Global Water based laminating adhesive Production, key Producers and Capacity Analysis, (2024 – 2030)

Who are the top ten producers of Water based laminating adhesive globally

1. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Overview & Capabilities

Henkel, headquartered in Düsseldorf (Germany), is a global leader in water‑based laminating adhesive production, notably under its LOCTITE® and Technomelt® brands. It offers advanced adhesive systems for flexible packaging, bookbinding, industrial laminates, and speciality coatings.

Production Capacity & R&D

Henkel has a widespread manufacturing footprint, with plants across Europe, North America, Asia Pacific and emerging economies. Its adhesive technologies segment continues to drive innovations with increasingly high bio‑based content formulations, reducing VOC emissions significantly.

Target Markets & Segments

Key end‑use segments include food & beverage flexible packaging (FDA‑compliant adhesives), industrial laminates, automotive bookbinding, and graphics applications in Europe and North America. Their LOCTITE® ECO line targets sustainability‑oriented brand owners.

2. H.B. Fuller Company

Overview & Capabilities

Based in St. Paul, Minnesota (USA), H.B. Fuller specializes in water‑based laminating adhesives under brands such as Swift®tak and Fulacolor®. They focus on high‑performance and colour‑stable adhesives for snack‑food pouches, pharmaceutical blister packaging, and flexible packaging.

Production Capacity

H.B. Fuller holds nearly 18% of North American flexible packaging adhesive market share, supported by multiple production hubs and growing R&D investment in sustainable adhesive systems.

Target Markets & Segments

Primary segments include pharmaceuticals, snack food wrappers, consumer goods packaging—with clients prioritizing environmentally sound, food-contact safe laminating adhesive production.

3. 3M Company

Overview & Capabilities

3M, headquartered in Saint Paul, Minnesota, is a diversified materials science giant offering Scotch‑Weld™ water-based laminating adhesives. They serve sectors such as medical device packaging, high‑barrier food, and industrial products.

Production Capacity

With production operations in over 70 countries and sales in nearly 200, 3M maintains global production capacity for water‑based adhesive systems and low‑VOC laminating solutions. Their sustainable portfolio achieved as much as 90% reduction in VOC emissions since 2010.

Target Markets & Segments

They target high‑regulation sectors (FDA‑compliant packaging, medical, electronics), flexible packaging converters, and industrial laminations demanding consistent performance and eco-certifications.

4. Dow Inc. (formerly Dow Chemical)

Overview & Capabilities

Dow, based in Midland, Michigan (USA), develops and manufactures water-based adhesive polymers engineered for laminating PET/PE and metalized films and high-barrier applications.

Production Capacity & Innovation

Dow’s production capacity ranks among the highest globally in industrial grade water‑based laminating adhesive production. Their R&D focuses on bio-based acrylic adhesives and circular packaging partnerships.

Target Markets & Segments

Key segments include packaging converters (especially food & beverage), electronics, industrial laminates, and companies pursuing recyclable or mono‑material packaging formats.

5. Ashland Global Holdings

Overview & Capabilities

Ashland, headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware (USA), offers Aquadere™ water-based laminating adhesives. They are known for high‑temperature retort applications and metallized film compatibility (up to 135 °C).

Production Capacity

Ashland expanded production in markets including India (2023 expansion) to serve Asia Pacific packaging demand, backing water‑based laminating adhesive production with local capacity and technical service networks.

Target Markets & Segments

They serve snack food, pet food, pharma blister lamination, and premium packaging where heat resistance and high adhesion are critical.

6. Arkema Group / Bostik

Overview & Capabilities

Based in Colombes, France, Arkema (via its adhesive subsidiary Bostik) provides ENCOR® and ARCERYL® water-based laminating adhesives (Arkema) and a broader portfolio via Bostik for advanced packaging, hygiene, and industrial sealing.

Production Capacity

Arkema/Bostik operates globally—Arkema has strong European facilities, and Bostik supports production across 45+ countries with €2.7 b annual sales. Arkema’s Coating Resins division serves about 35% of European packaging converters.

