In 2000, demand for emulsion polymers in the global adhesives industry totaled 1.9 million metric tons (dry basis), valued at $3.4 billion. (These totals exclude materials used as carpet adhesives and backings, primarily styrene- butadiene latex.) Demand for adhesive emulsions is forecast to expand 4.4 percent per year to 2.3 million metric tons in 2005, slightly outpacing inflation-adjusted growth in the global economy, which is forecast at 3.7 percent annually between 2000 and 2005.
World Demand for Emulsion Polymers in General-Purpose Adhesives, 2000
(1.9 million metric tons)
Emulsion polymers are widely used as the polymeric base for a variety of general-purpose adhesives. The largest volume market for these materials is packaging adhesives used for paper and paperboard packaging, including boxes, folded cartons and paper bags. Emulsions also serve as binders for pressure sensitive adhesives used for tapes and labels; in the production of nonwovens such as diapers and feminine hygiene products; and in consumer products such as household glue and carpenter's wood glue.