Adhesion Matters - China’s Adhesive Surge: Tech, EVs & the Sticky Future

Episode Date: August 9, 2025

What if the future of electric vehicles, green buildings, even everyday packaging rested on something as deceptively simple as glue? In this episode of Adhesion Matters, we dive into the world of the Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC)—the influential North American trade association quietly driving innovation, education, advocacy, and sustainability across the adhesives industry.What You’ll Discover:The Industry Backbone Founded in 1958, ASC represents over 75% of the U.S. adhesive and sealant value chain. Its multi-stakeholder membership includes manufacturers, material suppliers, equipment makers, and technical consultants—amplifying its industry-wide influence.Mission with Momentum More than an association, ASC accelerates growth through career education, collaborative innovation, shared market intelligence, and a unified voice that strengthens member businesses across dynamic sectors like automotive, packaging, and infrastructure.Strategic Priorities That Stick ASC’s long-range plan centers on three pillars:Advocacy – shaping policy and regulation across chemical safety, VOCs, PFAS, and beyond.End-User Engagement – aligning adhesives with evolving needs in EVs, construction, and packaging.Sustainability – championing greener chemistry, circular systems, and eco-minded innovation.Real-World Influence From awarding breakthrough technologies like fast-bonding, low-VOC adhesives, to enabling “debond-on-demand” for future recyclability, ASC actively drives the industry toward a smarter, cleaner future.Building the Industry's Workforce The ASC Training Academy is equipping professionals with deep adhesive knowledge—empowering over 800 graduates to lead within the sector through technical certifications and hands-on learning.Data, Community & Resilience ASC delivers essential market intelligence with annual reports, insight-packed events, peer networks, and scholarship programs that cultivate knowledge-sharing and prepare the industry for geopolitical or supply-chain shocks.Why It Matters:ACS isn’t just about glue—it’s the architect behind the materials quietly enabling modern life. From EVs and sustainable architecture to next-gen packaging, adhesives powered by ASC’s leadership are shaping the invisible infrastructure of our future.

What if we told you that the future of electric vehicles, green buildings, even the everyday packaging you rely on? What if it hinges on something as seemingly mundane as glue? Today, we're taking a deep dive into the hidden powerhouses of industry. It heases and sealants. You might think of them as merely, you know, glues and sealants, simple sticky stuff maybe. But these materials are really the quiet champions of industrial and manufacturing applications. They play a critical role in products you encounter daily. from your car to your smartphone.

Yeah, it's really remarkable, isn't it? Despite their foundational importance, I mean, their full value proposition often just goes unrecognized. So today we'll uncover not just what these materials do, but also the pivotal organization leading the charge in this vital multi-billion dollar industry and, crucially, how they're shaping its future.

Right, we're gonna explore the adhesive and sealant council, or ASC. It's the preeminent North American Trade Association dedicated to this industry. We'll trace its origins, understand its mission and really see how it actively drives innovation, workforce development, and

sustainability all across the sector that, well, quietly make so much possible. And we'll also be drawing some insights from a comprehensive review of ASC's own connected to ASC podcast series. So that gives you kind of an insider's view into the key challenges and the opportunities this industry has been grappling with

over the past few years, get ready to see the world as, well, far more connected and definitely more strategically bonded than you probably ever imagined. Okay. Let's start with just the sheer scale of this industry. In North America alone, the adhesive and sealant sector is valued at an estimated $22 billion. And it employs over 28,000 people that's significant. And globally, the market is projected to grow pretty significantly from about $76.1 billion in 2024 to an impressive $86.6 billion by 20209.

Wow. So why do these numbers matter so much? I mean, beyond just being big numbers, because these aren't just figures on a spreadsheet, right? They represent materials integral to countless products. They enhance quality. They enable the very creation of things. So the real question is, where exactly do you see their impact most profoundly in your daily life? Well, think about it. In automotive and transportation, structural adhesives are actively replacing traditional fasteners, like bolts and rivets.

Now, this isn't just a minor switch. It's crucial for light weighting, which directly translates to better fuel. fuel efficiency and extended range for electric vehicles, that's huge. They're also essential for battery assembly, ensuring thermal management and structural integrity in those really critical components. Right, the batteries are key. Absolutely. Then in construction and infrastructure, they're indispensable for green building initiatives,

playing a critical role in things like waterproofing and thermal insulation. That leads directly to improved energy management in buildings. Saving energy. Exactly. And in packaging and consumer goods, they enable greener products. I think water-based adhesives with low VOCs, you know, volatile organic compounds of chemicals that can off gas. So this is a huge win for both air quality and product safety, right, while still creating attractive, functional packaging. Definitely a win-win there.

