Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Market by Resin Type (Polyurethane, Polyolefin), Substrate (Plastic, Wood), Application (Automotive & Transportation, Doors & Windows, Furniture & Upholstery, Lamination, Textile), & Region - Global Forecast to 2028
The reactive hot melt adhesives market is projected to grow from USD 1.6 billion in 2022 to USD 2.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2023 and 2028. The increase in building activities is fueled by infrastructure spending.
Attractive Opportunities in the Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Market
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Source: Interviews with Experts, Secondary Sources, and MarketsandMarkets Analysis
Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Market Dynamics
Drivers: Superior properties over conventional adhesives
Reactive hot melt adhesives stand out for their environmentally friendly profile, boasting low or zero VOC content compared to traditional solvent-based counterparts. Compliant with VOC regulations, these adhesives are gaining traction due to manufacturers prioritizing eco-friendly solutions. Their solvent-free composition not only benefits the environment but also results in cost savings, including lower labor and energy expenses. Additionally, these adhesives, with properties like flexibility, high strength, and excellent adhesion to various substrates, outperform conventional options. Their notable heat resistance further attracts end users, establishing reactive hot melt adhesives as a preferred choice across diverse applications.
Restraints: High curing time compared to other technologies
Unlike some adhesives, reactive hot melt adhesives have an extended curing period, often taking several hours or even overnight. This prolonged curing time is attributed to their reliance on moisture from the air, necessitating patience for optimal bonding strength. Notably, one-part reactive hot melt adhesives may not be the ideal choice for thick bond lines due to their inherent curing characteristics. In PU-based reactive hot melt adhesives, the reaction proceeds slowly as it depends on the moisture in the substrate or air, and its adhesiveness is affected by external conditions, such as low humidity and low temperature. However, in condensation cure, radiation cure, and UV cure adhesives, the curing time is comparatively less, which negatively influences the growth of the reactive hot melt adhesives market. In condensation cure adhesives, the curing time ranges from 30 minutes to 4 hours, while UV-cure adhesives, once exposed to a UV light source, can cure almost instantly. Radiation cure adhesives take as little as a second to several minutes for curing when exposed to radiation. The presence of such potential alternatives is expected to restrain the growth of the reactive hot melt adhesives market.
Opportunities: Technological advancements in reactive hot melt adhesives
Technological advancements contribute to improved performance, versatility, and application efficiency of reactive hot melt adhesives. Advancements in curing technologies contribute to faster and more efficient curing processes. This includes the development of adhesives with quicker curing times, enabling faster production cycles in various industries. Some reactive hot melt adhesives now incorporate dual-cure systems, combining both hot melt and UV (ultraviolet) curing technologies. This provides versatility in bonding different materials and allows for enhanced curing control.Technolo gical advancements aim to enhance the temperature resistance of reactive hot melt adhesives, making them suitable for applications in extreme temperature conditions, such as those encountered in the automotive and aerospace industries. There is more focus on developing bio-based and sustainable formulations for reactive hot melt adhesives. This addresses the growing demand for eco-friendly adhesives that have minimal environmental impact.
Challenges: Low open time for application
Open time refers to the period during which the adhesive remains in a state suitable for bonding after application. If the open time is too short (low open time), there is limited time available for assembling or positioning the bonded components. This can be challenging, especially in applications that require precision or involve complex assemblies. The open time of reactive hot melt adhesives can be influenced by ambient temperature and humidity. In environments with elevated temperatures, the open time may be further reduced, making it challenging to control the bonding process. In situations where adjustments are needed after initial bonding, a short open time limits the window for repositioning or disassembly. This lack of flexibility may be a drawback in applications where modifications or rework are common.
Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Ecosystem
The diagram below indicates MnM coverage of the reactive hot melt adhesives ecosystem. Knowledgestore provides strategic insights on each of the nodes in the ecosystem through a cloud based, highly interactive market intellence platform.
Polyurethane by resin type accounted for the largest segment of reactive hot melt adhesives market
Polyurethane is ideal for a wide variety of applications, such as automotive interior, carpentry, woodworking, furniture repair, shoe repair, laminate countertops, broken glassware repair, ceramic ceiling tiles, and construction and remodeling. As polyurethane hot melt forms a strong bond in the initial period and then continues to strengthen as the adhesive reacts with moisture, it provides a stronger bond than a traditional hot melt.
Plastic is the fastest-growing substrate segment of reactive hot melt adhesives market
Reactive hot melt adhesives can be formulated to activate and cure at temperatures that are suitable for bonding plastics without causing damage to the material. This makes them well-suited for use on heat-sensitive plastics. These adhesives exhibit versatility in bonding various types of plastics, including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC, among others. This versatility is advantageous in industries where multiple types of plastics are used in manufacturing. The demand for plastics is rising as they are used in automotive & transportation, assembly, textile, construction, woodworking, and electronics, among other end-use industries. They are lightweight and ensure superior performance, dimension stability, and good clarity in end-products.
