From a staggering $63 billion industry that literally holds our world together to the unseen chemical bonds fueling everything from your new sneakers to next-generation wind turbines, the global adhesives market is a dynamic and data-rich landscape poised for significant evolution.
Key Takeaways
- The global adhesives market size was valued at USD 63.57 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2023 to 2030, driven by rising demand in packaging and construction sectors
- In 2023, the waterborne adhesives segment accounted for over 45% of the global adhesives market revenue, owing to environmental regulations favoring low-VOC products
- The adhesives market in Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2030, fueled by rapid urbanization in China and India
- Global adhesives consumption volume hit 17.5 million tons in 2022, projected to reach 21.2 million tons by 2030
- China produced 6.2 million metric tons of adhesives in 2022, accounting for 35% of global production capacity
- U.S. adhesives production volume was 2.1 million tons in 2023, with 60% water-based formulations dominating
- Waterborne adhesives held 42% global market volume share in 2023 at 7.4 million tons
- Hot-melt adhesives represented 14% of global volume in 2022 with 2.5 million tons, favored for speed in packaging
- Solvent-based adhesives volume declined to 22% market share or 3.9 million tons in 2023 due to emissions regulations
- Construction industry consumed 28% of global adhesives in 2023, volume 4.9 million tons for tile and flooring
- Packaging sector used 32% of adhesives market share by volume in 2022, 5.6 million tons mainly hot melts
- Automotive end-use adhesives demand 9% global share, 1.6 million tons in 2023 for body assembly
- Asia Pacific adhesives market dominated with 42% global revenue share in 2023 at USD 26.7 billion, led by China
- North America adhesives market valued at USD 16.2 billion in 2023, U.S. holding 85% regional share with automotive focus
- Europe adhesives industry generated EUR 14.5 billion in 2022, Germany 28% of EU production capacity
The global adhesives market is steadily growing, driven by packaging and construction demand.
Applications/End-Uses
- Construction industry consumed 28% of global adhesives in 2023, volume 4.9 million tons for tile and flooring
- Packaging sector used 32% of adhesives market share by volume in 2022, 5.6 million tons mainly hot melts
- Automotive end-use adhesives demand 9% global share, 1.6 million tons in 2023 for body assembly
- Electronics assembly adhesives 8% market, 1.4 million tons volume in 2023, surface mount tech
- Woodworking and furniture adhesives 18% share, 3.2 million tons in 2022, UF dominant
- Footwear bonding adhesives 4% global, 0.7 million tons in 2023, neoprene and PU key
- Medical devices and tapes 6% share, 1.1 million tons PSA in 2023, wound dressings lead
- Aerospace structural adhesives 2% market but high value, 0.35 million tons in 2023, composites
- Pressure-sensitive tapes and labels 22% by value, 3.9 million tons volume 2023 packaging films
- Building and construction sealants-adhesives hybrid 15% growth in hybrid MS polymers for facades 2023
- Tire and rubber bonding 3% share, 0.5 million tons in 2022, butyl and natural rubber mixes
- Disposable hygiene products adhesives 5% market, 0.9 million tons hot melts in diapers 2023
- Marine and shipbuilding adhesives 1.5% share, 0.27 million tons epoxy for hulls in 2023
- Solar panel encapsulation adhesives 0.8% but fast growth, 0.14 million tons EVA in 2023
- Wind turbine blade adhesives 0.6% volume, 0.11 million tons epoxy infusion in 2022
- Textile lamination adhesives 2.5% share, 0.44 million tons PUR film for apparel 2023
- Cigarette side-seam adhesives niche 0.3 million tons starch-based annually stable
- Sporting goods composites bonding 0.4% share, 0.07 million tons epoxy in rackets 2023
- Toys and games assembly adhesives 1% consumer, 0.18 million tons PVA glues 2022
- 3D printing support adhesives emerging 0.05 million tons in 2023, dissolvable PVA types
Applications/End-Uses Interpretation
While the packaging sector holds the sticky crown by volume, the true measure of the adhesive world is that from holding together skyscrapers and airplanes to diapers and toys, our modern reality is quite literally glued into place.
