Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market

Market Definition

The pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA) include adhesives that bond surfaces through light pressure without requiring heat, water, or solvents. PSAs are widely used in tapes, labels, medical devices, automotive parts, packaging, and electronics due to their ease of application, removability, and strong adhesion to diverse substrates. 

Their formulation processes include water-based, solvent-based, hot-melt, and UV-curable technologies, allowing customization for specific industrial needs. The report provides a comprehensive analysis of key drivers, emerging trends, and the competitive landscape expected to influence the market over the forecast period.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market Overview

The global pressure sensitive adhesives market size was valued at USD 12.65 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 13.25 billion in 2025 to USD 19.08 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.34% during the forecast period. 

The market growth is attributed to the increasing demand from the electronics industry, where these adhesives are used for bonding, insulation, and protection in compact devices. Additionally, innovations in adhesive formulations are enhancing performance characteristics such as heat resistance and flexibility, making them suitable for a wider range of industrial applications.

Major companies operating in the pressure sensitive adhesives industry are 3M, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Avery Dennison Corporation, Arkema, H.B. Fuller Company, Sika AG, Eastman Chemical Company, LG Chem, Momentive Performance Materials, Dow, Ashland, Franklin International Inc., Jowat SE, Mapei S.p.A, and Wacker Chemie AG.

The growth of the market is influenced by the expanding packaging sector, particularly flexible packaging. 

PSAs provide secure sealing and easy application, addressing the increasing need for convenience and product protection in food, beverage, and consumer goods packaging. Their ability to maintain freshness and ensure tamper-evident seals makes them indispensable fueling market expansion globally.

• In July 2024, Trinseo introduced LIGOS A 9200, an acrylic waterborne adhesive specifically formulated for dry lamination of flexible packaging that contacts food. This adhesive combines high performance with efficiency, featuring a solid content of 62%, which enables faster lamination speeds and more efficient drying, resulting in significant production benefits.

Key Highlights

1. The pressure sensitive adhesives market size was valued at USD 12.65 billion in 2024.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.34% from 2025 to 2032.
3. Asia Pacific held a market share of 35.45% in 2024, with a valuation of USD 4.48 billion.
4. The acrylic PSA segment garnered USD 5.35 billion in revenue in 2024.
5. The water-based segment is expected to reach USD 8.58 billion by 2032.
6. The labels segment secured the largest revenue share of 42.12% in 2024.
7. North America is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 5.58% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Increasing Demand from the Electronics Industry

Miniaturization and complexity in electronic devices require advanced adhesives with precision bonding and high durability. 

Pressure sensitive adhesives fulfill these needs in assembling components, displays, and flexible circuits. Their adaptability to various substrates and resistance to environmental factors fuels the adoption of the pressure sensitive adhesives in electronics industry, therby driving market growth.

• In November 2024, Bostik launched Born2Bond Ultra K85, the first instant engineering adhesive made from 60% bio-based raw materials. This innovative product offers enhanced protection for items exposed to varying environmental conditions, including consumer electronics, outdoor lighting, electric toothbrushes, medical devices, and automotive components.

Market Challenge

Raw Material Price Volatility

A key challenge in the pressure sensitive adhesives market is managing the impact of fluctuating raw material prices. The costs of petrochemical feedstocks which are critical to adhesive formulations, are experiencing frequent changes due to global supply-demand dynamics and geopolitical influences. 

These cost variations are affecting manufacturing margins and making it difficult to maintain consistent pricing strategies.

To address this challenge, market players are diversifying their supplier base and incorporating cost-effective raw material alternatives into their formulations. Additionally, companies are optimizing production processes and strengthening supply chain forecasting to enhance cost control and reduce exposure to market volatility.

Market Trend

Innovations in Adhesive Formulations

Continuous innovation in adhesive technology enhances the performance of pressure sensitive adhesives. New formulations offer improved bonding strength, faster curing times, and better durability under diverse conditions. 

These advancements enable pressure sensitive adhesives to meet the specific demands of various industries, such as electronics and automotive, thereby broadening their application scope and accelerating market expansion.

