Discussing the development and advancements being implemented in adhesives and sealants for industrial applications, solution providers believe that the future of adhesives and sealants lies in low VOC and environment compatible products.

The market for adhesives and sealants in India is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8 percent by 2027, against the earlier estimated value of US$ 1,100 Million in 2021. Following the pandemic and its impacts across has delayed the growth prospects.

Developments in adhesive technologies for construction and infra projects 

The construction industry is witnessing multifold changes from increased engineered building material usage, offsite construction, and green buildings with focus on environment and evolving building codes. 

According to Vinay Rao, Senior General Manager, Industrial Adhesives & Tapes Division, 3M India, “Given the dynamics 3M with a legacy of innovation in the bonding space has a wide spectrum of solutions which can address these trends and requirements. Specific to advancements there has been broader adaption of Sprayable Aerosol adhesives delivering the ease of use and convenience also doing more with less material, flexibility of pre-assembly at offsite facilitated by range of pressure sensitive adhesive solutions and innovation in Structural adhesives, especially in acrylic adhesives and hybrid chemistries enabling faster cure cycle giving impetus to productivity for faster turnaround.”

There are also specific needs emerging in the market which need the adhesives as design ready for simulation and analysis for predictive modelling and increasing ask on semi automation for dispensing these adhesives.

According to Rahul Rajgaria, Founder, Pentagon Tapes, “In the construction and infrastructure industry, there has always been a search for adhesive solutions which can help in achieving a strong and reliable trust without damaging the surface from the exterior and pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes were able to deliver just that. As these tapes have a similar application process to using an ordinary double-sided tape, this does not require any special training or experience, but the results are impeccable and seamless.” 

Over a last decade or so we can see industry adapting to new Modified SMP chemistry and hybrid sealant that deliver performance meeting all requirements and are more durable. Noting the progress, Vinay highlights that from a Building codes and policies for Infrastructure one can see more and more adaptation of Solutions in Fire & Safety based on intumescent, ablative science-based sealants and coatings which are aligned to UL standards.

Whereas, Rahul is of view that initially, in the glazing industry only black sealants were available which limited the architectural design but the introduction of colourful sealants gave both builders and architect’s the liberty to design thinking of ideas outside the box keeping the customer’s preferences in mind.

Eco-friendly features gaining prominence 

Water-based and low-VOC products are gaining greater prominence in the market. The demand is high for adhesives and sealants that give off fewer emissions. Looking at the same, Vinay articulated that many of the liquid adhesives meet specific standard air quality standards and are green-guard certified. Low VOC sprayable products have been a great alternative well accepted by the Indian construction market, where most applications were previously serviced by toluene-based rubber adhesives, which are harmful to health and the environment. 

While we are moving towards a sustainable future it is preferential in today’s time architects and contractors that the products which they use should not deplete the environment, small steps like these are certain to make a stronger impact in the long run and this has already encouraged many companies towards working on making their products into eco-friendly ones. Further elaborating on Pentagon tapes, Rahul highlights that their adhesive tapes are lab tested, and are eco-friendly in nature, and that their R&D team is relentlessly working towards developing eco friendly sealants as well.

Future ahead

 The demand for adhesives and sealants is booming across the construction and infrastructure segment owing to its characteristics and physical properties; including good adhesion and elasticity, cohesion, flexible strength and many more. Future ahead The demand for adhesives and sealants is booming across the construction and infrastructure segment owing to its characteristics and physical properties; including good adhesion and elasticity, cohesion, flexible strength and many more.