his issue is a special one for the ASI staff, as it includes the announcement of the winner of the ASI Readers’ Choice Awards! Innovation is the backbone of the adhesives and sealants industry, and we created the ASI Readers’ Choice Awards to honor all of the industry’s hard work and ingenuity.

Companies were invited to submit their new and innovative products, and our readers and online community voted for their favorite product. I’m thrilled to announce that the votes have been tallied, and the winners are:

•  First Place, Formulated Adhesives/Sealants—Primo Adhesives from L.D. Davis Industries Inc.

•  Runner-Up, Formulated Adhesives/Sealants—Fusionbond 372 from Hernon Manufacturing Inc.

Turn to p. 12 to see the additional information provided in this issue for each of the winning entries.

We’re also excited to provide several market reports in this issue. On p. 34, an article from Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney reports that global consumption of formulated adhesives was 10.24 million metric tons in 2014, worth $29.4 billion. Growth in Europe and North America is forecast at a mature 2% annual rate, while the Asia-Pacific region, led by China, is expected to expand at a 7% annual rate.

Huron Capital Partners’ Heather Madland and Mike Beauregard, make “The ‘Case’ for the U.S. CASE Market: 2015-2016.” Despite public market volatility, they write that “Key indicators in CASE-specific end markets—namely automotive, residential housing and commercial construction—have led to robust demand in 2015. U.S. auto industry fundamentals are solid; sales continue to accelerate, hitting a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 17.8 million in August—the strongest pace in more than a decade—and well above economist forecasts.” Read more on p. 35.

What innovations has your company made lately? Do you have a success story to share with our readers? Contact me at (248) 786-1703 or mcphersont@bnpmedia.com to share your story. 

Join the ASI community at www.adhesivesmag.com/connect.