Structural Adhesives Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Resin Type (Epoxy, Polyurethane, Acrylic, Cyanoacrylate, Methyl Methacrylate, and Others), By Technology (Water-based, Solvent-Based, and Others), Substrate (Metal, Composite, Wood, and Plastic), By End-Use Industry (Construction, Automotive, Aerospace, Wind Energy, and Others), and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Structural Adhesives Market size was valued at US$ 12,462.9 in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 17,304.1 million by 2031, growing at a significant CAGR of 4.8% from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. market is projected to grow significantly, reaching an estimated value of US$ 5,398.9 Million by 2031.

The global market is focused on the production, distribution, and application of high-strength bonding agents, structural adhesives that are specifically formulated to join load-bearing parts or components across diverse industries such as automotive, aerospace, construction, electronics, and more. The global market is being primarily driven by the rising use of lightweight materials in the automotive and aerospace sectors to improve fuel efficiency and meet stringent emission norms. Structural adhesives enable the bonding of dissimilar substrates like composites and metals while reducing weight and enhancing design flexibility. This trend is amplified by the shift toward electric vehicles, where adhesives are essential for bonding battery enclosures and vehicle bodies. Supporting this, a major trend is the increasing adoption of hybrid adhesives that combine mechanical strength with resistance to heat, moisture, and chemicals. These are gaining traction in EVs, aerospace, and wind energy applications.

Moreover, innovation in smart adhesives (self-healing, conductive, or sensor-enabled) and the use of bio-based, low-VOC formulations are transforming the sustainability landscape. The key opportunity lies in the growing need for adhesives in EVs, renewable energy, and modular construction due to their structural advantages and weight-saving benefits. However, restraints include performance limitations under extreme conditions such as high temperatures and UV exposure, which hinder use in critical applications. Disassembly issues, long curing times, and VOC regulations also present challenges. Despite these constraints, continuous R&D and market shift toward green technologies are solidifying structural adhesives as a cornerstone of advanced engineering solutions.

Facts & Figures 

• Lightweighting in Transportation: Structural adhesives are replacing traditional welding and mechanical fasteners in the automotive and aerospace sectors to reduce overall vehicle weight, improve fuel economy, and meet stringent emission standards. Adhesives bond materials like composites and aluminium more effectively and with less weight than bolts or welds. For instance, BMW and Airbus are increasingly using adhesives in bonding carbon fiber and aluminium structures to reduce aircraft and vehicle weight. This shift supports EU emission reduction goals, especially for 2035 net-zero targets.
• Growth of Electric Vehicles (EVs): EV manufacturers rely on adhesives to bond battery modules, protect electrical components, and enhance crash performance through stress distribution. These adhesives provide thermal stability and electrical insulation while enabling a sleek design. For instance, Tesla’s Cybertruck and BYD’s latest models integrate structural adhesives for bonding aluminium exteriors and battery enclosures. Adhesives help reduce vibrations and allow multi-material assembly, critical for EV durability and safety.
• Advancements in Hybrid and Smart Adhesive Technologies: New adhesive technologies combine the benefits of epoxies, acrylics, and polyurethanes to create hybrid products with enhanced temperature resistance, flexibility, and conductivity. Smart adhesives can respond to stimuli or integrate with sensors. For instance, Henkel’s 2023 sensor-integrated adhesives for EV batteries and aerospace allowed real-time structural health monitoring, enabling predictive maintenance and safety analytics.
• Expansion in Wind Energy and Renewable Infrastructure: The wind energy sector uses adhesives to bond large rotor blades made of composite materials. Adhesives enhance blade strength, reduce maintenance needs, and withstand harsh offshore conditions. For instance, Siemens Gamesa, in March 2024, announced its newest turbine blade line would be assembled using specialized epoxy adhesives for improved fatigue resistance in offshore environments.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Henkel completed the acquisition of Kraton’s specialty adhesives division for $1.1 billion to expand its sustainable adhesives portfolio and deepen its footprint in EV and aerospace applications. This move strengthens Henkel’s position in hybrid and bio-based structural adhesives, aligning with global green chemistry trends.
• In March 2025, Scott Bader entered a strategic alliance with Arkema to co-produce UV-curable structural adhesives for aerospace and marine applications, targeting faster curing cycles and lower energy consumption, a key trend in advanced manufacturing.
• In February 2025, Bostik, a subsidiary of Arkema, initiated a joint venture with Thailand’s Chulalongkorn University to develop bio-based structural adhesives derived from tropical biomass. This move supports APAC growth and addresses the rising demand for green adhesive solutions.
• In August 2024, Dow signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Hyundai Motor Group to co-develop structural adhesives for use in EV frames and lightweight automotive structures, further tapping into the surging EV sector across Asia and Europe.

 Structural Adhesives Market Segmentation

Based on the resin type 

• Epoxy
• Polyurethane
• Acrylic
• Cyanoacrylate
• Methyl Methacrylate
• Others

Among resin types, epoxy adhesives hold the largest market share in the global market due to their superior mechanical strength, chemical resistance, and ability to bond a wide range of substrates, including metals, composites, and plastics. Epoxies are widely used in, especially for load-bearing applications where durability and performance are critical. automotive, aerospace, electronics, and construction. Their ability to perform well under thermal and environmental stress further strengthens their industrial appeal. The cyanoacrylate adhesives, known for their rapid bonding, hold a smaller share, as they are typically limited to small-scale or non-structural applications due to lower flexibility and impact resistance.

Based on the technology 

• Water-based
• Solvent-based
• Others

The water-based adhesives currently hold the larger market share due to their environmentally friendly profile, low VOC emissions, and compliance with tightening global regulations on solvent emissions. These adhesives are increasingly favored in construction, packaging, and furniture applications, where sustainability and worker safety are top priorities. Their ease of use, lower toxicity, and improved bonding capabilities across porous surfaces make them suitable for a wide range of non-critical structural uses. On the other hand, solvent-based adhesives, though known for their strong initial tack and faster drying time, are gradually losing share due to stricter environmental norms and concerns over flammability and worker exposure.

Based on the substrate 

• Metal
• Composite
• Wood
• Plastic

The holds the largest market share in the market. This dominance is driven by high adoption in automotive, aerospace, and industrial sectors, where strong, durable bonds are required to join metallic parts without adding weight or compromising structural integrity. Structural adhesives offer advantages over welding and mechanical fasteners, such as uniform stress distribution and corrosion resistance, especially critical in electric vehicle battery enclosures and aircraft components. Wood, although used in furniture and construction, holds the smallest share due to limited load-bearing adhesive applications.

Based on the end-user industry 

• Construction
• Automotive
• Aerospace
• Wind Energy
• Others

The automotive sector holds the largest market share in the market. This is due to the growing use of lightweight materials like composites and aluminum in vehicle manufacturing to improve fuel efficiency and meet emission norms. Structural adhesives are preferred over welding and riveting for bonding these materials because they reduce vehicle weight, enhance crash durability, and support sleeker designs, especially critical for electric vehicles. Aerospace and wind energy are niche but fast-growing segments, with adhesives enabling lightweight structures and vibration resistance, though they contribute a smaller share due to their specialized applications.