Target Markets & Segments

They target EMEA packaging converters, hygiene product manufacturers, construction & industrial laminates, and offer eco-certified adhesive solutions for sustainable packaging.

7. Sika AG

Overview & Capabilities

Sika (Baar, Switzerland) is a leader in adhesives and chemical specialty systems. Its SikaMelt® water-based laminating adhesives support automotive interior laminates, technical textiles, and composite lamination.

Production Capacity

Sika maintains global sites and expanded capacity by acquiring niche laminating adhesive producers (e.g. marine-focused adhesives in late 2023). Their water‑based adhesive line aims for ~40% revenue share.

Target Markets & Segments

Strong in automotive OEM supply chains, textile lamination, specialty building materials, and construction narrow formats—where weight reduction, bond strength, and sustainability matter.

8. DIC Corporation

Overview & Capabilities

Japanese chemical giant DIC Corporation (Tokyo) provides DICnoryl™ water-based laminating adhesives engineered for high-speed converting (up to 600 m/min) and retort-resistant flexible packaging applications.

Production Capacity

Capturing about 25% of Japan’s packaging adhesive market, DIC invests heavily in high-volume production lines compatible with fast converting and sustainable recyclable laminates.

Target Markets & Segments

Their adhesives serve high-speed food and beverage packaging, retort pouches, converters requiring high throughput and stringent thermal adhesion consistency.

9. Flint Group

Overview & Capabilities

Based in Luxembourg, Flint Group provides comprehensive packaging adhesive systems including water-based laminating adhesives suitable for food, pharma and mono‑material flexible structures.

Production Capacity

Flint Group supports global converters and printers; since 2021, all their laminating adhesives are certified VOC‑free, reflecting robust eco‑capacity scaling.

Target Markets & Segments

They target pharmaceutical packaging, food & beverage flexible packaging converters, and brands looking to meet CEFLEX circular economy guidelines via recyclable structures.

10. Coim Group

Overview & Capabilities

Coim Group (Milan, Italy) specialises in Uni‑Rez® water-based polyurethane laminating adhesives with patented solvent‑free lamination technologies and high-performance PU chemistry.

Production Capacity

Coim’s facilities support industrial scale water‑based laminating adhesive production, backed by €50 million invested in bio‑based polyols and solvent‑free lamination research.

Target Markets & Segments

Focus on flexible packaging for food, pharmaceuticals, high-barrier labels, and converters in Europe seeking solvent-free, bio-based adhesive production methods.

Top five largest Water based laminating adhesive producing countries globally

United States

The United States is the largest producer of water-based laminating adhesives globally. Its leadership in chemical manufacturing, research and development, and sustainable packaging drives significant adhesive production. Major global producers such as Henkel, H.B. Fuller, 3M, and Dow operate extensive production facilities across the country, serving both domestic and international markets.

Water based laminating adhesive production in the United States benefits from a mature industrial base and a strong focus on innovation. The country leads in developing adhesives with low VOC content and bio-based formulations, in response to increasing environmental regulations and consumer demand for sustainable solutions. Production capacity is substantial, covering a wide range of industries such as food and beverage packaging, pharmaceuticals, automotive, and consumer goods.

China

China is the second-largest producer of water-based laminating adhesives, driven by its large manufacturing sector and growing demand for flexible packaging. Rapid industrialization and urbanization have fueled the expansion of packaging and label applications, leading to increased adhesive consumption and domestic production.

The country’s water based laminating adhesive production is supported by a wide network of medium to large-scale adhesive manufacturers. China also benefits from cost-effective raw materials, skilled labor, and government incentives aimed at encouraging environmentally friendly production. Chinese producers are scaling up capacity to meet the rising domestic and export demands for food-safe, low-emission adhesive systems.

Germany

Germany is a major hub for advanced chemical manufacturing and ranks among the top five countries in water based laminating adhesive production. German companies focus on high-performance adhesives for industrial applications, emphasizing precision, quality, and sustainability.

