July 2025
The global adhesives market size was reached at USD 68.95 billion in 2024 and is expected to be worth around USD 124.77 billion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.11% over the forecast period 2025 to 2034. The increased need for strong bonding capacity and lightweight material has fueled industry potential in the current period.
The Backbone of Modern Manufacturing: Exploring the Adhesives Industry
The adhesives market refers to the global industry involved in the production, distribution, and application of substances used to bond materials together. Adhesives are chemical formulations used across diverse industries to replace traditional bonding methods like welding, soldering, and mechanical fastening, offering benefits such as weight reduction, improved aesthetics, and material versatility. These are formulated using various chemistries and are applied in sectors like automotive, construction, packaging, electronics, and medical devices.
The enlarged expansion of the packaging industry has spearheaded the industry's growth in recent years. Moreover, the sectors such as e-commerce, food delivery, and consumer goods have seen a heavy demand for adhesives in recent years. Furthermore, having properties such as strength, lightweight, and eco-friendliness, the adhesives have gained immense industry attention in the early years. Also, several companies have observed the upgradation of their traditional fasteners with high-performance adhesives in recent years.
Report Attribute | Details |
Market Size in 2025 | USD 73.16 Billion |
Expected Size by 2034 | USD 124.77 Billion |
Growth Rate from 2025 to 2034 | CAGR 6.11% |
Base Year of Estimation | 2024 |
Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
Dominant Region | Asia Pacific |
Segment Covered | By Technology, By Resin Type (Polymer Chemistry), By Form, By Application (End-Use Industry), By Substrate Material, By End-user Functionality, By Region |
Key Companies Market | Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, 3M Company, Sika AG, H.B. Fuller Company, Arkema S.A. (Bostik) , Dow Inc., Avery Dennison Corporation, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Huntsman Corporation, Pidilite Industries Limited , MAPEI S.p.A., Wacker Chemie AG , RPM International Inc., Franklin International, LORD Corporation (Parker Hannifin), Jowat SE , ITW Performance Polymers, Permabond LLC, Dymax Corporation, Soudal G |
EV Boom Fuels Demand for Lightweight, Thermally Efficient Adhesives
The development of high-performance adhesives for electric vehicles is expected to create lucrative opportunities for manufacturers in the coming years. Moreover, by reducing the weight of the vehicle while improving the thermal capacity, these adhesives can gain significant industry share in the coming years. Furthermore, the manufacturers can create the collaboration with Ev manufacturing companies which gives them long term profit margin and trustworthy client base in the coming years.
Volatile Petrochemical Prices Threaten Stability in Adhesive Manufacturing
The price fluctuation of the raw material is anticipated to hinder the industry's growth in the coming years, as the adhesives are mainly made from petrochemical-based ingredients, which are highly unpredictable for pricing. The ongoing trade wars and environmental regulations can create several barriers to the development of these adhesives, which is likely to hamper the industry's potential in the coming years.
Asia Pacific
The Asia Pacific region dominated the market in 2024, akin to the huge manufacturing base. The regional countries, such as China, India, and Japan, are seen under the heavy revolution of the sectors like electronics, furniture, packaging, and construction materials, where adhesives are considered a crucial material. Furthermore, the government-backed supportive policies for consumer goods have actively contributed to the industry's growth in recent years.
What Makes China’s Manufacturing Strength a Magnet for Adhesive Producers?
China maintained its dominance in the adhesives market, owing to the presence of heavy industries. Moreover, the country is being considered as the global hub for the manufacturing sectors such as the construction, automotive, and electronics, which is significantly seen as providing a sophisticated consumer base to the industry. Furthermore, having the availability of raw materials with low labor costs, global manufacturers have been observed to be shifting their manufacturing bases to the country in recent years.
North America
North America is expected to capture a major share of the market during the forecast period, owing to having access to advanced manufacturing technologies and heavy industrial infrastructure. Moreover, the regional manufacturers are observed in the development of eco-friendly adhesives due to the global sustainability shift. Furthermore, the industries have been actively seen under the heavy demand for high-performance adhesives in recent years.
Could the United States Become the Global Hub for High-Tech Adhesive Innovation?
The United States is expected to rise as a dominant country in the region in the coming years, owing to the presence of advanced sectors such as the automotive, aerospace, and electronics sectors. These sectors are seen under the heavy advancements where the adhesives are considered as the crucial material due to their lightweight properties. Moreover, the manufacturers are putting a heavy investment into research and development for advanced materials in recent years.
How did the Water-Based Adhesives Segment Dominate the Adhesives Market in 2024?
