Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market

Introduction:

Tile adhesives and stone adhesives are two different types of adhesives used in construction projects. These adhesives are used to attach tiles and stones to various surfaces. They are known for their strength, durability, and flexibility. In this essay, we will discuss the properties, uses, and differences between tile adhesives and stone adhesives.

Properties of Tile Adhesives:

Tile adhesives are made from a combination of cement, sand, and polymers. They have a smooth texture and are available in different colors. They are water-resistant and have high bonding strength. Tile adhesives are also flexible and can withstand a certain amount of movement without cracking.

Uses of Tile Adhesives:

Tile adhesives are used to attach tiles to various surfaces such as walls, floors, and countertops. They are ideal for use in areas that are exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. They are also used in areas where there is heavy foot traffic, such as commercial spaces and public areas.

Properties of Stone Adhesives:

Stone adhesives are made from a combination of epoxy and hardeners. They have a thick texture and are available in different colors. They have a high bonding strength and are heat and water-resistant. Stone adhesives are also flexible and can withstand a certain amount of movement without cracking.

Uses of Stone Adhesives:

Stone adhesives are used to attach stones to various surfaces such as walls, floors, and countertops. They are ideal for use in areas that are exposed to moisture, such as bathrooms and kitchens. They are also used in areas where there is heavy foot traffic, such as commercial spaces and public areas. Stone adhesives are also used to repair and fill cracks in stones.

Differences between Tile Adhesives and Stone Adhesives:

The main difference between tile adhesives and stone adhesives is the materials used to make them. Tile adhesives are made from cement, sand, and polymers, while stone adhesives are made from epoxy and hardeners. Tile adhesives are ideal for attaching tiles, while stone adhesives are ideal for attaching stones. Stone adhesives have a thicker texture than tile adhesives and are better suited for repairing cracks in stones.

In conclusion, tile adhesives and stone adhesives are essential components in the construction industry. They are known for their strength, durability, and flexibility. While they share some similarities, they also have distinct properties and uses. Tile adhesives are ideal for attaching tiles, while stone adhesives are ideal for attaching stones and repairing cracks in stones. It is important to choose the right adhesive for the job to ensure a strong and long-lasting bond.

Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market Dynamics

Drivers in Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market

The growth in the global construction industry is a major driver of the tile adhesives and stone adhesives market. According to ICIS, the volume of the global construction industry is expected to increase by 35% to USD 5.8 trillion by 2030, with the US, China, and India being the main contributors to this growth. This surge in construction activity will fuel the demand for tile and stone adhesives in various construction applications. The Asia Pacific region is at the forefront of this growth due to the increasing number of residential, commercial, and institutional engineering projects in countries like China and India. The construction industry in ASEAN countries is expected to witness remarkable growth compared to the rest of the world, driving the demand for tile and stone adhesives globally. The market growth is also influenced by the rising demand for ceramic tiles for decorative purposes, innovations in the concept of thin tiles, and advancements in technology related to low VOC emitting products.

Despite being top users of ceramic tiles for flooring and building applications, countries like India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brazil, and Argentina utilize tile and stone adhesives in only 25%-30% of their construction projects due to a lack of awareness of the benefits of tile adhesives, less-known techniques of placing tiles using adhesives, and misunderstanding of their prices. In contrast, in regions like Europe and North America, where there is a high level of awareness of tile adhesives, demand is not as high as the majority of flooring space in these regions is occupied by carpets, rugs, and hardwood floors.

Challenge: Limited awareness of tile and stone adhesive usage in developing nations

While countries like India, Brazil, Malaysia, Indonesia, and Argentina are major consumers of ceramic tiles for wall and flooring applications, among other uses, only 25-30% of these projects incorporate tile and stone adhesives. This low adoption rate is attributed to the inadequate understanding of the benefits of these adhesives, the unfamiliarity with the installation process, and the misconception that they are expensive. In contrast, developed regions such as North America and Europe, where carpeting, rugs, and wooden floors dominate, have a high awareness of tile adhesives but a lower demand.

The Asia Pacific region's demand for tile and stone adhesives is growing due to the popularity of exotic stones like granite, marble, and vitrified ceramic tiles in high-end residential projects. In the Middle East, the usage rate of these adhesives is expected to increase from 70% to 100% over the forecast period due to the limited availability of basic raw materials such as sand and cement and the use of premium ceramic tiles and exotic stones. Extreme weather conditions in the region also damage grouting and loosen exterior stones and tile fittings, highlighting the importance of appropriate adhesives.

India represents significant potential for the tile and stone adhesives market. The current usage rate of adhesives in the country is only 20-25%, but this is expected to reach almost 50% in the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the increasing use of adhesives in high-end residential projects, commercial spaces like airports, metros, and shopping malls, and the hospitality industry's constant upgrades.

