Ceramic Adhesives Market

Market Overview

The global ceramic adhesives market size was valued at USD 517.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach a value of USD 762.1 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 4.4% during the forecast period (2024-2032). The increase in ceramic adhesives market share during the forecast period is related to the growing demand for energy sources.

Ceramic adhesives are designed to meet the most demanding applications. They are manufactured with ceramic binders, select strengthening putties or fillers, and offer excellent bonding to ceramics, glass, plastics, and metals. Ceramic adhesives are good insulators with superior temperature stability, thermal shock resistance, and mechanical properties. They also exhibit high resistance to oxidizing and changing atmospheres, molten metals, chemicals, and thinners.

Niche applications in the construction, electronics and electrical, healthcare, and railway industries drive the ceramic adhesives market. The market is growing, with dental and construction applications driving the most significant growth. In the coming years, the ceramic adhesives market will trail the development of the building and construction market globally. Stringent regulations in North America and Europe restrict market growth to some extent. However, R&D, fuelled by significant investments, is expected to pave the way for introducing products that better comply with regional norms.

Highlights

• Cement-Based Ceramic Adhesives dominate the type segment.
• The building dominates the application segment.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Applications in Building and Construction

Ceramic adhesives are used for fitting tiles, floorings, wall coatings, and ceilings in the construction sector. Primarily, they are used for ceramic products in stone floor gluing, carpeting, and polyethylene floor pasting applications. Construction is the critical application industry for these adhesives, and growth trends in the sector will reflect in the ceramic adhesives market.

Population growth and increasing spending capacity are accelerating the demand for residential construction projects and large-scale infrastructure projects in developing and developed countries. Further, digitization, automation, sustainability, new business models, and social trends bolster the construction industry, filling the ceramic adhesives market.

Applications in the Dental Industry

Changing eating habits and higher consciousness about looks among the youth today have seen an upsurge in dental procedures. Ceramics have been in use in dental procedures for a long time. Ceramic repairs are appealing because of their aesthetics, but bonding ceramics with teeth is a critical challenge in dental applications.

The success of a ceramic reconstruction lies in the durability and quality of the bond shared by resin cement and the restoration. Zirconia is a type of restoration widely used in dentistry. Primers such as acids and air-borne particles create an adequate bond, which involves ceramic surface changes for mechanical holding. The most famous and widely used treatment for improving adhesion to high crystalline content ceramics includes treatment of the surface with airborne particle attrition and chemical bonding.

Market Restraints

High Cost 

Particularly in applications that are sensitive to price, the industry is significantly hindered by the high cost of ceramic adhesives compared to the available conventional adhesive choices. This is expected to be an additional obstacle to market expansion due to the specialist nature of ceramic adhesives and the necessity of adequate surface preparation and curing procedures.

Market Opportunity

Increased Focus on Urban Development and Infrastructure

The growing emphasis on urban development and infrastructure presents a favorable potential for the ceramic adhesive market. Ceramic adhesives can be effectively utilized in various large-scale infrastructure projects, including bullet trains, high-speed railway tracks, airports, roadways, and nuclear facilities, offering several chances for their application. Government initiatives, such as smart city projects, help stimulate market expansion by providing public financing and assistance for foreign direct investment (FDI). Emerging economies like India and China are projected to have significant expansion in the construction and infrastructure industries, leading to an increased need for ceramic adhesives.

Investment in Research and Development

Investing in research and development offers a substantial opportunity in the ceramic adhesive sector. Continued allocation of resources towards research and development (R&D) is essential for creating durable and inventive ceramic adhesive compositions, investigating novel uses, and improving bonding effectiveness. Engaging in partnerships with end-users, research institutes, and material suppliers can yield significant insights into new market trends and client demands, empowering enterprises to maintain a competitive edge and foster market expansion.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

The global ceramic adhesives market analysis is conducted in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Asia-Pacific is the most significant market shareholder and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4% over the forecast period. Asia-Pacific dominates the global ceramic adhesives market, with domestic and commercial construction driving growth. The region is expected to retain its market position throughout the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is the largest importer of ceramic flooring blocks and tiles with around a 41% holding, which amounts to USD 165 million, followed by Africa and Europe with 28%, South America with 1.3%, North America with 1.1%, and the Middle East with only 0.95%. Developing economies are promising markets for ceramic adhesives. Large-scale infrastructure projects such as bullet trains, high-speed railway tracks, airports, roads, and nuclear plants provide a plethora of opportunities for the use of these adhesives. Government initiatives, such as smart city projects, further foster market growth, with the inflow of public funding and FDI additionally supporting the growth momentum.

