Daniel S. Murad

Figure 1 The North American pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) industry settled at approximately $500 million in 2009 and is estimated to grow at a 4% compounded annual growth rate through 2014.

Now that 2009 is behind us, the adhesives and sealants industry is recovering from its worst year since the Great Depression.

This article examines the state of the adhesives and sealants industry, including the current impact of raw material and feedstock prices.

Nearly 1,000 attendees at the 2008 World Adhesives Conference in Miami, FL, listened to global industry leaders discuss challenges and trends within the adhesives industry.

The North American adhesives and sealants industry is heading toward the $15 billion mark in sales revenue. It has been a bumpy ride since the beginning of the new millennium. Manufacturers face multiple diverging challenges in their business, each requiring thoughtful analysis and precise maneuvering.

The global adhesives and sealants industry reached a record $36 billion in 2006, with nearly 4% growth over 2005, and is forecast to grow at 3.8% through 2008. Not surprisingly, the greatest advancements occurred in Asia, fueled by emerging markets in China, India, Vietnam, Korea and Malaysia.

Current structure and future growth.

It's no secret that adhesive pricing has been historically undervalued when compared to the importance derived from the function it performs. Companies habitually charge less than they could, particularly for new products, which unfortunately leads to underestimating a product's value.