2017 ASI Top 25 List: Leading Worldwide Manufacturers of Adhesives and Sealants

Dow combines the power of science and technology to innovate products that extract value from material, polymer, chemical and biological science to help address many of the world's most challenging problems. Its products and solutions are used in sectors including packaging, infrastructure, transportation, consumer care, electronics, and agriculture.

In 2016, Dow Corning became part of Dow's Consumer Solutions business. The acquisition "is another milestone aligned to Dow's strategic agenda to provide clarity on our joint ventures and demonstrates our ongoing and relentless focus on creating shareholder value," said Andrew N. Liveris, chairman and CEO. "Fully aligned to our portfolio strategy, the addition of a silicones position will expand our product offerings across multiple businesses while driving innovative solutions that will enable us to go deeper into key end markets by leveraging Dow's existing, strong science and engineering competencies across new chemistries."

Source: Press releases, company contact

3M applies science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. While leading a broad range of markets—from health care and highway safety to office products, abrasives and adhesives, 3M’s 90,000 employees connect with customers all around the world.

“The fourth quarter capped a successful year for our enterprise, as we posted double-digit growth in earnings-per-share, expanded margins and delivered robust cash flow,” said Inge G. Thulin, 3M’s chairman, president and CEO. “We also made incremental investments to accelerate growth in core platforms, while returning significant cash to shareholders.”

Thulin continued, “Throughout the year, we executed the 3M playbook and delivered a strong operational performance, and built for the future through our three key levers: Portfolio Management, Investing in Innovation and Business Transformation. We are well-positioned to build on this momentum and deliver another strong performance in 2017.”

In addition, in late 2016, Great Place to Work^® and Fortune announced 3M as one of the 25 World’s Best Multinational Workplaces. This recognition reportedly considers employees’ assessments of their jobs, managers, coworkers, opportunities for training, and support for work/life balance, among other factors. Since 2011, Great Place to Work has identified top organizations that create great workplaces in multiple countries. From thousands of companies considered as great workplaces, 3M stood out with 15 national Best Workplace titles around the globe.

“We know investing in a high-trust workplace culture results in distinct, tangible business benefits and provides a fun place to work,” said Marlene McGrath, senior vice president of Human Resources. “Engaged employees are key to driving innovation and making a difference around the world.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

Henkel operates worldwide in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Cosmetics/Toiletries and Adhesive Technologies. Adhesives, sealants and surface treatments from Henkel serve the transportation, electronics, aerospace, metal, durable goods, consumer goods, maintenance, and repair and packaging industries, with a range of products for the craftsman and consumer.

In June 2016, Henkel opened a composite lab in Heidelberg, Germany. The test facility reportedly allows automotive customers to partner with Henkel to develop and test composite parts and to determine the best production process conditions to make their ideas ready for market.

In September 2016, Henkel opened a noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) lab located in the Henkel Adhesive Innovation Center in Shanghai, China. Henkel intends for the 400-sq-m facility to help the company stay on top of automotive trends and offer OEM solutions to meet the requirements in the area of NVH. With its state-of-the-art experimental and computational analysis facilities, the new NVH lab is dedicated to noise regulation testing and NVH quality improvement.

In March 2017, Henkel announced it had entered into exclusive negotiations with GCP Applied Technologies to acquire its global Darex Packaging Technologies business for $1.05 billion on a cash- and debt-free basis. Henkel has reportedly submitted a binding offer for the business. Based in Cambridge, Mass., Darex supplies high-performance sealants and coatings for the metal packaging industry worldwide. In fiscal 2016, Darex Packaging Technologies reportedly generated sales of around $300 million. The company has about 700 employees and 20 sites in 19 countries.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Huntsman Corp. is a publicly traded global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals with 2016 revenues of approximately $10 billion. The company manufactures thousands of chemical products, which are sold worldwide to manufacturers serving a broad and diverse range of consumer and industrial end markets. The company operates more than 100 manufacturing and R&D facilities in approximately 30 countries and employs approximately 15,000 people within its five business divisions.

In May 2017, Huntsman and Clariant announced that their boards of directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine in a merger of equals through an all-stock transaction. The merged company, to be named HuntsmanClariant, will reportedly create a leading global specialty chemical company with sales of approximately $13.2 billion and a combined enterprise value of approximately $20 billion. The transaction is targeted to close by the end of the year.