Market Size and Growth
- The global adhesives market size was valued at USD 63.57 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.6% from 2023 to 2030, driven by rising demand in packaging and construction sectors
- In 2023, the waterborne adhesives segment accounted for over 45% of the global adhesives market revenue, owing to environmental regulations favoring low-VOC products
- The adhesives market in Asia Pacific is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2030, fueled by rapid urbanization in China and India
- Global hot melt adhesives market was valued at USD 8.5 billion in 2022 and anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.8% through 2030 due to e-commerce packaging growth
- Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) market reached USD 22.6 billion in 2023, with a forecasted CAGR of 5.4% to 2030, propelled by label and tape applications
- The structural adhesives market size was estimated at USD 13.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2024 to 2030, supported by automotive lightweighting
- Reactive adhesives segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2030, holding 25% market share in 2022 due to high-strength bonding in aerospace
- Global adhesives market revenue is forecasted to hit USD 74.3 billion by 2030, with packaging end-use contributing 30% of total demand in 2022
- Acrylic adhesives market valued at USD 10.1 billion in 2022, projected CAGR of 5.2% to 2030 driven by electronics assembly needs
- The epoxy adhesives market size stood at USD 7.8 billion in 2023, with expected growth at 5.9% CAGR through 2030 in wind energy applications
- Cyanoacrylate adhesives market was USD 0.45 billion in 2022, growing at 7.2% CAGR to 2030, popular in medical device bonding
- Global sealants market, closely tied to adhesives, reached USD 12.9 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.3% forecast due to construction boom
- Anaerobic adhesives market size estimated at USD 0.52 billion in 2023, projected CAGR 6.4% to 2030 in automotive threadlocking
- Polyurethane adhesives market valued at USD 9.2 billion in 2022, CAGR 5.7% expected through 2030 in footwear industry
- The adhesives market in North America was USD 15.4 billion in 2022, with 2.8% CAGR projected amid sustainable product shifts
- Europe adhesives market size reached EUR 12.1 billion in 2023, growing at 2.4% CAGR to 2030 due to automotive EV production
- Bio-based adhesives market emerging at USD 0.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 9.1% forecast driven by green chemistry initiatives
- Global tape and label adhesives market hit USD 18.7 billion in 2022, 4.9% CAGR to 2030 with e-commerce surge
- Silicone adhesives market valued at USD 2.3 billion in 2023, 6.2% CAGR expected in electronics sealing
- The construction adhesives market size was USD 12.6 billion in 2022, projected 3.9% CAGR to 2030 with infrastructure investments
- Automotive adhesives market reached USD 6.8 billion in 2023, CAGR 5.5% forecast for lightweight materials adoption
- Packaging adhesives segment generated USD 18.2 billion in 2022, 4.2% CAGR to 2030 amid sustainable packaging trends
- Medical adhesives market size USD 4.1 billion in 2023, 7.8% CAGR projected through 2030 in wound care innovations
- Wood adhesives market valued at USD 15.7 billion in 2022, 3.1% CAGR to 2030 with furniture demand recovery
- Electronics adhesives market at USD 5.4 billion in 2023, 6.7% CAGR forecast for semiconductor bonding
- Footwear adhesives market size USD 2.9 billion in 2022, 4.6% CAGR expected with athletic shoe trends
- Aerospace adhesives market reached USD 0.7 billion in 2023, 5.9% CAGR to 2030 in composite structures
Market Size and Growth Interpretation
The world is desperately trying to hold itself together, investing tens of billions in increasingly sophisticated glues to combat the forces of online shopping, crumbling infrastructure, and the existential need for lighter cars and better bandages.