Germany’s adhesive production capacity is driven by leading companies such as Henkel and Bostik (a subsidiary of France-based Arkema, with strong operations in Germany). The country’s production is characterized by strict environmental standards, pushing manufacturers to develop water-based adhesives with low environmental impact. Target markets include industrial laminates, electronics, automotive interiors, and high-end food packaging.

Japan

Japan has long been a leader in high-precision, technologically advanced chemical manufacturing, including water based laminating adhesive production. Japanese companies specialize in adhesives for high-speed converting, heat resistance, and applications demanding consistent performance.

Japanese production capacity is robust and serves both domestic and regional markets, particularly Southeast Asia. Japan is also known for its development of adhesives for specialized sectors such as electronics, pharmaceuticals, and barrier film lamination. Companies continually invest in R&D to produce high-purity, eco-friendly formulations for demanding industries.

India

India is a fast-emerging player in water based laminating adhesive production, driven by a booming packaging industry and increasing awareness of sustainable packaging practices. The demand for flexible packaging, especially in food, dairy, and personal care, is rapidly growing, fueling domestic adhesive production.

India’s adhesive manufacturers are expanding capacity with support from foreign joint ventures and local investments. Although still developing compared to global leaders, India’s market is gaining strength through cost-effective production, a large skilled workforce, and rising exports to neighboring countries. India is expected to climb further in global rankings in the coming years.

Water based laminating adhesive production trends

Water-Based Laminating Adhesive Production Trends

Water-based laminating adhesive production is undergoing a significant transformation driven by global sustainability efforts, regulatory pressure, and evolving packaging needs. Manufacturers and end users are shifting toward environmentally friendly adhesive solutions, leading to steady growth in the demand and capacity for water-based systems. These adhesives, which rely on water as the primary solvent, are replacing solvent-based counterparts in many applications due to their lower volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and safer handling.

One of the most prominent trends is the rapid growth of sustainable packaging, particularly in food, beverage, and pharmaceutical industries. As governments and corporations pursue greener supply chains, the need for adhesives that comply with environmental and safety standards has become critical. Water-based laminating adhesives are gaining traction because they meet strict regulatory requirements while also supporting the recyclability of packaging materials. This has led to increased investment in water-based adhesive production facilities globally.

Another key trend is the development of high-performance formulations. Traditional water-based adhesives were often considered less durable than solvent-based systems, especially for high-barrier or high-temperature applications. However, advancements in polymer technology—such as acrylics, polyurethane dispersions, and hybrid emulsions—have significantly improved the bonding strength, moisture resistance, and heat stability of water-based laminating adhesives. These innovations have expanded their use into more demanding markets such as retort packaging, industrial laminates, and medical packaging.

Production capacity expansion is also shaping the global landscape. Major adhesive producers in the United States, China, Germany, and India are scaling up operations to meet rising demand from flexible packaging converters. Manufacturers are building or upgrading plants with automated blending, inline quality control, and energy-efficient systems to improve throughput while reducing environmental impact. Many companies are also establishing regional production hubs to serve localized demand and reduce logistics costs.

Digitalization and smart manufacturing are becoming important in adhesive production. Companies are adopting digital tools to optimize formulations, monitor production variables in real time, and ensure consistent adhesive quality. Data-driven production methods reduce material waste and support traceability across the value chain—especially important in applications involving food or pharmaceuticals.

Another notable trend is the increased focus on recyclability and mono-material packaging. Traditional multilayer laminates using incompatible adhesives hinder recycling processes. Water-based adhesives are more compatible with mono-material and recyclable film structures, helping converters and brands achieve circular packaging goals. This shift is prompting producers to design adhesives that can be washed off or remain inert during recycling, enhancing material recovery.

Emerging markets are playing a growing role in global production trends. Countries like India, Indonesia, and Brazil are seeing increased demand for laminated flexible packaging, and local adhesive production is rising accordingly. These markets are also embracing water-based systems due to health and environmental regulations.