The PSA market is projected to reach USD 16.9 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2022 to 2027*. In the dynamic realm of adhesion technology, solvent-based pressure sensitive adhesives stand as stalwarts, exhibiting unparalleled versatility and reliability.
Despite the emergence of water-based and hot melt alternatives, those high-performing solvent-based PSA continue to hold their ground, offering a unique set of advantages especially relevant to tapes, labels, and graphics applications.
The below trends will be relevant to the future of solvent-based PSA technology.
Innovations in Solvent-Based PSA Chemistry To Address Sustainability Concerns
Research and development efforts are dedicated to enhancing their performance while addressing environmental concerns. Innovations focus on reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, while ensuring compliance with stringent environmental regulations without compromising adhesive properties.
Customised Solutions for Diverse Applications
One of the greatest strengths of solvent-based PSA is their adaptability to diverse substrates and environments. From industrial tapes through outdoor graphics to medical device manufacturing, these adhesives offer tailored solutions catering to the specific needs of each industry. As technology advances, expect to see further customisation options, enabling manufacturers to optimise adhesion for even the most challenging applications.
Enhanced Durability and Performance
The future is promising for solvent-based PSA with enhanced durability and performance characteristics. These adhesives have superior resistance to extreme temperatures, moisture, and chemicals through advanced formulations and additives. This product advantages will continue to broaden the scope of applications where reliability is paramount, such as from outdoor signage to aerospace components. Durable labels, automotive tapes, vehicle and exhibition graphics, and many other demanding applications where consistency is a fundamental will continue to select solvent-based adhesives as the most reliable solution.
Sustainability and Environmental Responsibility
In an era defined by sustainability, the future of solvent-based PSA hinges on their ability to minimise environmental impact. We are seeing manufacturers investing in eco-friendly solvents and processes to ensure better responsible production and disposal practices. Additionally, existing infrastructure for solvent-based coating aligns with the environmentally friendly philosophy of reusing current resources —using what has already been built eliminates waste. UV and LED-activated products are another notable solution that helps manufacturers lower their VOC emissions.
H.B. Fuller’s Solvent-Based Portfolio: High-quality bonds for demanding applications
Swiftcol 5237 | High Performance Tapes High Performance Tapes
Designed for high-performance tape manufacturers who require long-lasting bonds to all types of surfaces and to withstand demanding environments like high temperatures and media exposure, this adhesive provides high shear, excellent aging properties, and superior heat resistance. It ensures powerful bonding to a wide combination of smooth and rough surfaces and coping with challenging environmental factors, including high temperatures, humidity, UV light, and contact with aggressive materials.
Swiftcol A9596 | Foam Tapes Foam Tapes
This adhesive is tailored for foam tape manufacturers who require long-lasting adhesion to scan foam. It provides very high peel adhesion, high solids content, and medium viscosity. This allows foam tape manufacturers to provide safe and reliable products with performance on difficult-to-bond substrates and optimise their production process by decreasing drying time and increasing the speed of coating operations.
Swiftcol 9787 | Permanent PVC Films Permanent PVC Films
A tackified solvent-borne acrylic self-curing pressure-sensitive adhesive specially developed for producers of demanding graphics that require adhesion to a wide spectrum of substrates without compromising cohesion performance. It provides well-balanced performance in terms of cohesion and tack, good aging properties, heat and chemical resistance, abrasion and shrinkage resistance, and stability against plasticizers. This allows high-end graphic producers to achieve excellent adhesion to various substrates, including low-energy surfaces.
As industries evolve and demand higher performance standards, these adhesives will stay relevant, offering solutions that meet rigorous critical to quality CTQ standards. With a constant commitment to sustainability, customisation, and technological integration, solvent-based PSAs will continue to shape the adhesive, anchoring themselves as indispensable components of modern manufacturing.
*Source: Markets&Markets Report: Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Market – Global Forecast to 2027
Future of Solvent-Based Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
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Increasing use of industrial tapes, high-end graphics, and specialty labels is driving significant growth in pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA), according to a post on The Glue Blog.
