According to the fourth edition of the Rauch Guide to the U.S. Adhesives and Sealants Industry, a new 324-page study from Impact Marketing Consultants, Inc., adhesives and sealants registered sales of $11.85 billion in 2003, spurred by resumed growth in the economy. During the next five years, volume will increase by 12% to reach $12.316 billion. When measured by end use, the fastest growth is forecast for dental and medical adhesives, although they are growing from a small base. Among the larger categories, electrical/electronics and industrial assembly will increase substantially. Packaging, the largest end use, will grow 12.6% by 2008. General-purpose adhesives and sealants, the leading types of products, are forecast to grow nearly 11% by 2008. Spurred by renewed growth in the packaging industry, hot melts will increase by nearly 17% during that time.

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