The end-use industries that consume hot-melt adhesives are undergoing several transformations that will influence their use. They are increasingly seeking de-bondable HMA solutions to avoid material waste, save manufacturing costs, and contribute to a reduced environmental footprint. End-use industries such as packaging are also focusing on the use of bio-based raw materials to minimize the environmental impact of packaging products. Achieving success with these sustainability and circular economy objectives depends on the development and use of innovative HMAs that facilitate de-bonding, recovery, recycling, and safe disposal of the bonded products.
Frost & Sullivan’s ongoing research on the hot-melt adhesives market finds the market is influenced by the rising need for:
- Chemistries for health, safety, and environment (HSE) improvement and circular economy.
- Chemistries with superior heat resistance.
- Formulations that enable the reduction of overall volumes consumed.
The demand for a reduced carbon footprint and product circularity comes from end-use industries and regulatory authorities. It is noteworthy that the recyclability of bonded products contributes to considerable cost savings for end-use industries. For instance, in 2022, Conagen, a Massachusetts-based biotechnology innovator and biomanufacturer, successfully developed a highly sought-after de-bondable hot-melt adhesive using high-performance materials from sustainable and natural biomolecules that will enable end-use industries to reduce waste and manufacturing costs.
Completely compostable bonded products are also needed in end-use industries. This calls for the development of innovative, compostable hot-melt adhesives, such as Kiilto Biomelt, a packaging hot-melt adhesive developed by Kiilto in 2019.
Chemistry and application equipment innovations will be critical for hot-melt adhesive applications in the future.
Frost & Sullivan is currently analyzing these and other trends in a study on the global hot-melt adhesives market that will be published later this year. For more information about the report, please contact Ganesh Dabholkar at ganesh.dabholkar@frost.com.