“This is the perfect deal at the right time,” said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant. “Clariant and Huntsman are joining forces to gain much broader global reach, create more sustained innovation power and achieve new growth opportunities. This is in the best interest of all of our stakeholders. Peter Huntsman and I share the same strategic vision, and I look forward to working with him.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

Wacker is a globally operating chemical company headquartered in Munich, Germany. With a wide range of specialty products, Wacker is a leader in numerous industrial sectors.

In June 2017, Wacker opened a new silicones R&D center in Ann Arbor, Mich. Located near the company’s Adrian, Mich., facility, the new center is located at the co-work campus of the Michigan Innovation Headquarters. It consists of labs for R&D and analytics, and offers a lab environment for the development of new products.

“We have completed the necessary preparation work and installation of equipment for several labs focusing on research and development,” said David Wilhoit, president and CEO, Wacker Chemical Corp. “Right from the start, we are engaged in projects involving health and medical care, paints and coatings, electronics and personal care products, all of which are key industry growth segments, particularly for silicone-based chemistry.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

Avery Dennison is a global leader in pressure-sensitive and functional materials and labeling solutions. The company’s applications and technologies are used in every major industry. With operations in more than 50 countries and more than 25,000 employees worldwide, Avery Dennison serves customers in the consumer packaging, graphical display, logistics, apparel, industrial, and healthcare industries.

“I am pleased to report another year of progress toward our long-term goals,” said Mitch Butier, president and CEO. “We drove strong organic sales growth and margin expansion through our strategy to accelerate growth in high-value categories and disciplined execution in our base businesses.

“Label and Graphic Materials had another outstanding year, and the transformation of Retail Branding and Information Solutions is on track. Results in our newly created Industrial and Healthcare Materials segment were as anticipated, and it is well-positioned for profitable growth. I would like to thank our employees for their dedication and focus on our continued success.

“In 2017, we expect to again deliver solid sales and earnings growth. We remain confident that the consistent execution of our strategies will enable us to achieve our long-term goal of superior value creation through a balance of profitable growth and capital discipline.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protecting in the building sector and automotive industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 97 countries around the world and manufactures in over 190 factories. It employs more than 17,000 people.

Total sales for 2016 rose by 5.6% to the equivalent of CHF 5.75 billion ($5.96 billion). Reportedly due to the strong figures from the previous year and shifts in demand, growth in the markets during the fourth quarter of 2016 fell just short of the company’s expectations. However, all regions managed to lift turnover and gain further market share. Strong above-average growth rates were recorded in the U.S., Mexico, the UK, Africa, Southeast Asia and Australia, as well as in the automotive business area.

“We continued to successfully implement our growth strategy and achieved an increase in sales of over 5% in the business year 2016,” said Jan Jenisch, CEO. “We also expect record figures for operating profit and net profit. With investments in nine new factories, four new national subsidiaries and four acquisitions, we have established the basis for future growth. These 17 investments, together with our pipeline of new products and our strong sales organization, allow us to look with much confidence to the future. Our thanks go to our global management team and our more than 17,000 employees whose expertise and dedication—in the face of sometimes challenging conditions in some markets—have again generated record sales.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

RPM International Inc. owns subsidiaries that are world leaders in specialty coatings, sealants, building materials and related services across three segments. The company’s industrial products include roofing systems, sealants, corrosion-control coatings, flooring coatings and other construction chemicals. Consumer products are used by professionals and do-it-yourselfers for home maintenance and improvement and by hobbyists. RPM’s specialty products include industrial cleaners, colorants, exterior finishes, specialty OEM coatings, edible coatings, restoration services equipment, and specialty glazes for the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Fiscal 2016 consolidated full-year net sales increased 4.8% to $4.81 billion from $4.59 billion in fiscal 2015. Net income increased 48.1% to $354.7 million from the reported $239.5 million in fiscal 2015.

“In fiscal 2017, we are expecting overall sales growth in the 4% to 6% range, with the consumer and specialty segments up in the mid-single-digit range and the industrial segment up in the low-single-digit range,” said Frank C. Sullivan, chairman and CEO. “We expect continued improvement in the U.S. commercial construction and housing sectors, while global markets will remain somewhat choppy, especially those serving energy and heavy industry, along with currency headwinds, especially the British pound.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

For 80 years, MAPEI has produced adhesives, sealants and chemical products for the building industry. The company currently operates 73 production facilities in 33 countries around the world.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Worldwide, Bostik employs some 5,000 people in 50 countries across five continents. Its customers come from diverse markets, most notably the industrial manufacturing, construction and consumer sectors.