• In September 2024, Nagoya University, in collaboration with Aisin Chemical Company, unveiled a new structural adhesive featuring a hydrogen-bonded styrenic thermoplastic elastomer. This innovation significantly enhances impact strength and flexibility, enabling lighter, more carbon-efficient vehicles. This advancement exemplifies continuous innovation in adhesive formulations, delivering improved bonding strength and durability crucial for broadening application scope, particularly in the automotive industry.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Chemistry	Acrylic PSA, Rubber PSA, Silicone PSA, Others
By Technology	Water-based, Solvent-based, Hot Melt, Radiation
By Application	Tapes, Labels, Graphics, Others
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, U.A.E., Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Chemistry (Acrylic PSA, Rubber PSA, Silicone PSA, and Others): The acrylic PSA segment earned USD 5.35 billion in 2024 due to its excellent balance of adhesion, UV resistance, and long-term durability across diverse applications.
• By Technology (Water-based, Solvent-based, Hot Melt, and Radiation): The water-based segment held 41.21% of the market in 2024, attributed to its environmentally friendly composition, low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, and increasing regulatory preference for sustainable and safe adhesive solutions across industries.
• By Application (Tapes, Labels, Graphics, and Others): The labels segment is projected to reach USD 7.93 billion by 2032, owing to the rising demand for packaged consumer goods, pharmaceuticals, and logistics services.

Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America.

The Asia Pacific pressure sensitive adhesives market share stood at 35.45% in 2024 in the global market, with a valuation of USD 4.48 billion. This dominance is attributed to the widespread adoption of e-commerce across Asia Pacific that created a substantial surge in demand for efficient packaging solutions.

• A 2024 report by the International Trade Administration projected that the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region will account for 80% of the global B2B e-commerce market share by 2026, a notable increase from 78.9% in 2023.

Online retail relies heavily on secure, cost-effective, and easy-to-apply sealing and labeling. PSAs are ideal for these needs, offering quick application and tamper-evident seals for packages.

The rapid expansion of online shopping is increasing the consumption of PSA tapes and labels for shipping, bundling, and branding of goods, thereby driving market growth in this region.

The pressure sensitive adhesives industry in North America is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of 6.02% over the forecast period. This is due to the region's sophisticated and expanding healthcare industry, that demands high-quality, biocompatible, and reliable PSAs.

These adhesives are critical components in medical applications such as wound dressings, medical tapes, and disposable medical devices. Moreover, the region leads in research and development and boosts continuous innovation in adhesive technology.

There's a strong emphasis on developing next-generation PSA formulations that offer enhanced bonding strength, faster curing, superior durability, and resistance to extreme conditions.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., pressure sensitive adhesives used in food-contact applications are regulated under Title 21 CFR §175.125 by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which specifies the permissible chemical components and migration limits. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) governs PSA formulations under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), particularly targeting substances classified as Persistent, Bioaccumulative, and Toxic (PBT), such as phenol, isopropylated phosphate (3:1), requiring reporting and compliance obligations.
• In the European Union, pressure sensitive adhesives are regulated under Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH), which mandates registration, risk assessment, and restriction of hazardous substances. The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (EC No 1272/2008), aligned with the Globally Harmonized System (GHS), governs the proper labeling and classification of adhesives. Compliance with Unique Formula Identifier (UFI) codes is also mandatory for mixtures placed on the market.
• In Japan, the Japan Adhesive Industry Association (JAIA) has voluntary certification programs requiring pressure sensitive adhesives for indoor use to be formaldehyde-free. Additionally, under the amended Air Pollution Control Law, adhesive manufacturers must reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as toluene and xylene. While there are no binding national VOC limits, industry-led targets aim to minimize emissions.

Competitive Landscape

Major players in the pressure sensitive adhesives market are adopting strategies such as acquisitions, product portfolio expansion, and investment in research and development to strengthen their position in the market. 

Companies are also focusing on enhancing their capabilities in high-performance adhesive technologies through partnerships and facility upgrades.

• In May 2024, H.B. Fuller acquired ND Industries, a leading provider of specialty adhesives. The acquisition strengthened H.B. Fuller’s presence in high-performance engineering adhesives, particularly in automotive and electronics, and included the Vibra-Tite brand along with five U.S. production and R&D facilities.

List of Key Companies in Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market:

• 3M 
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Avery Dennison Corporation
• Arkema
• B. Fuller Company
• Sika AG
• Eastman Chemical Company
• LG Chem
• Momentive Performance Materials
• Dow
• Ashland
• Franklin International Inc.
• Jowat SE
• Mapei S.p.A
• Wacker Chemie AG

Recent Developments (Product Launches)

• In June 2024, Avery Dennison introduced a new line of pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) tapes specifically engineered for electric vehicle (EV) battery cell wrapping applications. These innovative tapes are designed to deliver electrical insulation, corrosion resistance, enhanced aesthetics, and high durability.
• In October 2024, 3M launched 3M Fastbond Pressure Sensitive Adhesive 1049, to help companies reduce their environmental impact. This water-based, sprayable adhesive comes with a cutting-edge applicator and cylinder delivery system. Its next-generation formula is specifically engineered to assist businesses in meeting their targets for lowering volatile organic compounds (VOCs), solvents, and other restricted substances.