The adhesives segment dominated the U.S. market, in terms of revenue in 2022, with 89.4% of the total share. Industries such as automotive, aerospace, and electronics are increasingly focused on lightweighting to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions. Adhesives offer a way to bond dissimilar materials together, enabling the use of lighter and more efficient components. Moreover, adhesives provide alternatives to traditional mechanical fastening methods that may produce more waste or require energy-intensive processes. As environmental regulations become stricter, industries are seeking more environmentally friendly solutions. Furthermore, the demand for smaller and more powerful electronic devices, such as smartphones, wearables, and medical devices, has led to the need for precise bonding solutions that do not interfere with the delicate electronic components. These factors altogether may lead the U.S. adhesives and sealants market for adhesives type to witness a significant growth.

By application, the U.S. adhesives and sealants market is divided into paper board & packaging, building & construction, woodworking & joinery, transportation, footwear & leather, medical, and others. The building and construction segment dominated the U.S. market, in terms of revenue in 2022, with 29.6% of the total share. Adhesives and sealants play a critical role in creating energy-efficient buildings by sealing gaps, joints, and interfaces to prevent air and moisture infiltration. The emphasis on sustainable and green construction practices has led to a greater use of adhesives and sealants to enhance insulation and reduce energy consumption.

Furthermore, the use of modern construction materials, such as composites, lightweight panels, and engineered woods, often requires specialized adhesives to bond these materials effectively and ensure structural integrity. In addition to this, the trend toward off-site construction methods, including prefab and modular construction, relies heavily on adhesives and sealants to ensure strong and durable connections between pre-fabricated components. These factors altogether may lead the U.S. adhesives and sealants market to witness a significant increase in demand for building and construction applications.

Key players that operate in the U.S. adhesive & sealant market include Arkema, BASF SE, Illinois Tool Works Inc., H.B. Fuller Company, Henkel AG & Co. KGAA, Parker Hannifin, Scott Bader Company Ltd., Sika AG, 3M and Huntsman International LLC.

COVID-19 analysis

The COVID-19 pandemic had both direct and indirect impacts on the U.S. adhesives and sealants market, affecting various aspects of the industry. The pandemic led to disruptions in supply chains, affecting the availability of raw materials and components used in adhesive and sealant manufacturing. This, in turn, impacted production schedules and supply of finished products.

Moreover, lockdowns, restrictions, and safety protocols impacted manufacturing operations, leading to temporary shutdowns, reduced capacity, and delays in production. Social distancing measures affected the efficiency of production processes.

In addition, the overall economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic led to cautious spending and investment decisions. Some companies postponed or scaled back expansion plans, affecting the demand for adhesive and sealant products.  However, as lockdowns and restrictions were gradually lifted, manufacturing operations resumed, leading to increased demand for adhesives and sealants in industries such as automotive, construction, and electronics. Moreover, many adhesive and sealant manufacturers embraced digital platforms and e-commerce solutions to reach customers and provide support remotely.

Online ordering, virtual product demonstrations, and webinars became important tools for sales and customer engagement. In addition, the emphasis on hygiene and safety led to increased demand for adhesives and sealants that met strict standards for sterilization and cleanliness. This was particularly relevant in the medical, healthcare, and packaging sectors. These factors altogether are expected to drive the growth of the U.S adhesives and sealants market during the forecast period.

Key findings of the study

• By product type, the adhesive segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2032.
• By application, the building and construction segment is estimated to display the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 4.4% from 2023 to 2032.