The market for hot-melt adhesives in United Kingdom is expected to grow at a CAGR less than 5% during the forecast period. Increasing usage as substitute for solvent-borne adhesives is driving the demand of the market studied. However, slowdown of the automotive industry is expected to restrain the market studied during the forecast period.

  • Adoption of bio-based hot-melt adhesivesis likely to provide a major growth opportunity for the market studied during the forecast period.
  • Paper, Board, and Packaging is accounting for the major share of the market among the end-user industries currently and is expected to continue its dominance during the forecast period.



Key Market Trends

Packaging sector to Dominate the market

  • An extremely high proportion of industrial products are sold in packaging, either due to requirements demanded for storage and transport or for aesthetic reasons. Hot-melt adhesives are mainstream adhesives in the paper, board, and packaging industry. It is most widely used for carton closing, sealing, etc.
  • The paper, board, and packaging industry represents one the largest end-user industry accounting for over 11% of the UK hot-melt adhesives market in-terms of volume. Some of the major applications of hot-melt adhesives include bags, cigarettes and filters, cartons’ side seams and closures, composite containers and tubes, disposables, envelopes, flexible packaging, remoisten able products, labels/signs/decals, specialty packaging, corrugated boards, etc.
  • Moreover, design improvements and innovation, combined with shifting focus toward the usage of recyclable materials for packaging, are expected to offer numerous opportunities for the growth of the market. Thus, opening a possibility of launching new products into the market. The United Kingdom packaging manufacturing industry has annual sales of GBP 11 billion. According to the government’s own figures, more than two million tons of plastic packaging (the leading product segment) are used in the country annually.
  • The food packaging industry is improving, while coinciding with environmental protection measures, and high-speed and fully-automated equipment. The PUR hot-melt sealing process is expected to gradually replace conventional bundled packaging and tape packaging, owing to its excellent binding force, good quality, and beautiful appearance.
  • According to a recent study, British consumers spend almost GBP 1,500 in a year on beverages. Thus, the popularity of premium spirits has been attracting the spirit companies to introduce new premium flavored drinks since the last couple of years.
  • Additionally, the increasing popularity of premium mixers as customers look for sophisticated options is also driving the demand for hot-melt adhesives for the packaging of alcoholic beverages.



Souring Demand from Styrenic-butadiene Copolymers

  • Styrenic-butadiene copolymers (SBCs) are synthetic elastomers that are made by polymerizing styrene and butadiene or styrene and isoprene. These copolymers are also known as styrene copolymer adhesives.
  • Among all the types of SBCs and tri-block copolymers, which are based on SBS and SIS, they find importance in adhesive applications. The discontinuous polystyrene phase is responsible for the polymer cohesion, tensile strength, and thermal stability of SBC.
  • At the same time, the continuous polybutadiene or polyisoprene phase leads to better impact strength, elastomeric properties, tack, and adhesive power. The versatility of these copolymers allows additives to be blended when special balance of performance is required.
  • These hot-melts are also used in automotive and electronics assembly operations over laminating films, vehicle graphics, traffic/safety graphics, interior panels, and low surface energy applications.



Competitive Landscape

The UK hot-melt adhesives market is fragmented, with the top four players accounting for almost 42% of the total market.

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