Adhesives market in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Earlier Report Observations

The US adhesives market volume declined from 2 616 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 400 thousand tons in 2020, before recovering. In 2019, the market saw consolidation as H.B. Fuller Company acquired assets of Wisdom Adhesives, strengthening its position in North America.

Market volume rebounded to 2 687 thousand tons in 2021 and reached 2 776 thousand tons in 2022, while value surged to 18 715 million US dollars. This growth was propelled by rising demand from the packaging sector, driven by e-commerce and consumer preferences, and from the electric vehicle industry, which increased the use of structural adhesives. Manufacturers responded by investing in expanded production capacity for water-based adhesives.

In 2023, innovation accelerated with the launch of advanced medical-grade adhesives by Henkel and 3M, and Bostik introduced smart adhesive solutions for woodworking. The focus on sustainable and low-emission formulations intensified, influenced by regulatory trends and consumer awareness, while supply chain challenges and volatile raw material costs affected production dynamics.

Production adhesives in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Adhesives production in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 2,547 thousand tonnes, down 4.1% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 6.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 2,797 thousand tonnes, which saw a 2.4% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 5.1% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of adhesives production in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, production was valued at $14,072 million, a 7.6% decrease compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value declined by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The peak value was in 2018 at $15,707 million, which experienced a 6.1% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of production in United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports adhesives from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Exports in kind, K t

Adhesives exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 410.3 thousand tonnes, a 5.3% reduction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the top destinations for adhesives exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, were Canada (36.3% of exports by volume), Mexico (22.6%), and China (4.2%). Together, these three countries accounted for 63.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of adhesives exports from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value stood at $2,267 million, showing an 8.7% contraction compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8.6%, equating to an annualized rate of -3.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at $2,554 million, which saw a 3.0% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada (27.8% of exports by value), Mexico (21.9%), and China (7.9%) remained the primary buyers of adhesives from the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Collectively, these three markets formed 57.7% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020

Imports adhesives to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of growth, adhesives imports into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 263.3 thousand tonnes, marking a 5.0% decrease from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 3.2%, with an annualized rate of -1.1%. The peak import volume was in 2019 at 277.3 thousand tonnes, which experienced a 1.5% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout 2017-2020, Canada (24.8% of imports by volume), Mexico (19.8%), and Germany (16.4%) formed the core group of suppliers for adhesives imports into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands. Together, they represented 61.0% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year uptick, adhesives imports into the United States, including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, declined. In 2020, import value was $1,059 million, a 2.4% decrease compared to 2019. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at $1,085 million, which saw a 3.7% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The structure of adhesives imports by value from 2017 to 2020 shows a diversified set of trading partners. Germany (20.5% of imports by value), Canada (19.4%), and China (9.6%) jointly accounted for 49.5% of total flows, while the remaining 50.5% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to United States of America, including Puerto Rico and US Virgin Islands in value, 2017-2020