Delray Beach, Fla. – September 13, 2026 -- The global automotive adhesives market will expand from $9.27 billion in 2026 to $12.36 billion by 2031, a 5.91% compound annual growth rate, according to MarketsandMarkets. Growth is being driven by lightweighting mandates, electric vehicle production, and manufacturing automation that favor adhesive bonding over traditional mechanical fastening.
Asia Pacific commands 59.3% of global adhesive value as regional vehicle output scales
Asia Pacific dominated the market in 2025 with a 59.3% value share, while Europe ranked second, supported by robotic dispensing and automated curing systems across vehicle plants. Passenger cars accounted for 70.7% of automotive adhesive demand by vehicle type in 2025, with light commercial vehicles holding the second-largest share as fleet operators standardize high-volume production runs.
Powertrain applications to post fastest growth at 7.45% CAGR through 2031
Polyurethane led resin-type demand with a 30.6% share in 2025, while epoxy adhesives ranked second, increasingly specified for battery pack bonding, electrical insulation, and thermal management in electric vehicles. The powertrain segment is projected to outpace all other application categories, growing at a 7.45% CAGR as manufacturers integrate adhesives into battery assembly and structural components.
Paintshop bonding of trim and glass ranks as second-largest application category
Paintshop operations, which use adhesives to attach exterior trim, badges, and glass components after coating without visible fasteners, held the second-largest application share by value in 2025. Suppliers are formulating products compatible with coated metals, composites, and painted substrates to meet demand from an expanding range of vehicle body designs.
Henkel, 3M, and Sika lead a market shifting toward high-value structural and battery adhesives
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, 3M Company, Sika AG, Arkema S.A., and H.B. Fuller Company hold the strongest market positions, alongside DuPont, PPG Industries, Huntsman International, Parker-Hannifin, and Illinois Tool Works. Niche players including DELO Industrial Adhesives, Master Bond, and Permabond are gaining ground in specialized segments. Investment is concentrating on structural adhesives, battery bonding technologies, and thermal management systems as automakers shift revenue away from conventional mechanical fastening toward higher-value bonding solutions for EV and lightweight-structure applications.