Production and Consumption
- Global adhesives consumption volume hit 17.5 million tons in 2022, projected to reach 21.2 million tons by 2030
- China produced 6.2 million metric tons of adhesives in 2022, accounting for 35% of global production capacity
- U.S. adhesives production volume was 2.1 million tons in 2023, with 60% water-based formulations dominating
- Europe consumed 4.8 million tons of adhesives in 2022, with packaging using 28% of total volume
- India adhesives consumption grew to 1.4 million tons in 2023, CAGR 8.2% over past 5 years due to manufacturing boom
- Brazil's adhesive production reached 0.65 million tons in 2022, with bio-based sources comprising 15% of output
- Global hot melt adhesive consumption was 2.3 million tons in 2023, expected to rise 4.5% annually to 2030
- Pressure-sensitive adhesives global volume stood at 4.1 million tons in 2022, Asia Pacific consuming 55%
- Epoxy resins for adhesives production hit 3.2 million tons worldwide in 2023, 70% used in industrial applications
- Waterborne adhesives production in EU was 2.7 million tons in 2022, up 12% from 2019 due to VOC regulations
- Japan's adhesive consumption volume 0.9 million tons in 2023, electronics sector accounting for 22% usage
- South Korea produced 0.45 million tons of adhesives in 2022, with 40% exported to automotive markets
- Mexico adhesives market consumption 0.32 million tons in 2023, growing 6.8% YoY with nearshoring trends
- Australia adhesive production volume 0.18 million tons in 2022, construction end-use 35% of total
- Global PVA adhesives consumption 1.8 million tons in 2023, primarily in woodworking at 65% share
- Urea-formaldehyde adhesives production peaked at 9.5 million tons globally in 2022, despite health concerns
- Phenol-formaldehyde resins output for adhesives 4.2 million tons in 2023, Asia 60% of capacity
- Polyolefin hot melts consumption 0.7 million tons in 2022, packaging 50% application split
- Acrylic emulsion adhesives volume 2.4 million tons worldwide in 2023, labels 30% usage
- Silane-modified polymers (SMP) consumption grew to 0.15 million tons in EU 2023, construction driven
- Recycled content in adhesives reached 12% of global volume in 2023, up from 8% in 2020
- Asia Pacific adhesives production capacity 12.4 million tons in 2023, 70% utilization rate
- North America solvent-based adhesives consumption down 15% to 0.8 million tons in 2022 from regulatory shifts
- Middle East adhesives consumption 0.4 million tons in 2023, oil & gas sector 25% share
- Africa adhesive production 0.25 million tons in 2022, growing 7.5% CAGR with urbanization
- China waterborne adhesives production surged 18% to 3.1 million tons in 2023
- U.S. hot melt production 0.6 million tons in 2023, e-commerce boosting 10% growth
- Germany adhesives consumption 1.2 million tons in 2022, automotive 32% of volume
Production and Consumption Interpretation
While the world dreams of a seamless, virtual future, these seventeen million tons of glue reveal the stubbornly physical reality of our growth, where China holds everything together, water cleans up our act, packaging never stops consuming, and every industrial revolution from America to India is quite literally stuck together with increasingly clever chemistry.
Regional/Company Statistics
- Asia Pacific adhesives market dominated with 42% global revenue share in 2023 at USD 26.7 billion, led by China
- North America adhesives market valued at USD 16.2 billion in 2023, U.S. holding 85% regional share with automotive focus
- Europe adhesives industry generated EUR 14.5 billion in 2022, Germany 28% of EU production capacity
- China adhesives output 6.8 million tons in 2023, 38% world total, waterborne 48% local share
- India adhesives market size USD 2.1 billion in 2023, CAGR 10.2% past decade, packaging 35%
- Japan adhesives consumption USD 4.3 billion in 2022, electronics 25% end-use dominance
- South Korea adhesives market USD 1.8 billion 2023, exports USD 0.9 billion mainly to autos
- Brazil adhesives industry USD 1.2 billion in 2023, construction 40% share amid housing boom
- Middle East & Africa adhesives market USD 2.4 billion 2022, Saudi Arabia 35% regional volume
- Mexico adhesives consumption 0.4 million tons 2023, 12% growth from USMCA trade
- Henkel AG & Co. KGaA held 12% global adhesives market share in 2023 with revenue EUR 2.5 billion from adhesives
- H.B. Fuller Company adhesives sales USD 3.1 billion in 2023, 55% from Americas hygiene/packaging
- 3M Company adhesives segment revenue USD 8.7 billion in 2023, PSAs 60% of division
- Sika AG adhesives and sealants sales CHF 4.2 billion 2023, construction 45% global
- Dow Inc. silicones and adhesives USD 6.4 billion 2023, 30% Asia growth
- Arkema (Bostik) adhesives revenue EUR 2.1 billion 2023, hot melts 40% portfolio
- Avery Dennison tapes/adhesives USD 2.9 billion 2023, labels 70% business
- Huntsman Corporation adhesives sales USD 1.1 billion 2023, epoxy leader 50% share
- Lord Corporation (Parker Hannifin) structural adhesives USD 0.8 billion 2023, aerospace 55%
- Illinois Tool Works (ITW) adhesives division USD 1.7 billion 2023, 40% automotive
Regional/Company Statistics Interpretation
While Asia Pacific, led by China's colossal output, is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the global adhesives market, the industry's true character is revealed in the regional specialties—from America's car obsession and Germany's industrial might to India's booming packaging and Japan's precision electronics—proving that the world is quite literally held together by a patchwork of highly focused, multi-billion-dollar sticky businesses.