Furthermore, the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF) estimates India will emerge as the world’s third-largest construction market by 2022. Sustainable development will necessitate investment worth USD 777.73 billion in the country’s construction and infrastructure industry by 2022. Government initiatives such as housing for all and smart cities bolster the region’s construction sector. Additionally, the allowance of 100% FDI under the automatic route in this sector makes it one of India’s largest FDI receivers.

China’s ceramic adhesives market is expected to grow substantially during the forecast period. Indonesia and Thailand are witnessing an increase in the rate of construction and building because of increased investments, which is expected to drive market growth in the respective countries.

North America is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% over the forecast period. In North America, the ceramic adhesives market is bolstered by a high demand from the construction sector, supported by advanced infrastructure and extensive renovation activities. Key countries like the United States, Canada, and Mexico are at the forefront of this demand. The region witnesses an increasing use of ceramic adhesives in both residential and commercial projects, primarily due to their durability and aesthetic appeal. This trend underscores the region’s focus on enhancing the quality and longevity of construction materials.

Europe’s ceramic adhesives market is characterized by a robust construction industry and significant growth in renovation projects. Countries such as Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain are key players in this market. The region is also influenced by stringent environmental regulations that promote the use of eco-friendly products. Consequently, there is a growing adoption of green building materials and increased investments in research and development, aiming to innovate and improve the sustainability of construction practices.

Segmental Analysis

The global ceramic adhesives market is segmented based on chemistry type and Application.

The market is further segmented by type into Cement-based, Epoxy, Acrylic, Silicone, Cyanoacrylate, and others.

Cement-Based Ceramic Adhesives dominate the global ceramic adhesive market in the type segment. The cement-based segment dominates the market based on chemistry. Cement-based ceramic adhesives offer high bond strength, flexibility, durability, and shear strength. Additionally, they are non-sagging and have high polymer content. Their low cost also plays a crucial role in driving applications. Cement-based ceramic adhesives are used in cement mortar beds, cement plaster screed, kitchen and laundry areas, and swimming pools.

The epoxy segment accounts for the second-largest value share and is expected to grow steadily in the coming years. While high strength and adaptability drive applications for these adhesives, their high cost deter adoption, limiting it to a few special applications such as fiberglass repair, wood metal fillers, and reinforced bolts.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives, or superglues, are set in seconds and used for close-fitting joints. They can be used on slightly alkaline surfaces, and acidic surfaces such as wood obstruct the curing process and, in severe cases, prevent curing completely. Cyanoacrylates are primarily used for plastic parts to provide rubber joining. Most grades of cyanoacrylates are low-viscosity liquids and, therefore, need appropriate joints. New developments in cyanoacrylates, such as gelled variants, help cure wider gaps and are majorly used for vertical surfaces.

The market is further segmented by application into building and construction.

The building dominates the global ceramic adhesives market in the application segment. Ceramic adhesives are essential in many applications within the building and construction industry. These adhesives are necessary for various tasks, including carpet laying, ceramic tile installation, countertop lamination, drywall lamination, flooring underlay, glulam assembly, HVAC connections, timber jointing, manufactured housing, pre-fabricated panels installation, resilient flooring fixing, roofing systems, and wall coverings.

Adhesives utilized in construction can be classified into two primary categories: non-structural adhesives and structural adhesives. Non-structural adhesives are appropriate for joining decorative materials such as floor and wall coverings. On the other hand, structural adhesives offer significant tensile shear strength and are utilized for essential structural purposes, including bonding concrete, masonry, and metal. The construction industry depends on a range of adhesive types, including PVA (polyvinyl acetate), synthetic resin, epoxy resin, acrylic cement, casein, urea formaldehyde, resorcinol formaldehyde, and phenol formaldehyde, to fulfill various bonding requirements. These adhesives are crucial for establishing robust and long-lasting connections in building projects involving multiple materials such as ceramics, wood panels, concrete, glass, plastics, and metals.

Recent Developments

• September 2023- Hindware Limited, a key construction product participant, entered the tile adhesive market. They introduced five separate Stock Keeping Units (SKUs) encompassing a wide variety of tiles, such as ceramic and elevation tiles. The development results from the increasing need for durable and visually appealing adhesives in the building industry.
• March 2023- Bostik expanded its Born2Bond™ line of engineering adhesives, specifically the HMPUR and UV-CIPG ranges, to assist in producing compact and intricate consumer electronics. This breakthrough is intended to meet the increasing need for adhesives that efficiently attach tiny, lightweight electronic components.
• BASF has launched Acronal, a multifunctional ceramic tile adhesive designed to meet the diverse needs of the construction industry. This decision aligns with the increasing movement towards using environmentally friendly and low-VOC (volatile organic compounds) adhesives.