In September 2016, Bostik announced that Vincent Legros was appointed chairman and CEO of Bostik and would become a member of Arkema’s executive committee. Legros joined the Saint-Gobain group in 1998 as production engineer at the Pont-à-Mousson plant. He has since held several positions, most recently as deputy managing director of Saint-Gobain Pont-à-Mousson and director of the group’s pipe business.

Source: Press releases, company contact

H.B. Fuller provides adhesives, sealants, and other specialty chemical products for markets and applications including packaging, building and construction, paper converting, woodworking adhesives, general assembly adhesives and laminates, person hygiene and nonwovens, tile and floor adhesive products, and polymers.

Net revenue for the 2016 fiscal year was $2.094.6 billion, up 0.5% vs. the 2015 fiscal year. Higher volume/mix and an extra week reportedly had a positive impact on net revenue growth by 3.9 percentage points. Lower average selling prices and negative foreign currency translation negatively impacted net revenue growth by 1.6 and 1.8 percentage points, respectively.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Dow Automotive Systems, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Co., is a leading global provider of collaborative solutions and advanced materials for original equipment manufacturers, tier suppliers, aftermarket customers and commercial transportation manufacturers. Its materials focus includes structural, elastic and rubber-to-substrate adhesive solutions; polyurethane foams and acoustical management solutions; films; fluids; and innovative composite technologies. Offices and application development centers are located around the world.

In November 2016, Dow Automotive Systems announced that its Betaforce™ composite bonding adhesives were named to the 2016 R&D 100 list of most significant technology innovations of the year. This is the third consecutive year that Dow Automotive Systems has had a product on the list. Betaforce is a two-component polyurethane adhesive used for structural bonding in heat accelerated processes, adhesion injection processes and gap filling. It was reportedly used for the new BMW 7 Series, the Audi R8, and the Lamborghini Huracan.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW) is a diversified manufacturer of highly engineered components and industrial systems and consumables. The company’s Polymers & Fluids business segment includes adhesives, sealants, lubrication and cutting fluids, janitorial and hygiene products, and fluids and polymers for auto aftermarket maintenance and appearance. Its businesses and brands include Plexus, Permatex, TACC, and Schnee-Morehead.

ITW as a corporation had revenues of $13.6 billion in fiscal 2016, an increase of 1%.

Source: Press releases, company contact

LORD Corp. is a diversified technology and manufacturing company developing adhesives, coatings, motion management devices, and sensing technologies that significantly reduce risk and improve product performance. For more than 90 years, LORD has collaborated with customers to provide innovative oil and gas, aerospace, defense, automotive, and industrial solutions.

With world headquarters in Cary, N.C., LORD has approximately 3,100 employees in 26 countries and operates 19 manufacturing facilities and 10 R&D centers worldwide. LORD actively promotes STEM education and many other community engagement initiatives.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Royal Adhesives & Sealants is a manufacturer and marketer of high-performance adhesives, sealants, encapsulants, and specialty polymers used in a variety of markets, including aerospace and defense, automotive, recreational vehicle, bus, truck and trailer, marine, assembly, electrical/electronic, filter, printing, packaging and laminating, roofing, and flooring.

In June 2017, Graco Supply Co. announced that it sold the business assets of the Ball Ground aircraft sealant repackaging business to Royal Adhesives & Sealants LLC. Based in Ball Ground, Ga., the business provides point-of-use pre-mixed and frozen aircraft sealants and other packaging and application kits to aircraft manufacturers and their subcontractors. 

Source: Press releases, company contact

Mactac North America has manufactured and supplied pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) and tapes for over 50 years. The company serves industries including labeling, packaging, assembly engineering, automotive assembly, medical device assembly, graphic design, digital imaging, and more.

Source: Press releases, company contact

The Jowat Corp. was established in 1979 as a subsidiary of Jowat SE (established in 1919). The company manufactures adhesives used in industrial applications, including wood and furniture, paper and packaging, construction, structural wood, upholstery, mattress and foam converting, graphics and bookbinding, automotive, textile, and assembly.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Franklin International manufactures adhesives for the domestic and global wood furniture, millwork, construction and engineered-lamination markets. It also provides pressure-sensitive adhesives for office products and food packaging, as well as specialty polymers to various companies to formulate or use them in fiberglass, filter fabrication, and nonwovens.