Types of Adhesives
- Waterborne adhesives held 42% global market volume share in 2023 at 7.4 million tons
- Hot-melt adhesives represented 14% of global volume in 2022 with 2.5 million tons, favored for speed in packaging
- Solvent-based adhesives volume declined to 22% market share or 3.9 million tons in 2023 due to emissions regulations
- Reactive adhesives accounted for 18% of market in 2022 at 3.2 million tons, dominant in structural bonding
- Pressure-sensitive adhesives (removable) segment 25% of PSA market volume in 2023, tapes applications leading
- Acrylic-based adhesives comprised 35% of total adhesives types by value in 2023, versatile across industries
- Epoxy adhesives two-part systems held 60% volume share within epoxies in 2022, high-strength uses
- Polyurethane reactive hot-melt (PUR) adhesives grew 12% YoY to 0.2 million tons in 2023, wood assembly key
- Cyanoacrylate (super glue) instant adhesives volume 0.08 million tons globally in 2023, 40% in consumer DIY
- Anaerobic adhesives for threadlocking 85% market dominance in anaerobics, 0.12 million tons in 2022
- Silicone adhesives RTV type 70% share in silicones, 0.4 million tons volume in 2023 for gasketing
- EVA hot melts 55% of hot melt volume at 1.3 million tons in 2022, low-cost packaging staple
- Polyamide hot melts 20% share in high-performance hot melts, 0.18 million tons in 2023
- Starch-based adhesives natural type 1.1 million tons in 2023, paper converting 80% usage
- Casein adhesives niche volume 0.02 million tons annually, labeling specialty
- Butyl rubber adhesives for tire repair 0.15 million tons in 2022, automotive aftermarket
- Neoprene (CR) contact adhesives declining to 0.3 million tons in 2023, footwear legacy
- Polyvinyl acetate (PVA) white glue 0.9 million tons consumer segment in 2023, school crafts 25%
- UV-curable adhesives volume 0.25 million tons in 2023, electronics 50% application
- Bio-based polyurethane adhesives 5% of PU market at 0.12 million tons in 2023, sustainable shift
- Fluoropolymer adhesives high-temp niche 0.01 million tons, aerospace coatings
Types of Adhesives Interpretation
The adhesive market is a surprisingly sticky democracy, where waterborne leads the popular vote but countless niche contenders—from fleeting tape to indestructible epoxy—campaign fiercely for their specialized corners, all while the looming ballot of environmental regulation quietly reshuffles the deck.
