The ChemQuest Group estimates the global adhesive and sealant industry to be approximately $53 billion at the end of 2015, comprised of $46.3 million in adhesives and $6.5 billion in sealants. This figure represents an increase of 3.5% in 2015. The adhesives market is approximately seven times larger than sealants in terms of value.
Breaking sales out by region, North America, Europe, and Asia each make up are about equal in size, with the remainder (10%) split between South America and the Middle East/Africa (see Figure 1). In North America, sealants were 1.14 billion lbs, while adhesives were 7 billion lbs for 2015. In terms of revenue, the adhesive industry is nearly $16 billion and the sealant industry is about $2.4 billion. Gross domestic product for the U.S. was 2.4% in 2015, flat with 2014 and for the sixth year in a row under 3%. In line with the lower overall economic growth, we expect the industry overall to grow about 1.5-2.5% in volume (at or slightly higher than GDP) with an additional half a percent in pricing for overall growth of 2-3% in terms of value. Sealants are expected once again to outpace adhesives because of their position in construction and transportation (which make up 95% of sealant demand).