According to a recent report from Grand View Research, the global chemical distribution market was estimated to be $247.1 billion last year and is projected to see robust growth (5.4% CAGR) to 2028. The distribution of specialty chemicals, such as those used in CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers) and other sectors, is expected to be the fastest-growing segment of the market, reaching $139 billion in that timeframe.

Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a high-performance plastic used in a variety of industries, particularly for its heat and chemical resistance and “non-stick” properties. However, PTFE has a low surface energy that does not allow adhesives to wet its surface and subsequently bond.

Called thermoset polyesters, these materials are glass fiber-reinforced unsaturated polyesters. They are also often referred to as “sheet molding compounds” (SMCs), “fiber-reinforced plastics” (FRPs), or simply “fiberglass.”

Question: My colleague and I are working on a unique challenge of trying to find a solution for manufacturing urethane-based adhesives that are quite sensitive to moisture exposure.

Brands have long relied on their products’ packaging to draw the consumers’ eye and entice them to consider a purchase. But packaging has evolved beyond eye-catching graphics to encompass so much more, particularly as consumers continue to explore “green” products and services with the goal of helping to address climate change.

The shift from brick-and-mortar to digital shopping had been under way for some time when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. Since 2017, ecommerce revenues have risen from an estimated $1.4 trillion to $2.4 trillion, or about 2.7% of global output.

You can obviously package your moisture-sensitive sealant in glass or metal cans or tubes, which will totally prevent moisture ingress. Aluminum tubes are widely used for this type of product, as long as you have good crimps.

I have worked with companies that manufacture superglue and polyurethane glue, both of which are single-component, no-mix adhesives. Superglue, which is the common term for cyanoacrylate adhesive, has been around for about 60 years. In contrast, the polyurethanes are about 20 years old in the retail market and somewhat older in professional woodworking. I admit to using both types of adhesive regularly.

The global adhesives and sealants market grew from approximately $45 billion in 2010 to around $63 billion last year, according to The Adhesive and Sealant Council’s recently released “2020-2023 North American Market Report for Adhesives and Sealants, with a Global Overview.” During this period, over 200 patent applications (simple family groups) in the technical fields of adhesives and sealants were filed across the five major IP jurisdictions (US, EU, CN, JP, KR).

The specialty chemicals value chain has risen to the challenge of retooling to fill large supply gaps for sanitation products, packaging containers and inks, and other essential products to meet spikes in demand as an outgrowth of the COVID-19 pandemic.