Top formulation trends in adhesives and sealants for 2025-26

According to our customers, these are the megatrends that will have the highest impact in 2025-26 based on different regions¹

Q. Which key product groups will be essential in formulating for the upcoming trends?

A. To develop greener and more circular formulations, bio-based materials like sugarcane, cellulose, starches, and bio-based resins, as well as recycled materials often found as polymers or fillers, will play an important role. Manufacturers are exploring plant-based polymers, soy, and other bio-derived materials to reduce reliance on limited resources and reduce the carbon footprint of adhesives. Renewable additives, such as some rheology modifiers, waxes, and defoamers, can be used to manufacture more sustainable adhesives. Products that utilise the mass balance approach will also be essential in reducing the use of fossil-based materials.

Q. What opportunities and challenges do you anticipate?

A. Sustainability is always pushing technology to something new. New products and formulations give us an opportunity to innovate, as they not only need to fulfil sustainability goals but also new performance requirements. In the adhesives and sealants business, the main formulation challenge is finding sustainable materials and additives that allow us to formulate new products that maintain performance, meet application needs, and stay within budget.

Q. What specific hurdles might arise in developing sustainable formulations?

A. Raw material producers and manufacturers are investing time and resources into developing sustainable products. However, a key hurdle is that the market isn’t ready to absorb their higher costs. These solutions are usually adopted only when required by law or driven by demand from brand owners. For this reason, we always consider formulation costs to ensure the solution is viable in the market.