Market research report publisher Technavio has compiled a decisive list of the top five global players in construction sealants from 2017 to 2021.
Sealant
The worldwide market for polyurethane sealants was estimated at $2,039.9 million (€1,778 million, £1,586 million) in 2016, while the global construction industry continues to grow, climbing to $12 trillion by 2020.
Sealants such as PU or silicone sealants are used in building and construction for numerous jobs such as sealing gaps to make them air- and noise-tight, and are popular due to their high elongation properties.
The market is well established, with many large and smaller players keeping competition high.
Technavio Research Analyst Mahitha Mallishetty explained: "Vendors are also investing highly in research and development to manufacture new products. Investments in research and development will not only lead to new product development but also provide an opportunity to differentiate their products from their competitors. Also, owing to the rise in demand for construction sealants, manufacturers are expanding their operations to other countries."
In alphabetical order, Technavio identified 3M, Arkema, HB Fuller, Henkel and Sika as the ones to watch in the three years to 2021.
3M's Polyurethane Construction Sealant 525 cures to form a flexible and resilient bond with good adhesion to most materials. Arkema's insulating sealants hold a strong market position after acquiring Bostik and Den Braven. HB Fuller offers building and construction sealants for spacing and glass, including multi-pane insulating glass and thermoplastic spacing. Henkel sealants are used in insulation, wall systems, doors, windows and flooring, as well as in renewable energy source installations such as photovoltaic installations. Henkel also has an environmentally-friendly product for green buildings, the OSI Green Series, which can be differentiated from its mass-market OSI Pro Series. Finally, Sika's construction sealants - which are traded under the brand Sikaflex - are moisture-cured polyurethane sealants which are used in masonry, concrete and cement-based applications, as well in usual ceramic, mental and vinyl jobs.