Adhesives and Sealants TopicsFinished Adhesives and SealantsPressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs)

2025 ASI Top 20: H.B. Fuller

HB Fuller's headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota. Image courtesy of H.B. Fuller.

Founded in 1887 by Harvey Benjamin Fuller, H.B. Fuller is a provider of functional coatings, adhesives and sealants with operations around the globe. Founded in 1887 by Harvey Benjamin Fuller, H.B. Fuller is a global leader in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings, headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. As of November 30, 2024, the company employed approximately 7,500 people across 45 countries and operated 81 manufacturing facilities in 26 countries. H.B. Fuller serves customers in over 30 market segments, including electronics, hygiene, medical, transportation, aerospace, clean energy, packaging, construction, woodworking, and other consumer businesses.

The company’s net revenue was up 1.42% year-on-year in 2024 at $3.56 billion, compared to $3.51 billion in 2023. In terms of regional income, the Americas accounted for 53% of total sales in 2024, with Europe, India, Middle East and Africa accounting for 29% of 2024 sales, and Asia-Pacific recording 18% of total 2024 sales.

The company operates in three global business units—Hygiene, Health and Consumable Adhesives; Engineering Adhesives; and Construction Adhesives. In 2024, the Hygiene, Health and Consumable Adhesives business unit accounted for 43% of revenue for the company. Engineering Adhesives accounted for 41% of 2023 revenue, and Construction Adhesives accounted for 16% of revenue.

Net revenue in the company’s Hygiene, Health and Consumable Adhesives business unit was $1.55 billion in 2024, down from $1.6 billion 2023, representing a 3.4% decrease for the year. With 36 facilities, the segment serves markets such as packaging, hygiene, tape and label, medical and beauty.

The Engineering Adhesives business unit posted an increase in net revenue in 2024 of 2.1%, posting net revenue of $1.55 billion, up from $1.43 billion in 2023. This business unit and sells into the energy, electronics, automotive, transportation, and wood and composites industries, among others.

The Construction Adhesives business unit operates 17 facilities. The segment saw 2024 sales increase in 2024 to $563 million compared to $481 million in 2023, representing a 17% increase year-over-year. It is active in markets such as flooring, commercial roofing, and building envelope and infrastructure.

With a focus on innovation, 22% of the company’s revenue comes from new products that were introduced within the past five years. The company is often recognized for this innovative spirit, including receiving the Adhesive and Sealant Council’s 2024 Innovation Award for the development of TPx, thermoplastic encapsulants with a total cost efficiency and performance to enable next generation solar modules.

"The award validates the combined strength of H.B. Fuller's technical and commercial teams and the importance of customer focused collaboration and innovation," said Thomas Kauffman, external innovation director at H.B. Fuller.

NOTES: In 2024, H.B. Fuller made several strategic acquisitions to strengthen its position in high-growth, high-margin markets. In May, it acquired ND Industries Inc., a U.S.-based provider of adhesives and fastener sealing solutions for the automotive, electronics, and aerospace industries. The deal added the Vibra-Tite® brand to Fuller’s portfolio and supported its expansion in specialty industrial applications.

In August, the company acquired UK-based HS Butyl Limited, a producer of premium butyl tapes, enhancing its presence in the global specialty construction tapes market. This move builds on the 2022 acquisition of GSSI Sealants and supports Fuller’s target of achieving a 20% adjusted EBITDA margin within 3–5 years, particularly by expanding its reach in Europe’s waterproofing segment.

Later in the year, H.B. Fuller reorganized its building and construction portfolio, forming the new Global Business Unit, Building Adhesive Solutions (BAS), which consolidates several segments and excludes the recently divested Flooring business.

In December, the company signed agreements to acquire GEM S.r.l. in Italy and Medifill Ltd. in Ireland, both specializing in medical adhesive technologies. These acquisitions enhance Fuller’s Medical Adhesive Technologies (MAT) business, adding advanced cyanoacrylate products and cleanroom capabilities, while establishing a European headquarters to expand MAT’s product range and market footprint.

Opening image courtesy of H.B. Fuller.