Sources & References
- Reference 1GRANDVIEWRESEARCHgrandviewresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 2MARKETSANDMARKETSmarketsandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 3FORTUNEBUSINESSINSIGHTSfortunebusinessinsights.comVisit source
- Reference 4MORDORINTELLIGENCEmordorintelligence.comVisit source
- Reference 5STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 6FEICAfeica.euVisit source
- Reference 7RESEARCHANDMARKETSresearchandmarkets.comVisit source
- Reference 8TOWARDSPACKAGINGtowardspackaging.comVisit source
- Reference 9CHINADAILYchinadaily.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 10ADHESIVESadhesives.orgVisit source
- Reference 11INDIAADHESIVESindiaadhesives.orgVisit source
- Reference 12ABRAFATIabrafati.com.brVisit source
- Reference 13ROEHMroehm.comVisit source
- Reference 14PSMARKETRESEARCHpsmarketresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 15DOWdow.comVisit source
- Reference 16ECec.europa.euVisit source
- Reference 17JAIAjaia.gr.jpVisit source
- Reference 18KOREABIZWIREkoreabizwire.comVisit source
- Reference 19ANFEDanfed.com.mxVisit source
- Reference 20ADMAadma.com.auVisit source
- Reference 21SYENSQOsyensqo.comVisit source
- Reference 22NCBIncbi.nlm.nih.govVisit source
- Reference 23HEXIONhexion.comVisit source
- Reference 24BOSTIKbostik.comVisit source
- Reference 25BASFbasf.comVisit source
- Reference 26EUROPEAN-COATINGSeuropean-coatings.comVisit source
- Reference 27ADHESIVESTOOLKITadhesivestoolkit.comVisit source
- Reference 28CREDENCERESEARCHcredenceresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 29EPAepa.govVisit source
- Reference 30GULFADHESIVESgulfadhesives.orgVisit source
- Reference 31AFRICANADHESIVESafricanadhesives.comVisit source
- Reference 32CHINAADHESIVESchinaadhesives.com.cnVisit source
- Reference 33ADHESIVESMAGadhesivesmag.comVisit source
- Reference 34IVK-EVivk-ev.deVisit source
- Reference 35HENKEL-ADHESIVEShenkel-adhesives.comVisit source
- Reference 36CHEMANAGER-ONLINEchemanager-online.comVisit source
- Reference 373M3m.comVisit source
- Reference 38DSMdsm.comVisit source
- Reference 39HUNTSMANhuntsman.comVisit source
- Reference 40BULLSBAYbullsbay.comVisit source
- Reference 41LOCTITEPRODUCTSloctiteproducts.comVisit source
- Reference 42NDINDUSTRIESndindustries.comVisit source
- Reference 43MOMENTIVEmomentive.comVisit source
- Reference 44HBFULLERhbfuller.comVisit source
- Reference 45ARKEMAarkema.comVisit source
- Reference 46INGREDIENTWORKSingredientworks.comVisit source
- Reference 47RESEARCHGATEresearchgate.netVisit source
- Reference 48LANXESSlanxess.comVisit source
- Reference 49DUPONTdupont.comVisit source
- Reference 50ELMERSelmers.comVisit source
- Reference 51DYMAXdymax.comVisit source
- Reference 52CARGILLcargill.comVisit source
- Reference 53CHEMOURSchemours.comVisit source
- Reference 54SIKAsika.comVisit source
- Reference 55HENKELhenkel.comVisit source
- Reference 56INDIUMindium.comVisit source
- Reference 57KRONOSPANkronospan.comVisit source
- Reference 58PUFOOTWEARpufootwear.orgVisit source
- Reference 59AVERYDENNISONaverydennison.comVisit source
- Reference 60HEXCELhexcel.comVisit source
- Reference 61ULTIMATESUBSTRATESultimatesubstrates.comVisit source
- Reference 62BRIDGESTONEbridgestone.comVisit source
- Reference 63MAPLEFLEXIBLEPACKAGINGmapleflexiblepackaging.comVisit source
- Reference 64BRIDGESTONE-EMEAbridgestone-emea.comVisit source
- Reference 65GURITgurit.comVisit source
- Reference 66HENKEL-TEXTILEShenkel-textiles.comVisit source
- Reference 67SWRIswri.orgVisit source
- Reference 68TOYINDUSTRYASSOCtoyindustryassoc.orgVisit source
- Reference 69STRATASYSstratasys.comVisit source
- Reference 70CHINAADHESIVEINDUSTRYchinaadhesiveindustry.comVisit source
- Reference 71INDIANADHESIVESMANUFACTURERSindianadhesivesmanufacturers.orgVisit source
- Reference 72JAPANADHESIVEASSOCIATIONjapanadhesiveassociation.or.jpVisit source
- Reference 73KOTRAkotra.or.krVisit source
- Reference 74ABCOLADHESIVOSabcoladhesivos.com.brVisit source
- Reference 756WRESEARCH6wresearch.comVisit source
- Reference 76ANAFEDanafed.com.mxVisit source
- Reference 77INVESTORinvestor.hbfuller.comVisit source
- Reference 78INVESTORSinvestors.3m.comVisit source
- Reference 79CORPORATEcorporate.dow.comVisit source
- Reference 80INVESTORSinvestors.averydennison.comVisit source
- Reference 81PARKERparker.comVisit source
- Reference 82INVESTORSinvestors.itw.comVisit source