Hot-melt adhesive (HMA), also referred to as "hot glue," is a type of thermoplastic adhesive typically sold as solid cylindrical pieces of varying diameters for use with a hot glue gun. The plastic adhesive is melted within the gun by a continuously operating heating element. The user operates the pistol by striking directly with a finger or utilizing a mechanical trigger mechanism. Hot-melt adhesives offer several advantages over solvent-based adhesives for industrial use. Neither drying nor curing nor reducing or eliminating volatile organic molecules are performed. Hot-melt adhesives have a substantial shelf life and can typically be discarded carelessly.
The increase in children's and adolescents' do-it-yourself (DIY) activities for home decoration and aesthetics is leading to an increase in the use of paper, fabric, metal, plastic, cardboard, glue, and strong adhesives. Hot-melt adhesives are utilized as sticks for various do-it-yourself applications due to their ease of use. Holt melt adhesives are economical because they can bond materials, reducing installation and maintenance expenses. In addition, the increased use of hot-melt adhesives has resulted from the growing popularity of miniature construction. Model building is becoming an increasingly popular pastime. These miniatures include hot-air balloons and zeppelins, houses and trees, landscapes, automobiles, ships, planes, trains, steam engines, streets, and the extensive use of stick-based hot-melt adhesives in construction drives market expansion.
Polyurethane adhesives are utilized in various applications, including bookbinding, product packaging, and footwear production. In addition, the fact that its low volatile organic compound can be used as a basic material in the production of hot melt adhesives increases its demand. This adhesive is widely utilized for its durability, adaptability, temperature, and chemical resistance. The increasing demand for furniture has propelled the demand for polyurethane adhesives due to Asia-Pacific's construction boom. In addition, China's packaging industry is one of the largest in the world and is experiencing an increase in demand for polyurethane adhesives due to the rise in customized packaging. Thus, the benefits of hot melt adhesives based on polyurethane create opportunities for market expansion.
Asia-Pacific is the most significant global hot melt adhesive market shareholder and is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.09% over the forecast period. The rise of hot melt adhesives in the automotive, construction, and medical end-use industries is anticipated to generate new market expansion opportunities. It is anticipated that automobile sales will increase over time due to India's and China's rapid economic development, resulting in a rise in the middle-class population's per capita income. This creates opportunities for automotive adhesive manufacturers. Asia-Pacific is also anticipated to be the fastest-growing market for hot melt adhesives in building and construction activities in China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam.
Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 5.85% over the forecast period. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are early adopters of automation, packaging, and construction technology, generating a high demand for adhesives. Europe's adhesives market is mature, and Eastern Europe has an enormous addressable market. The region's continued leadership in developing new building technologies, sustainable building standards, and facility management lifecycle cost reductions will necessitate hot melt adhesives. In 2016, packaging accounted for 45 percent of total plastic production. Demand in the flexible food packaging industry was approximately 4.5 million tons. As a result of favorable EU trade mandates, regional vendors are in a stronger position to compete effectively with vendors from other geographies, fueling the expansion of the regional market.
The key players in the global hot melt adhesive market are 3M, AdTech, Sika, Astra Chemtech, Beardow Adams, Arkema, Henkel, Bond Tech Industries, Caswell Adhesives, Dow, Franklin International, Grupo Desa, Meridian Adhesive Group, Power Adhesives, Sun Pack, Surebonder, IFS Industries, Jowat, Infinity Bond, Kleiberit Adhesives, Master Bond, H. B. Fuller, and others.