And even in electronics and electrical, the drive towards miniaturization demands adhesives with superior precision. And formal management, too. They're using semiconductors, LEDs, wearable devices, where every millimeter and, frankly, every degree matters. Yeah, tiny components, big challenges. Totally. And finally, automation and robotics. Advancements and adhesive application technologies offer, well, unprecedented precision and efficiency in manufacturing.

And that significantly reduces waste. It's quite remarkable, isn't it, how these foundational materials, these sort of unsung workhorses, are quietly enabling major societal shifts. Everything from sustainable manufacturing practices to the most advanced technology we interact with every single day. Okay. So we've seen the sheer scale of this industry and why it matters so much. But what's the driving force behind it all? Who's unifying this sprawling critical sector? That would be the adhesive and ceiling council or ASC. Right. So picture the chemical industry back in 1958. It was a period of explosive growth, right? The rise of all these new synthetic materials. But with that growth came new challenges. How do you standardize these complex new adhesives? How do you navigate emerging regulations? ensure a skilled workforce. It was getting complicated, and that's where ASC stepped in.

It became the guiding architect, you could say, for this nascent but clearly critical industry. It was really a strategic response to the growing intricacy and the strategic importance of these materials. And today, ASC is the primary representative body for the North American adhesive and sealant value chain. Full stop. Its membership is incredibly diverse. We're talking 110 manufacturers, raw material, equipment suppliers, distributors, industry consultants, the whole ecosystem. It's an impressive reach. It accounts for more than 75% of the U.S. industry. Yeah, and that high percentage of representation, that's actually quite uncommon for a trade association. It gives ASC considerable legitimacy and, frankly, authority.

When the council speaks, the industry genuinely listens. Now, while this broad tent provides immense influence, it also raises an interesting dynamic, doesn't it? How does ASC ensure the voices of, say, smaller members are either? Equally heard alongside industry giants, you know, like 3M, Dow, DuPont, Henkel, P.G. It's really a testament to their leadership, I think, that they maintain such cohesion. Good point. So let's take into ASC's fundamental purpose. Their mission isn't just about glue, right? It's about accelerating the adoption of adhesives and sealants specifically to strengthen their member businesses. That's the goal. And to achieve this, they deliver comprehensive career education.

They foster robust innovation collaboration. They facilitate extensive community knowledge. sharing and they articulate that unified industry voice we talked about. And their vision statement, it's quite forward-looking. Innovators secure the future with adhesives and sealance. That's not just a catchy phrase, you know. It truly underscores their deep commitment to technological advancement. It positions innovation as absolutely central to the industry's long-term viability and its impact. Okay, so how do they make this vision a reality? ASC focuses on three core strategic priorities. These are are outlined in its long-range plan for 2024. First, advocacy, giving voice and representation

to the industry in those crucial policy and regulatory discussions. Second, end-user engagement, actively engaging stakeholders in key sectors like automotive construction packaging, getting out there. And third, sustainability, providing insights, fostering partnerships, and initiating efforts to advance environmental responsibility right across the board. You know, that end-user engagement piece is really interesting. It's a critical aspect, often overlooked in trade associations. Many tend to focus solely on their producers, right? But ASC demonstrates a strategic shift. It's a truly market-driven approach. They clearly understand that long-term growth hinges on how these products are perceived and integrated into their customers' value chains,

not just how they're made. That's a key difference. Right. So how does ASE actually do all this? How do they put it into action? It's a truly multifaceted effort. It spans several crucial areas. Well, first, as you mentioned, building that unified industry voice and engaging in robust advocacy, they directly engage with federal, state, local regulatory agencies, they meet with elected officials, they submit formal comments on legislative and regulatory issues, their regulatory affairs committee proactively responds to developments, and importantly, always strictly adhering to trade and antitrust laws, you know, to ensure fair market practices. This isn't just reacting. It's proactively shaping the environment for their members. Okay. Second, ASC,

excels at cultivating collaboration and knowledge exchange. That seems vital. The streamlined knowledge sharing through specialized committees. Things like the global resources, technical and sustainability committees, that's where members provide vital input. And their major events, like the annual convention and XBO and the executive leadership conference, those serve as crucial platforms for networking, exchanging best practices. It ensures the industry isn't constantly reinventing the wheel, but building on shared advancements. Exactly. Third, they are actively driving adoption and strengthening member businesses. They proactively promote the value of adhesives and sealants, really educating end users on maybe underutilized solutions.

