How Have Construction Businesses Helped Boost the Growth Rate of the Butyl Adhesives Industry?

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Applications of butyl adhesives in the construction sector
• The growth of the industry in Asia-Pacific

 

Butyl is a four-carbon alkyl radical compound derived from the isomers of butane. It is one of the first synthetic rubbers ever manufactured and was originally developed in the 1930s. The adhesives manufactured using this synthetic rubber are butyl adhesives which exhibit strong bonding properties with different substrates including metals, plastics, glass, etc.

A major reason why butyl rubbers and adhesives have been in use for so long and still have widespread applicability is due to some of their unique properties. Butyl rubbers and the adhesives made out of it are stable to oxidation and UV rays. Furthermore, as compared to traditional Styrene Butadiene Block (SBC) polymers, butyl rubbers are much more resilient to the action of ozone which makes them a tougher material for adhesives. Also, these rubbers are around 50 times less unsaturated as compared to natural latex which makes it perfect for cross-linking with other polymers.

Growing usage of butyl adhesives in the construction sector

Butyl adhesives are typically manufactured using a mixture of oil or wax plasticizer, a polymer, tackifying resin, and an additive. Generally, once the mixture undergoes different processes for the production of an adhesive, certain fillers such as clay, carbon black, calcium carbonate, flame retardants, fumed silica, etc., are added to improve its environmental resistance. As a result, these adhesives offer high viscosity even at high temperatures. Due to this property, butyl adhesives are in high demand in the construction sector.

One of the most popular areas of application for butyl adhesives is the sealing of internal/external joints in pipes and ducts. With their low-temperature flexibility and high-temperature resistance to flow, these adhesives act as the perfect solution for sealing joints and concrete pipework. In certain cases, butyl rubber compounds are also used as waterproofing solutions, especially in areas where contact with water is frequent and long-term such as wetrooms, balconies, and windows.

Also, a key advantage of butyl rubber is that, unlike conventional solvent-based adhesives, they are solvent-free, as a result of which they have a low content of volatile organic compounds. Hence, they are much more environmentally sustainable as compared to other adhesives. This advantage becomes even more important in today’s context wherein the construction sector is proactively opting for solutions that lower its carbon footprint. Moreover, many companies have launched butyl adhesive tapes specifically designed for waterproofing applications.

For instance, Osaka, an adhesive manufacturing firm, in August 2023, launched butyl tapes for sealing applications in roofing. The company released a statement that said that the product was designed to withstand the harshest of climatic conditions and can be used to seal roofing penetrations caused by pipes, chimneys, and vents. Such product launches have been one of the leading factors that have positively influenced the butyl adhesives industry.

Analyzing the rise of the industry in the Asia-Pacific region

While the butyl adhesive industry has witnessed growth globally, it has been particularly flourishing in the Asia-Pacific region for the past 2-3 years. Furthermore, the province is expected to have the fastest growth rate in the 2023-2032 period; there are several reasons behind the success of this sector in Asia-Pacific. Firstly, developing economies such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea have experienced a massive increase in the pace of urbanization and industrialization in the post-globalization era. As a result, the construction sector in these countries has been continuously booming which has increased the demand for butyl adhesives.

Moreover, with the development of butyl adhesive tapes, the applicability of this compound has further increased as these tapes are regularly used in the automotive manufacturing industry, consumer goods industry, and food packaging sectors. Since these sectors have expanded hugely in the Asia-Pacific region over the past few years, the need and demand for butyl adhesives have increased progressively.

To sum it up, butyl rubber compounds are among the most widely used adhesives in the building and construction industry due to their chemical properties. Furthermore, since these adhesives are environmentally sustainable, they help in reducing the carbon footprint of the buildings significantly. The growing pace of urbanization and the use of butyl adhesive tapes for packaging and automotive purposes is predicted to open new avenues of growth in the industry.

For tips and suggestions on how businesses can increase their revenue share in the industry, feel free to contact us.

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