ELMWOOD PARK, NJ - According to a new study by consulting firm Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney, the global consumption of sealants was 3.6 billion pounds in 2011, worth $8.45 billion. Growth is placed at a five percent annual rate through 2016, with the Asia-Pacific region advancing eight percent per year, and North America and Europe each growing at a two percent annual rate.

Europe led in dollars in 2011; its consumption of $3.42 billion represents 40 percent of the global total. EU member countries took 88 percent of the region’s volume, while non-union members such as Russia and Turkey consumed the rest. EU consumption is forecast to grow two percent annually, while non-EU countries are projected to advance at a five percent annual rate.   

The Asia-Pacific region is second in value with a 31 percent share but is the leader in pounds with 40 percent of the total. China is the largest user of sealants in the region, with nearly 60 percent of the volume and one-half of the dollars. China and India are the high-growth countries in Asia-Pacific.

North America took 24 percent of 2011 sealant dollars, while South America accounted for three percent. North America is a mature region for sealant growth, while South America is projected to grow at a five percent annual rate.

Construction is the largest end use for sealants, representing 63 percent of the volume and dollars in 2011. The other large end use is automotive (vehicle manufacturers and automotive aftermarket), which accounts for 23-24 percent of the pounds and dollars. Insulating glass, fire stop, aerospace and industrial are smaller end uses that are treated separately in the study.

Silicones are the largest sealant type in volume with 30 percent of the pounds and are second in value with a 32 percent share. Polyurethanes, including one-component air infiltration foams, were the leader in dollars, with 35 percent of the total, and captured 28 percent of the pounds. Other larger sealant types include emulsions, silyl modified polymers, butyl and plastisol.

The above information is contained in Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney’s study, “The Global Sealants Industry,” which is available through subscription. E-mail nerlfikng@cs.com for additional information, or visit www.kusumgar-nerlfi-growney.com.