Their relaunched website, adhesives.org, sealance.org. It's a comprehensive hub. It has interactive tools like a buyer's marketplace, product selection guides, things like that. This helps overcome knowledge barriers, encourages engineers and designers to increasingly specify these solutions, basically opening up new market opportunities. And one of the most dynamic ways ASC supports the industry is by actively pushing the boundaries of innovation and technological progress. This is really interesting. They promote groundbreaking developments through their annual Innovation Award. For instance, the 2025 award went to 3M for their 3M fast bond pressure sensitive adhesive 1049.

It's a water-based adhesive that apparently matches or even exceeds solvent-based alternatives while significantly cutting VOC emissions. Big deal. They also highlight other advancements like Wackers' Fast Curing, Tin Free Polymer, and H.B. Fuller's hot melt adhesives for auto assembly. Yeah, and that award program, it isn't just about, you know, getting a trophy. It's a powerful signal. It actively shapes the industry's research priorities. Pushing towards breakthroughs like, say, sustainable EV battery assembly, it ensures that innovation isn't just a buzzword, but a tangible, profitable direction for their members.

And beyond awards, ASC actively promotes research in areas like bio-based solutions. And also debonding on-demand adhesives now, imagine a glue that holds strong but can be easily unglued when a product needs recycling or repair. That's vital for pushing forward these circular economy initiatives, where materials are continually reused and recycled, not just thrown away. That's fascinating. Deep bonding on demand. Okay, fifth, ASC is deeply committed to empowering the workforce and professional development. Their ASC Training Academy offers tailored technical, business, regulatory education, virtual and on-site sessions. They've had 800 graduates from their certificate program just since 2016, with 85 new grads in 2024 alone. And that commitment, it's really evident in the Training Academy, which delivered over a million dollars worth of content in 2024.

That's truly investing in the human capital of this complex sector. Absolutely. And this directly dresses a critical skills gap, doesn't it? It ensures professionals can acquire and update the expertise they need to navigate the industry's increasing complexities, securing its future talent pipeline, really. Sixth, they play a vital role in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and advocating for policy changes. This sounds like a minefield. Their regulatory affairs committee specifically evaluates in response to issues like VOCs, the big one,

TSC, toxic substances control act, also PFAS, per and polyphloral gansil substances, the so-called forever chemicals, and formaldehyde. Hmm, navigating such a complex regulatory landscape. Yeah, it sounds like a constant tightrope walk. From your perspective, reading the sources, what's the biggest challenge ASC faces there? Helping members comply while still fostering innovation, especially with something like PFAS, which has seen so much recent scrutiny. Yeah, it's a fascinating dance, isn't it? The sources show that ASC really helps members anticipate changes and prioritize eco-friendly product development.

So ensuring compliance while still advocating for feasible solutions that don't just stifle progress, it's a reminder that even, you know, sticky stuff exists within this. vast web of policy. Right. Seventh, ASC is championing sustainability and environmental stewardship. Their sustainability initiative, established back in 2021, defined sustainability for the industry pretty clearly. It's about using materials and manufacturing processes, developing products, and providing solutions with environmental benefit. And here's a surprising part, or maybe it's not surprising what you think about it. Adhesives and sealants inherently contribute to sustainability. They enable the reduction of tools and parts needed in manufacturing.

That leads to decreased energy and resource consumption. For example, a single bottle of engineering adhesive might replace hundreds of washers. Think about that. They prevent leaks, reducing waste. They're lighter than traditional mechanical fasteners, which leads to loader energy requirements and transportation because of light weighting. We talked about EVs. They also provide critical air sealing in buildings, enhancing energy efficiency.

You know, we think about it. Who knew this secret to a lighter EV or a more energy efficient building wasn't just exotic materials. But something as humble as a high-tech glue, it really makes you rethink how everyday objects are put together. It really does. Okay, and finally, ASC delivers critical market intelligence and resources. This is key for business strategy. They published the North American Market Report. It's a comprehensive analysis. Market size, growth forecasts, key drivers like supply pricing, regulations. They also offer specialized reports, white papers, an industry fact sheet confirming that $22 billion value for North America. Now, this isn't just

data. It's like the crystal ball for members, isn't it? Enabling them to pinpoint exactly where the next multi-million dollar opportunity might lie, or maybe how to preemptively navigate a looming supply chain disruption. Exactly. It's actionable intelligence. And to tie it altogether, ASC excels at facilitating industry networking and community building. From their major conventions and expeos to encouraging participation in committees, they foster strong professional relationships. They're truly building a connected ecosystem. They even support the future through scholarship, programs and recognize industry giants in their Hall of Fame. And speaking of how the industry adapts and shares knowledge, we discovered a real treasure trove

