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Trends and opportunities shaping the adhesives and sealants industry in 2025-26

TrendsCoatings & Construction
Trends Commentary "Building Tomorrow 2025-26"
Discover the key trends shaping the adhesives and sealants industry in 2025-26
Key trends for adhesives and sealants in 2025-26

From the adhesives that hold together the components of our smartphones to the sealants that keep our windows airtight, these products stick with us forever.

Discover what will shape the future of the adhesives and sealants industry 

The global adhesives and sealants market is expected to grow between 3% and 5% in the next two years. 

Strongest regional growth is in Asia-Pacific

The main source of market growth comes from the Asia-Pacific region, notably China, India, and Japan, based on growing urban populations and improving disposable income levels.1 The Middle East & African regions are also set for growth, based on expanding populations, rising disposable income, and changing lifestyles.2 

Construction, transportation, and packaging are the industries with the highest growth

The growth of the adhesives and sealants is primarily driven by three industries: packaging, construction and transportation.1 These sectors are expanding rapidly due to trends like new building techniques,3 lightweighting,4 and online commerce, which are fueling demand for adhesives and sealants, further propelling the growth in these markets. 

Regulatory pressure accelerates VOC emissions reduction

As environmental regulations become more stringent, manufacturers continue working to reduce VOC emissions1 and other measures of their carbon footprint to meet sustainability standards, showing the overall importance of the Green & Circular and Healthy Future trends. These regulatory pressures not only shape corporate strategies but also drive advancements in adhesive and sealant technologies. 

Shift towards water-based and hot-melt adhesive technologies

In response to these trends, solvent-based adhesives are gradually being replaced by more sustainable alternatives, including water-based, hot-melt,6 and reactive adhesives. Water-based adhesives alone account for nearly one-third of the total demand.5 

How sustainability trends are transforming key adhesive industries

Taking a closer look at the three growth sectors, here is how the sustainability trends relate to each industry: 

  • Packaging adhesives growth is linked to the demand for circular products. For example, hotmelt and water-based are alternatives for creating packaging materials that can be fully compatible with recycling processes.7 Hot-melt adhesives simplify recycling by being easily removed from substrates, while water-based adhesives dissolve in water, enhancing material separation and compatibility with circular processes. 
  • The building industry uses mainly water-based or hot-melt adhesives for flooring, roofing, and insulation applications. The increasing use of cross-laminated timber will also impact the products used in the adhesives market.8  
  • Automotive and transportation has a major focus in efficiency. Strategies to improve fuel efficiency, meet emissions standards, and enhance vehicle performance while keeping structural integrity will drive the demand for lightweight adhesives.8 

Q. What megatrends do you foresee shaping this market segment over the next two years?
A. Many new developments in adhesives are—and will continue to be—driven by the growing attention to sustainability. More specifically, I foresee this impact in the circular economy approach, as well as improvements in human safety, both in production and product use, such as in VOC or SVHC reduction.This sustainability focus will certainly open up new opportunities for those who have had the courage to invest seriously.

Q. What key formulation trends do you anticipate will dominate in the next two years?
A. The development focus seems to be oriented towards bio-based, recyclable, or biodegradable solutions, while trying to maintain today’s quality standards and bonding performance. As a first step towards greener products, we are already starting to see water-based or hot-melt products replace solvent-based adhesives and sealants. Based on market research, water-based products will be the most used product in 2025, making up nearly one-third of all demand. Reactive and hot-melt adhesives and sealants are also expected to have great growth opportunities. Hot-melt adhesives do not release VOCs during application, offer superior shelf life, and pose fewer challenges for disposal at end-of-life.

Q. In your opinion, how significant will the impact of sustainability be over the next two years?
A. Focusing on the next two years is too short to achieve sustainability goals. However, prioritising sustainable practices in both production and end-user experience will continue to drive investment. Strong regulatory support will likely take time, and consistency across countries or continents won’t come quickly. Economic sustainability will be key to supporting ongoing investments in environmental sustainability.


  1. https://digitaledition.adhesivesmag.com/june-2024/market-report/,  
  2. https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/100373-packaging-adhesives-market-exhibits-growth-potential, 
  3. https://www.adhesivesmag. com/articles/100641-the-global-construction-adhesives-market-is-anticipated-to-reach-1788-billion-by-2031, 
  4. https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/99990-factmr-releases-report-on-market-for-twocomponent-adhesives, 
  5. https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/99846-freedonia-group-predicts-adhesives-and-sealants-market-to-reach-81-billion-by-2025,
  6. https://www.adhesivesmag.com/articles/100114- hot-melt-adhesives-market-grows-amid-supply-chain-and-raw-material-challenges
  7. https://www.feica.eu/information-center/feica-blog/2023/adhesives-empowering-sustainable-packaging,
  8. https://digitaledition.adhesivesmag.com/june-2024/market-report/?
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