CLEVELAND — Demand for reactive adhesives and sealants is projected to rise 3.0% per year to 1.3 billion pounds in 2022, valued at $4.8 billion. The leading reactive adhesive and sealant chemistries are silicones, polyurethanes, epoxies and polysulfides. Demand for reactive silicone adhesives and sealants is projected to advance 2.8% yearly to 446 million pounds in 2022, valued at $1.6 billion. These and other trends are presented in Adhesives & Sealants in the US, 3rd Edition, a new study from The Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm.

Key factors boosting gains for silicone chemistries include:

• growing use of silicone products in construction applications — including transportation and utilities infrastructure — where the resistance of silicone adhesives and sealants to a wide variety of extreme conditions, including temperature, chemical exposure, and salt exposure, supports widespread use;
• greater use of advanced silicone sealants for noise reduction in the production of motor vehicles;
• rigorous performance requirements for adhesives and sealants in aerospace applications, where the properties of silicone products outweigh silicone’s high cost; and
• increasing production of appliances where silicone products are used to seal plumbing and electrical lines.

Overall demand for adhesives and sealants is projected to rise nearly 2% per year to 6.5 billion pounds in 2022. Growth will be boosted by the continuing transition in manufacturing, assembly and construction from mechanical fastening to adhesive bonding. According to analyst Christine O’Keefe, “The use of novel composites and plastics in the manufacture of motor vehicles and aerospace equipment will increase.” The industry will continue to shift away from solvent-based formulations to higher value, more sustainable and user-friendly products.