Source: Press releases, company contact

"DELO Industrial Adhesives completed its fiscal year with strong growth," said Robert Saller, managing director, international and management board member. "We generated sales revenues of $101 million, representing an increase of 18%. The strongest growth, with 67%, could be recorded in China, which has now become DELO's largest market."

Source: Press releases, company contact

Wisdom Adhesives Worldwide is a global leader in the manufacture and formulation of hot-melt and water-based adhesives for the packaging, converting and graphic arts markets. Core products and technologies include: olefin and EVA hot melts, pressure-sensitive adhesives, PVAc and VAE water-based adhesives, and protein and dextrin adhesives, as well as custom adhesives for specific needs.

Founded in 1875 by Philip Wisdom, Wisdom Adhesives Worldwide is reportedly the longest continuously operating adhesives manufacturer in the world, with company leadership headed by five consecutive generations of the Wisdom family. Today, Wisdom has production facilities and sales offices in the U.S., Canada, Belgium, Turkey, India, Malaysia, China, Australia, Mexico, and many other markets.

In January 2017, H.B. Fuller announced that it purchased Wisdom’s industrial adhesives busines. “We are pleased to welcome the employees and customers of this 140-year-old company to H.B. Fuller,” said Jim Owens, president and CEO of H.B. Fuller. “Wisdom’s highly successful go-to-market strategy, based on a focused product line, ultra-fast delivery and virtual service, will complement H.B. Fuller’s full value solutions. The acquisition will strengthen our leading position in this market segment within the Americas adhesive business. The combination of H.B. Fuller and Wisdom provides significant cost synergy opportunities combined with some growth opportunities related to the complementary operating model and customer bases of the two companies. This acquisition will enhance and strengthen the delivery of our 2020 strategic plan commitments.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

The Reynolds Co. is a manufacturer of water-based, hot-melt and dry-blended adhesives. The company also performs customized, contract or "toll" blending, as well as private labeling.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Uniseal develops application-based adhesive and sealant solutions to meet the unique needs of its automotive OEM customers and customers in other industries. Products are supplied globally for use in the automotive, heavy truck and trailer, agricultural and heavy equipment, and general industrial markets.

In May 2017, Uniseal announced it opened a 1,455-sq-m (15,665-sq-ft) manufacturing facility in Derby, UK. The new facility will produce bulk-applied materials, such as structural adhesives, crash-durable adhesives, anti-flutters, body panel reinforcements, and sound-dampening materials, for Europe-based automotive manufacturers. The Derby facility will reportedly house sales offices, as well as manufacturing and logistics operations. Uniseal will initially employ 20 people in Derby, with projections to double the workforce in the future.

“The addition of the facility in Derby is aligned with Uniseal’s customer-centric focus on expanding local, technical and sales support while bringing the supply of our products closer to customer operations,” said Brandon Willis, president. “This will be the third manufacturing facility for Uniseal outside of North America, which is a testament to our growth within the automotive industry worldwide.”

Source: Press releases, company contact

Dymax Corp. is a leading manufacturer of advanced light-curable adhesives, coatings, oligomers, light-curing equipment, and fluid dispense systems. The corporate headquarters are based in Torrington, Conn., with additional facilities in Germany, China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Ireland.

The company works with OEMs to create complete system solutions that increase manufacturing efficiency and throughput, enhance quality, improve safety, and reduce environmental impact. Dymax serves the needs of the medical, electronics, optical, aerospace, automotive, appliance, metal finishing, and alternative energy industries worldwide.

Source: Press releases, company contact

For over 50 years, General Sealants Inc. has specialized in the manufacture of unique sealants and adhesives for its customer base in the aerospace, telecommunication, automotive OEM, composites, HVAC, pipeline, highway, industrial manufacturing, construction, and RV/caravan industries. Headquartered in City of Industry, Calif., and with current product distribution in over 72 countries, General Sealants is reportedly one of the longest continuously operating, privately held extruded sealant manufacturers in the world. Company leadership has been headed by three consecutive generations.

Source: Press releases, company contact

In 1989, Yokohama Hydex established Yokohama Industries Americas to meet the ever-growing demands of U.S. automakers. Yokohama Industries Americas's Sealant Division, located in Versailles, Ky., is a global supplier of high-performance glass bonding adhesive systems to the transportation industry.

Source: Press releases, company contact

Sashco manufactures high-performance products designed to work best for specific applications. It does not employ a "good-better-best mindset," but rather intends to prevent needless frustration and repeated trips to the hardware store for the same project. The company likes to call it "delighting the customer with a better way."

Source: Press releases, company contact