The water-based adhesives segment held the largest share of the market in 2024, due to their safety and eco-friendly nature. Moreover, having unique properties such as the easily applicable, efficiently working on porous surfaces like wood and paper, the water-based adhesives have gained immense industry attention in recent years. Furthermore, the packaging and furniture industries have actively provided a huge consumer base to the segment in recent years.
The reactive adhesives segment is expected to grow at a notable rate during the predicted timeframe due to their stronger bonding capacities and working ability in any conditions, such as moisture, vibration, and heat. Furthermore, the major sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics are increasingly using reactive adhesives these days, as per the recent industry survey. As the demand for durable and faster adhesives increases, reactive adhesives can gain major industry share in the coming years.
Why does the Acrylic Segment Dominate the Adhesives Market by Process Type?
The acrylic segment held the largest share of the adhesives market in 2024, owing to its offers benefits such as flexibility, strength, and durability. Furthermore, having greater water resistance and UV, the acrylic segment has gained immense industry attention in recent years, as per recent reports.
The polyurethane segment is expected to grow at a notable rate, owing to the increased need for the superior bonding strength and the flexibility over recent years. The sectors such as the construction, automotive, and footwear industries are actively using these polyurethanes for their efficient working nowadays. Also, the mixing of strength and improvement in formulation is likely to create greater opportunities for the polyurethane segment in the coming years, as per the future industry experience.
Why Did the Liquid Segment Dominate the Adhesives Market in 2024?
The liquid segment dominated the market with the largest share in 2024 because it's easy to apply, spreads evenly, and works well for many materials and surfaces. Liquid adhesives are commonly used in packaging, furniture, and construction as they can fill gaps and create strong bonds. They're also compatible with different application tools like brushes, rollers, or automated dispensers.
The pellet segments are expected to grow at a notable rate. They offer easy handling, consistent quality, and are ideal for automated systems. These solid adhesives are melted and applied using machines, making them perfect for modern, high-speed production lines. They reduce waste, have a longer shelf life, and are cleaner to store and transport than liquids.
Why Did the Paper & Cardboard Segment Dominate the Adhesives Market in 2024?
The paper & cardboard segment held the largest share of the market in 2024, as they are seen under the heavy usage of sectors such as the packaging, cartons, and labelling. Furthermore, industries like e-commerce, food delivery, and retail need adhesives to seal boxes, attach labels, and assemble packages. Paper and cardboard are lightweight, cheap, and easy to bond with water-based or hot-melt adhesives.
The composites segment is expected to grow at a notable rate during the predicted timeframe because they are used more in high-tech industries like automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics. Composites are made by combining materials like plastic and fiber to create strong, lightweight parts. These are hard to bond with traditional methods, so specialized adhesives are needed.
How does the Packaging Segment Maintain Dominance in the Pressure Type?
The packaging segment held the largest share of the market in 2024 because they are suitable for residential heating, small commercial setups, and industries that do not need high steam pressure. These boilers are safer, easier to operate, and more cost-effective for smaller tasks. They are often used in apartment buildings, small manufacturing units, and food processing units.
The automotive and transportation segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period because vehicles are becoming lighter, safer, and more fuel-efficient. Adhesives help replace heavy bolts and welding, reducing weight and improving performance. They also bond different materials like aluminum, carbon fiber, and plastics-essential for electric and hybrid vehicles. As carmakers push for better aerodynamics, crash safety, and energy savings, high-performance adhesives are increasingly used in interiors, exteriors, engines, and electronics.
Why is the Non-Structural Adhesives Segment Dominating the Industry in 2024?
The non-structural segment led the market in 2024. They are used in everyday applications where extreme strength isn't needed. These include paper bonding, labeling, packaging, arts, crafts, and general repairs. They're easy to use, fast to apply, and cost-effective-perfect for large-volume applications like packaging and disposable products. Since most industries use adhesives in lightweight, low-load settings, non-structural adhesives see wide usage.
The structural adhesives segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate in the market during the forecast period, because industries need stronger, longer-lasting bonding solutions for performance-critical applications. These adhesives hold parts together under heavy loads, extreme temperatures, or vibration-important for automotive, aerospace, construction, and electronics.
By Technology (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2024 - 2034)
By Resin Type (Polymer Chemistry) (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2024 - 2034)
By Form (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2024 - 2034)
By Application (End-Use Industry) (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2024 - 2034)
By Substrate Material (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2024 - 2034)
By End-user Functionality (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2024 - 2034)
By Region
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