I’ve often heard the adhesive industry described as the very definition of mature, supplying commoditized, low cost products that give their manufacturers narrow profit margins. Adhesive producers might therefore largely rely on long-established formulations, selling into well-known applications, with little scope for innovation. It’s natural to compare your own experience against such statements. That context could make you think your own company shouldn’t be employing so many people to create new adhesives, or find new places to use them. Instead, it would make more sense if technical staff were simply supporting manufacturing.