Strategic Solutions - Articles - Page 4 | Adhesives & Sealants Industry

Strategic Solutions

Latin America’s Quest for Innovation

Several drivers are at play for the development of new adhesive technologies in Latin America.

March 6, 2019

In Latin America, end users in growth markets are eager for new adhesive technologies and products that improve throughput, mitigate against health and safety risks, and reduce total production costs.

Strategic Solutions

Developing An Adhesive and Sealant Selection Guide

The challenge in developing a useful guide involves balancing comprehensive coverage of in-scope topics without inevitably getting lost in the proverbial weeds.

Daniel R. Daley

November 2, 2018

Buyers and end users of adhesives and sealants―who are new to adhesives technology―want to learn all they can about chemistries, resin types, application methods, performance properties, dissimilar substrates, engineering practices, and formulated products on the market.

State of the U.S. Construction Market

Construction and building-related end uses make up approximately 25% of the market value for adhesives and sealants in the U.S.

October 5, 2018

The global market for adhesives and sealants in 2017 reached 34 billion dry lbs, valued at $59 billion. North America represented approximately 30% of the global market.

Strategic Solutions

Silane-Modified Polymers Find Yet Another Application

Installation of large-format tile offers new opportunities for adhesive formulations.

Terry Potter, Ph. D.

September 14, 2018

In 2017, the U.S. ceramic tile market for flooring and wall installations was valued at $3.6 billion, representing 14.2% of the flooring market value with a growth year-over-year of 6.8%, according to Floor Covering Weekly (7/23/2018).

Staying Ahead of the Curve

Finding novel uses for existing materials can catapult your portfolio into new markets.

Douglas Corrigan Ph.D.

June 13, 2018

With increasing competition on a global scale, it can be challenging to position both new and existing products for ever-growing market share and, more importantly, to diversify into new markets that provide a hedge against economic fluctuations. Following are two major lessons our clients have learned that may benefit other suppliers.

Strategic Solutions

Beyond Adhesion: Disruptive Innovation’s Impact in Transportation Adhesives

Part two of this series compares consumption trends in automotive powertrain adhesives and sealants to those of pure electric drivetrains.

Aggie Lotz Daniel S. Murad

April 6, 2018

In internal combustion (IC) engines, epoxy, silicone and UV/visible light-curing formulations offer enhanced capabilities and speed productivity to meet OEM and tier suppliers’ requirements. Significant innovations in gasketing, impregnation compounds, and bonding and potting can improve overall performance for automotive assembly applications.

Strategic Solutions

Beyond Adhesion

Disruptive innovation has impacted transportation applications of adhesives and sealants.

Aggie Lotz Daniel S. Murad

March 9, 2018

Broadly speaking, a market disruptor may include a technology, method, process, service, or channel with superior performance and customer benefits delivered at an attractive price point that can unexpectedly displace an incumbent. Porter’s Five Forces, created by Harvard Business School’s then-associate professor Michael E. Porter, Ph.D., has provided a framework for taking a “snapshot in time” of any potential threat to a business’ profits (not limited to a business losing its customers to an existing rival.

Strategic Solutions

In Pursuit of Operational Excellence

Manufacturers should consider the value of a “back to basics” approach to production

W. Pete Smith

November 17, 2017

When I began my career in the chemical industry, my company’s initiatives impressed and intrigued me. The leadership would lay out our direction and focus, as well as the metrics by which we would measure success in the coming year. Eventually, I came to understand that, even with the push to improve profitability through various company initiatives, it makes good business sense to not lose sight of the measurable basics.

Strategic Solutions

A Holistic Approach to Adhesive Selection

Choosing the right adhesive starts with finding a supplier you trust.

James (Jim) E. Swope

October 2, 2017

Adhesive selectors, whether published guides or human, typically begin with determining which adhesive product or products will adhere to the substrate. That approach is necessary for repair applications, and may even be necessary for fixing a production issue on-the-fly. Engineers working in assembly need to consider the functionality of the device first. Adjusting substrate materials, processes, or joint designs may also be considered, but not automatically required. Next, testing to verify performance is necessary—and strongly recommended.

Strategic Solutions

Innovation in Flooring Adhesives

Consumer demand is prompting adhesives and sealants manufacturers to innovate in order to reduce claims and increase profitability.

Stephen Chase

August 3, 2017

Our industry has seen an unprecedented increase in moisture-related claims due to many factors associated with a wider selection of floor coverings in use. These factors range from fast-track building construction and the increased use of non-standard size flooring tiles and planks to a reduction in porous floor-covering backings, as well as improperly specified and applied adhesives, improperly trained installers and poor drainage.