According to a newly published study by the consulting firm Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney, the global consumption of sealants was 3.6 billion pounds in 2011 worth $8.45 billion. Growth is placed at a five percent annual rate through 2016 with the Asia-Pacific region advancing eight percent per year and North America and Europe each growing at a two percent annual rate.

Europe led in dollars in 2011 with its consumption of $3.42 billion representing 40 percent of the global total. European Union (EU) member countries took 88 percent of the region’s volume while non-union members such as Russia and Turkey consumed the rest. EU consumption is forecast to grow two percent annually while non-EU countries are projected to advance at a five percent annual rate.  

The Asia-Pacific region is second in value with a 31 percent share but is the leader in pounds with 40 percent of the total. China is by far the largest user of sealants in the region with nearly 60 percent of the volume and one-half of the dollars. China and India are the high growth countries in Asia-Pacific.

North America took 24 percent of the 2011 sealant dollars while South America was an outlet for three percent of the total. North America is a mature region for sealant growth while South America is projected to grow at a five percent annual rate.

Construction is the largest end use for sealants representing 63 percent of the volume and dollars in 2011. The other large end use is automotive which was an outlet for 23 to 24 percent of the pounds and dollars and includes vehicle manufacturers and the aftermarket. Insulating glass, fire stop, aerospace, and industrial are smaller end uses which are treated separately in the study.

Silicones are the largest sealant type in volume with 30 percent of the pounds and are second in value with a 32 percent share. Polyurethanes, including one-component air infiltration foams, were the leader in dollars with 35 percent of the total and captured 28 percent of the pounds. Other larger sealant types include emulsions, silyl modified polymers, butyl, and plastisol.

The above information is contained in Kusumgar, Nerlfi & Growney’s just released study, “The Global Sealants Industry.” Further information can be obtained at www.kusumgar-nerlfi-growney.com.