of insights by reviewing ASC's very own podcast series. It was called Connected to ASC Podcast, and it ran for 37 episodes from 2022 to 2025. Now, while we don't have the full transcripts, a detailed review of their episode descriptions and summaries, it reveals incredible insights into how this industry navigated some significant global challenges. Yeah, the true marvel there, I think, is how the podcast, hosted by ASC President Bill Almond himself, how it provided authoritative and actionable understandings directly from industry figures and experts. It really showcased a remarkably proactive approach to a rapidly evolving market, made complex topics pretty digestible.

Yeah, you can really see how the industry's focus evolved over those years just from the episode descriptions. Early episodes likely tackled the immediate aftermath of, you know, global disruptions like the pandemic, the initial supply chain. shocks. But as time went on, the discussions clearly matured, moving from simply identifying problems, to exploring strategic long-term solutions and adapting to what sort of became a new normal of persistent disruption. So what were the most compelling insights? What emerged from those recurring themes you saw? Well, several stood out. Sustainability and green technologies were a consistent commitment. They didn't just talk about it. They explored tangible bio-based products, confronted the real obstacles to adoption, and they featured experts like Chuck Paul from

GluIQ to discuss the future of green tech in a really practical sense. Okay, practical application. Good. Then supply chain resilience and risk mitigation became paramount. They didn't just lament disruptions. They brought in experts like Lisa Anderson, who shared actionable strategies for navigating global shocks. They even explored the surprising feasibility of reshoring production, building more robust

domestic supply lines. Now, that's a tangible insight for any business leader in a volatile world, right? Absolutely. Reshoring is a hot topic. And innovation, R&D, and emerging technologies were consistently highlighted as foundational. The podcast underscored the importance of continuous scientific understanding, fostering innovative thinking throughout organizations, showing how they're actively pushing boundaries in areas like, well, smart adhesives. Smart adhesives.

Interesting. So this whole series provided a sort of longevity. perspective, didn't it? Really showing how the industry refined its approach to a complex and ever-changing global environment, moving from reaction to a proactive strategy. Precisely. So what does this all mean for you, the listener, and the broader future of industry? Our comprehensive analysis of ASC's activities and their own podcast reveals some profound strategic implications for everyone involved in this sector. Yeah, I think we can anticipate several key future trends based on all this. First, the continued dominance of sustainability, no surprise there.

This will remain the paramount market driver influencing everything from product development to consumer preferences, expect new certification standards, more demand for eco-friendly adhesive solutions. Right. Second, persistent geopolitical volatility. Unfortunately, that seems likely. Expect ongoing impacts on global trade, supply chains, raw material availability. That necessitates continuous monitoring and adaptive strategies for businesses. Constant vigilance.

Third, accelerated innovation. The demand for high performance, multifunctional, and sustainable adhesive solutions. That will drive rapid research and development fostering even greater collaboration across industries, I believe. Fourth, workforce development. The increasing complexity of the industry will heighten the need for a highly skilled workforce. That puts a strong emphasis on continuous learning and also on attracting diverse new talent to the field. Definitely need the talent. And finally, digital transformation.

Expect further integration of things like AI, IOT, advanced data analytics and manufacturing, supply chain management, customer engagement, all enhancing efficiency and optimization throughout the value chain. So ultimately, the industry's future success really hinges on its ability to embrace sustainability. Build truly resilient supply chains, foster a culture of continuous innovation, and strategically develop its human capital. It's a complex balancing act. It absolutely is.

So what does this all mean for you? When next time you look at an electric vehicle, walk through a modern building or even just unwrap a package, consider the vital adhesives and sealants at play, those quiet champions holding our modern world together. And think about the adhesive and sealant council. Working behind the scenes, since way back in 1958, bringing together giants of industry and this thriving community of experts, their commitment to innovation, sustainability, education. It really isn't just about glue, is it? It's about securing the future of diverse industries, one strong bond at a time.

It certainly gives you a new perspective, doesn't it, on just how much ingenuity and, frankly, organized effort goes into the hidden components, the things that make our modern world function so seamlessly. Yeah, it makes me wonder what other foundational elements often overlook like this are quietly enabling the innovation shaping our world right now. That's a great question to ponder. We hope this deep die gave you some surprising facts, maybe a shortcut to being well. informed about this foundational yet often overlooked industry.