CLEVELAND — Demand for radiation-cured products in the United States is forecast to increase by more than 10% per year and will hit a total of 200 million pounds in the year 2003, according to a recently completed study from The Freedonia Group Inc., an industrial market research firm.

While radiation-cure coatings will remain the largest product segment in the industry, adhesives demand will benefit from technological advances, the study concludes.

Areas of notable technological development will include silicone release agents and adhesives for electronic equipment. The packaging and printing markets will continue to account for the majority of radiation-cure product demand, but the strongest growth rates will be seen in specialty markets such as electrical and electronic materials, flooring and furniture and the motor-vehicle and medical- and dental-product segments, the report says.