Automotive & Transportation by application accounted for the largest segment of reactive hot melt adhesives market
Weight reduction of automobiles is found to be an excellent way to improve fuel economy, extend the cruising range of e-cars, and decrease combustion emissions. Lightweight materials, such as composites, have started to replace steel as the preferred material in automobile components. The use of composite materials has allowed a reduction of up to 75% of vehicle weight, along with the same or higher strength. This results in savings of up to 25% in fuel consumption. Reactive hot melt adhesives help in achieving the bonding of such lighter and alternative substrates in the automobile industry. Unlike epoxy systems that are cured at high temperatures, they do not provide sufficient elongation to work with composite materials, which have a low resistance to temperature changes. Polyurethane reactive hot melt systems are widely spread to overcome this issue.
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Asia Pacific is the largest growing reactive hot melt adhesives market.
The Asia Pacific is the largest reactive hot melt adhesives market, in terms of both, value and volume, and is projected to be the fastest-growing market during the forecast period. The Chinese market for reactive hot melt adhesives has grown rapidly. It is projected to witness growth in the near future because of the continuous shift of global automobile production facilities in the country. India, China, and Indonesia are investing heavily in various end-use industries, which is likely to influence the growth of the reactive hot melt adhesives market in these countries.
Key Market Players
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (US), H.B. Fuller Company (US), Jowat SE (Germany), and 3M (US) are the key players in the global reactive hot melt adhesives market.
Henkel operates globally with a well-balanced and diversified portfolio. It manufactures and distributes, homecare, laundry, cosmetics, and adhesive products. The company operates through four main business segments: Adhesive Technologies, Laundry & Home Care, Beauty Care, and Corporate. Adhesives & Ssealants are produced under the adhesive technologies segment. Henkel offers a multitude of applications to cater to the needs of different target groups: consumers, craftsmen, and industrial businesses. Henkel Adhesive Technologies is the global leader in adhesives, sealants, and functional coatings worldwide.
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Report Metric |
Details |
Years Considered for the study |
2018-2028 |
Base year |
2022 |
Forecast period |
2023–2028 |
Units considered |
Value (USD) |
Segments |
By Resin Type |
Regions covered |
Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, Middle East & Africa |
Companies profiled |
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (US), H.B. Fuller Company (US), Jowat SE (Germany), and 3M (US). A total of 25 players have been covered. |
This research report categorizes the reactive hot melt adhesives market based on Type, Technology, End-use Industry, and Region.
By Resin Type:
- Polyurethane
- Polyolefin
- Others
By Type:
- High Temperature
- Low Temperature
By Substrate:
- Plastic
- Wood
- Others
By Application:
- Automotive & Transportation
- Doors & Windows
- Furniture & Upholstery
- Lamination
- Textile
- Assembly
- Others
By Region:
- Asia Pacific
- Europe
- North America
- South America
- Middle East & Africa
Recent Developments
- In August 2023, the new PUR hot melt adhesive reactor at Henkel's Dragon Factory in Shanghai officially began production, marking a new milestone for the world's largest adhesive factory. PUR hot melt adhesive is mainly used in bonding furniture and building materials.
- In May 2023, Henkel inaugurated its Technology Center in Bridgewater, New Jersey, USA, spanning 70,000 square feet. This facility serves as an engaging hub for Henkel's strategic partners and customers, featuring the company's comprehensive technology lineup, including adhesives, sealants, functional coatings, and specialty materials. With a focus on collaboration, it encourages innovative solution development with customers across 800 industry segments.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
What are the growth driving factors of reactive hot melt adhesives?
The global reactive hot melt adhesives market size was USD 1.6 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 2.6 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2023 and 2028. Superior properties in comparison to conventional adhesives, growing demand for lightweight and low-carbon emitting vehicles, and increasing demand from construction and woodworking industries are the key factors driving the market.
What are the major applications for reactive hot melt adhesives?
The major applications of reactive hot melt adhesives are automotive & transportation, doors & windows, furniture & upholstery, lamination, assembly, textile, and others.
Who are the major manufacturers?
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (Germany), The Dow Chemical Company (US), H.B. Fuller Company (US), Jowat SE (Germany), and 3M (US), are some of the leading players operating in the global reactive hot melt adhesives market.
What are the reasons behind reactive hot melt adhesives gaining market share?
The unique characteristics of reactive adhesives and the advanced technology required to handle and dispense them make it difficult for manufacturers to exploit the full potential of reactive hot melt adhesives.
Which is the largest region in the reactive hot melt adhesives market?
Asia Pacific is the largest region in reactive hot melt adhesives market. .
