Product Innovation by Market Players is Propelling the Global Aircraft Adhesive Market

Published: Dec 2024

The global aircraft adhesive market is anticipated to grow at a considerable CAGR of 7.8% by 2031. The market growth is driven by the increasing penetration of composites in aircraft manufacturing. Furthermore, the use of combined carbon nanotubes and nano additives with epoxy adhesives will provide a considerable opportunity for the growth of the market. 

Additionally, the increasing government spending on defense is contributing significantly to the market growth. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the outlay of the military expenditure in small countries has increased to 5% of GDP, however, the spending in developing countries has fallen to lower levels.  The union budget allocated INR 6,21,940.8 crore ($75 billion), to the Ministry of Defence (MoD), which is the highest among the Ministries.  

Other factors contributing to the market growth include the increase in the number of aircraft and air passengers and the rising demand for commercial aircraft. According to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) serves more than 45,000 flights and 2.9 million airline passengers across more than 29 million square miles of airspace, daily from the US airports. The FAA handles 16,405,000 flights annually.  

According to GAMA (General Aviation Manufacturers Association), 2023 marked an increase of 3.3% in shipments and billings in all segments and preliminary aircraft deliveries, amounting to $28.3 billion. Furthermore, piston airplane deliveries increased by 11.8% to 1,682 units, turboprop airplane deliveries by 9.6% to 638 units, and business jet by 2.5% to 730 units. The value of airplane deliveries for 2023 was $23.4 billion, an increase of 2.2%, over 2022. 

Similarly, the Piston helicopter saw an increase of 7.7%, with 209 units, and the civil-commercial turbine helicopter increased 9.9%, with 811 units. The value of helicopter deliveries increased by around 9.0%, amounting to $4.9 billion.  

The major companies serving the global aircraft adhesive market include Beacon Adhesives, Inc., Bostik Inc. (Arkema Inc.), Dupont De Nemours, Inc., Solvay S.A., and among others. The market players are contributing to market growth through various strategies, including product innovation, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, and more.

Recent Developments 

  • In August 2024, Syensqo and Orbex partnered to enhance the development and deployment of next-generation aerospace technologies. The companies will together integrate Syensqo's advanced adhesive, composite, and specialty polymer materials into Orbex's launch vehicles. 
  • In June 2024, Solvay partnered with Novotech.  
  • In May 2024, Syensqo launched AeroPaste 1003. It is an epoxy-based structural paste adhesive that already includes AeroPaste 1006 and 1100. The adhesive will increase part assembly efficiency and offer processing flexibility. The product is designed for structural bonding of metallic and composite parts, rapid assembly, and repair applications and is suitable for out-of-autoclave. It offers controlled flow properties for easy dispensing. 
  • In May 2024,  DuPont™ Tedlar® will exhibited at the 2024 Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX). Tedlar® is a lightweight and long-lasting protective material.
  • In February 2024, PPG Industries, Inc., added two adhesives to its aerospace portfolio: PPG PR-2940™ epoxy syntactic paste adhesive (ESPA) and PPG PR-2936™. ESPA is used for binding the internal structures of an aircraft. PPG PR-2936™ incorporates the properties of a shim and sealant and is used for attaching the outer skin of an aircraft to the internal structures.
  • In October 2023, Solvay expanded FusePly® chemical bonding technology by introducing a new product  FusePly® 250, to bind composite structures at 250°F and higher.
  • In July 2023, Park Aerospace Corp. launched the Aeroadhere FAE-350-1 structural film adhesive product. It is useful in the bonding of aerospace primary and secondary structures. FAE-350-1 is a 350°F curing epoxy formulation film adhesive designed to bind composite-to-composite, composite-to-honeycomb, composite-to-metal, metal-to-metal, and metal-to-honeycomb structures.  

Encapsulating, the global aircraft adhesive market is estimated to grow owing to the increasing penetration of composites in aircraft manufacturing, the use of combined carbon nanotubes and nano additives with epoxy adhesives, increasing government spending on defense, an increasing number of aircraft and air passengers, and the significant contribution by market players in R&D. However, the decreased government spending on defense in certain developing countries challenging the market growth.