Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are adhesives that bond dissimilar materials on application of pressure. These adhesives are dry adhesive, as they do not require heat, water, or solvents to initiate bonding. Pressure sensitive adhesives are used to affix a wide range of materials, including plastics, wood, paper, metals, and glass. These are thick at room temperature, they are simple to install, have short curing times, and exhibit peel resistant and shear resistant properties. Thus, these adhesives are widely used for their beneficial properties over other adhesives. PSAs are also cost-effective as compared to other adhesives, welding and brazing. The demand for these adhesives is thus increasing, resulting in growth of the global pressure sensitive adhesives market.

Major factors driving growth of the PSA market include its extensive application in tapes and labelling, which is primarily due to ease of application and high adaptability. Major challenge faced by this market includes low availability of raw materials and rising cost of these adhesives. Moreover, environmental concerns about VOC content of these adhesives is expected to hamper market growth, in turn, increasing inclination towards bio-based adhesives.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market Taxonomy

On basis of type of resin

Rubber-based

Natural



Synthetic

Acrylic

Water-based



Solvent-based

Silicone

EVA

Others (Polyurethanes, Hybrid, and Others)

On basis of application

Tapes

Coating



Single Coated





Double Coated





Reinforced





Others



Tape Type



Specialty Tape





Masking Tape





Packaging Tape





Consumer Tape





Others

Labels

Permanent



Peelable



Frost-Fix



High Tack

Graphics

Signage



Vehicle Wraps



Logos & Emblems



Carpets & Mats



Floors



Films



Others

Specialty

Others

On basis of technology

Solvent Solution

One Component



Two Component

Water-based

Emulsions



Aqueous Solution

Solid Hot Melt

Radiation

UV Cured



Electronic Beam Cured

On basis of End User

Automotive & Transportation

Packaging

Electronics

Medical & Healthcare

Medical Devices



Health & Personal Care

Building & Construction

Paper Industry

Printing Industry

Consumer Goods

Power Generation

Solar Power



Wind Power

Others

Rubber-based products have high tack and peel properties, as well as are highly cost effective. They are also compatible with various non-polar surfaces. Also, their applications are limited to instances where exposure to heat, chemicals and UV rays is minimal. Acrylic products are optimal for outdoor applications due to UV, thermal and chemical resistance. Though, they lack the mechanical durability of rubber-based products. Furthermore, silicone products are special purpose adhesives and are expensive.

Packaging is the largest end use industry, due to demand from tapes and labelling segment. PSAs are used as temporary sealant in packaging and bandages in the healthcare sector. These applications are possible due to the shear and peel properties of PSAs. A lower shear and peel resistance than other adhesives makes it a prime candidate for temporary sealing.

Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing market over the forecast period. This is primarily due to increase in consumption of goods in major developing markets of India and China. This has led to demand in the retail labelling segment. In addition, packaged food and beverages consumption has increased due to on-the-go lifestyle. This has directly translated into packaging and PSA market growth.

The demand for high value specialty tapes has risen in the regions of Europe and North America. These regions are expected to experience torpid growth due to market maturation.

Various are adopting various inorganic growth strategies such as mergers and acquisitions in order to sustain their position in the global market. For instance, Henkel Ag & Co acquired Novamelt GmbH to further consolidate its position in the adhesives market. Moreover, France-based company Arkema’s acquisition of Bostik, enabled the company to sell its products in India. Major players operating in the pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) market include The Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Chemicals, Arizona Chemicals, BASF SE, Scapa Group Plc, Avery Dennison, Arkema, and Henkel Ag & Co.

Key Developments:

In June 2019, BASF SE, a global leader in manufacturing raw materials for pressure sensitive adhesives, doubled its manufacturing capacity of acResin at its Ludwigshafen site, Germany. acResin is a UV acrylic hot melt, used in manufacturing of the pressure sensitive adhesives.

Various companies participates in different events and exhibitions in order to promote their product portfolio and enhance customer base. For instance, in April 2019, Engineered Polymer Solutions (EPS) presented its portfolio of acrylic emulsions at the Annual Spring EXPO of Adhesives and Sealant Council, held in Philadelphia, USA. Their products are aimed at maximizing the performance of permanent and removable pressure-sensitive adhesives.

In 2018, the Ohio-based company, Ashland, launched its ‘Aroset 2100’ Pressure Sensitive Adhesive at the Pressure Sensitive Tape Council Tape Summit 2018, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Aroset 2100 offers characteristics such as superior adhesion to polar surfaces, excellent solvent resistance, high degree of optical clarity, high temperature shear, and good loop & probe track.

In 2017, Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company had introduced a new Acrylic Pressure Sensitive Adhesive, ROBOND PS-7735. This acrylic adhesive offers wide range of service temperature, minimum application temperature (MAT), faster coating speeds, and good stability for paper label applications.

Major players operating in the pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) market include The Dow Chemical Company, ExxonMobil Chemicals, Arizona Chemicals, BASF SE, Scapa Group Plc, Avery Dennison, Arkema, and Henkel Ag & Co.