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This research study involves the use of extensive secondary sources, directories, and databases, such as Hoovers, Bloomberg L.P., Factiva, ICIS, and OneSource, to identify and collect information useful for this technical, market-oriented, and commercial study of the global reactive hot melt adhesives market. Primary sources are mainly industry experts from core and related industries, preferred suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, service providers, and organizations related to all segments of the value chain of this industry. In-depth interviews were conducted with various primary respondents, including key industry participants, subject matter experts (SMEs), C-level executives of key market players, and industry consultants, among other experts, to obtain and verify critical qualitative and quantitative information as well as assess growth prospects of the market.
Secondary Research
In the secondary research process, various secondary sources were referred to for identifying and collecting information for this study. These secondary sources include annual reports, press releases & investor presentations of companies, white papers, regulatory bodies, trade directories, certified publications, articles from recognized authors, gold and silver standard websites, and databases.
Secondary research has been used to obtain key information about the value chain of the industry, the total pool of key players, market classification & segmentation according to industry trends to the bottom-most level, and regional markets. It has also been used to obtain information about key developments from a market-oriented perspective.
Primary Research
In the primary research process, various sources from both, the supply and demand sides were interviewed to obtain and verify qualitative and quantitative information for this report as well as analyze prospects. Primary sources from the supply side include industry experts such as CEOs, vice presidents, marketing directors, technology and innovation directors, and related executives from various leading companies and organizations operating in the reactive hot melt adhesives market. Primary sources from the demand side include experts and key persons from the application segment. Extensive primary research has been conducted after understanding and analyzing the current scenario of the reactive hot melt adhesivess market through secondary research. Several primary interviews were conducted with market experts from both, the demand and supply sides across five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.
Following is the breakdown of primary respondents:
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Market Size Estimation
The top-down and bottom-up approaches have been used to estimate and validate the size of the reactive hot melt adhesives market on the basis of different end-use industries and types in each of the regions. The key players in the market have been identified through secondary research, and their market shares in the respective regions have been determined through primary and secondary research. All percentage shares, splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. All possible parameters that can affect the market have been accounted for in this research study, viewed in extensive detail, verified through primary research, and analyzed to get the final quantitative and qualitative data.
Global Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Market Size: Bottom Up Approach
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Global Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Market Size: Top-down Approach
Data Triangulation
After arriving at the overall market size, the total market has been split into several segments. To complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for all segments, the data triangulation and market breakdown procedures have been employed, wherever applicable. The data have been triangulated by studying various factors and trends from the demand and supply sides. Along with this, the market has been validated using both top-down and bottom-up approaches. Then, it has been verified through primary interviews. Hence, for every data segment, there are three sources, one from the top-down approach, second from the bottom-up approach, and third from expert interviews. Only when the values arrived at from the three points match, the data have been assumed correct.
Market Definition.
According to Adhesive and Sealant Council, reactive hot-melt adhesives are solid prepolymers terminated in reactive groups manufactured from mixtures of solid and liquid polyester/ether polyols with isocyanates, which are very low in free isocyanates. These solid prepolymers have a lower melting point than conventional hot-melt adhesives but show final strength and mechanical performance similar to a reactive system. Each of the raw materials can be appropriately adjusted to obtain required pot life, open time, and green strength.
Key Stakeholders
- Reactive hot melt adhesive manufacturers
- Raw material suppliers
- Manufacturing technology providers
- Industry associations
- Stakeholders in the reactive hot melt industry
- Traders, distributors, and suppliers of reactive hot melt adhesives
- NGOs, government bodies, regional agencies, and research organizations
Report Objectives
- To define, describe, and forecast the size of reactive hot melt adhesives market in terms of both value and volume
- To provide detailed information about the key factors (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) influencing the growth of the market
- To forecast the market size by resin type, type, substrate, and application
- To forecast the market size with respect to five main regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America
- To strategically analyze micromarkets1 with respect to individual growth trends, prospects, and their contribution to the overall market
- To analyze opportunities in the market for stakeholders and provide a competitive landscape for market leaders
- To analyze competitive developments in the market, such as new product development, acquisition, agreement, collaboration, partnership, expansion, and innovation
- To strategically profile the key players and comprehensively analyze their market shares and core competencies2
Note: 1. Micromarkets are defined as the subsegments of the global reactive hot melt adhesives market included in the report.
2. Core competencies of companies are determined in terms of the key developments and strategies adopted by them to sustain in the market.
Available Customizations
MarketsandMarkets offers customizations according to the specific needs of the companies with the given market data.
The following customization options are available for the report:
Product Analysis
- Product matrix, which gives a detailed comparison of the product portfolio of each company
Regional Analysis
- Further breakdown of the reactive hot melt adhesives market, by country
Company Information
- Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five)
Growth opportunities and latent adjacency in Reactive Hot Melt Adhesives Market