Opportunities in Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market

In recent times, there have been significant advancements in the production technologies of ceramic and porcelain tiles, resulting in the creation of thinner and larger tiles. This innovation has facilitated the creation of almost seamless surfaces, making them highly coveted in the architecture industry. Additionally, there has been an increasing demand for soundproofing and thermal insulation in buildings. As a result, conventional concrete substrates are being replaced with newer and more innovative materials such as gypsum boards, chipboards, plaster boards, cement fiber panels, metal surfaces, and heated floors. The development of new substrates, such as fiberglass and cementitious screed, for swimming pools has also given rise to the creation of new adhesives by major companies like Mapei S.p.A and Saint-Gobain Weber.

Challenges in Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market

However, established infrastructure in developed countries like the US, Germany, the UK, Japan, and other Western European nations poses a significant challenge for the tile and stone adhesives market. These countries already have a well-developed infrastructure for their public, commercial, and transportation sectors. As a result, there is limited scope for new construction activities, and the infrastructure built is intended to last for an extended period, leaving little room for growth in the tile and stone adhesives market. Nonetheless, the construction sector is expected to witness moderate growth in the next five years, which will inevitably drive the demand for tile and stone adhesives.

During the forecast period, the cementitious chemistry segment is predicted to experience the highest compound annual growth rate. The demand for cementitious adhesives is driven by their ability to bond large ceramic tiles on walls by blending high-quality polymers. Cementitious adhesives have numerous advantages, including their low cost, excellent adhesion properties, slip resistance, self-curing properties, and the ability to mix large quantities of material in a single batch. With the reduction in thickness and increase in size of ceramic tiles, along with the need for continuous surfaces with high architectural value, the demand for cementitious adhesives is projected to remain strong.

Similarly, the repairs and renovation segment is expected to grow at the same pace as the new construction market in the tile and stone adhesives industry. Major economies such as the US, Germany, Italy, and France are upgrading their infrastructure related to housing, airports, and metros. High-end hotels, which regularly update their flooring every five to eight years, are also becoming significant end-users of tile and stone adhesives. Additionally, there is an increase in demand for granite and exotic stones for renovations in high-end residential applications. European and North American countries, where carpets and rugs are prevalent, are also gradually shifting towards tiles as a preferred flooring option, which is expected to boost the repairs and renovation segment, thereby driving the demand for tile and stone adhesives.

The Asia Pacific region is expected to experience the highest Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in the tile & stone adhesives market during the forecast period. This is because ceramic tiles and natural stones like marble and granite dominate almost 60-70% of the flooring market in the region. The increasing awareness of the benefits of tile adhesives, including improved tile strength and slip resistance, as well as the availability of low VOC emitting products, are driving the growth of the market. Additionally, the region is experiencing a surge in residential construction activities in countries like Vietnam, Singapore, Malaysia, India, and China.

According to ICIS, the global construction industry is projected to grow by 35% to USD 5.9 trillion by 2030, with the United States, China, and India leading the way. This growth is expected to boost demand for tile and stone adhesives in various construction applications. The construction industry in Asia Pacific is at the forefront, with rapid growth in residential, commercial, and institutional engineering projects, particularly in China and India. The building sector in ASEAN countries is also projected to grow at a faster pace than in the rest of the world, further driving demand for tile and stone adhesives on a global scale.

Challenge: Middle East & Africa as a significant market for tile and stone adhesives

During the forecast period, Middle East & Africa is projected to hold the second-largest share of the global tile & stone adhesives market. The market study in the region includes Turkey, UAE, South Africa, and the rest of Middle East & Africa. The construction industry in this region is expanding rapidly, with countries competing to develop top-notch infrastructure to promote tourism and trade. The Middle East & Africa has a high construction rate, making it one of the largest markets for tile & stone adhesives.

Ceramic tiles dominate 75-80% of the floor coverings in the GCC countries, making them crucial to the tile & stone adhesives market. Leading global players have established manufacturing plants to cater to the growing demand for these adhesives in the region. Additionally, the market is driven by an increase in affordable housing projects, growth in the retail sector, rising tourism, and a growing population.

Numerous ongoing and planned projects in the residential, commercial, and institutional segments in Saudi Arabia and Qatar are expected to contribute to the region's tile & stone adhesives market growth.

Tiles are an essential component of home decor worldwide. With the advancements in ceramic tile production technology, the appearance and quality of ceramic tiles have undergone significant changes. As a result, there is an increased need for auxiliary materials such as appropriate adhesive between tiles and wall substrates. The ideal adhesive should possess high bond strength, dimensional stability, and resistance to fading and frost. Gypsum-based adhesives are suitable for installing a wide range of tiles, including ceramic tiles, vitrified tiles, and stone, in interior spaces.

Gypsum is an eco-friendly gelling substance that can regulate indoor humidity and improve the living environment due to its cemented porous structure. Additionally, the neutral pH of gypsum minimizes the occurrence of panning and other related phenomena. The dimensional stability of gypsum-based adhesive is superior to that of cement-based adhesive, making it compatible with vitrified bricks and stone materials. The global demand for gypsum-based tile adhesive is on the rise, driving the growth of the market.

Key Players in Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market

• ARDEX GROUP
• TERRACO GROUP
• SIKA AG
• SAINT-GOBAIN WEBER
• H.B. FULLER
• KALEKIM KIMYEVI MADDELER SANAYI VE TICARET A.ª.
• MAPEI S.P.A.
• FOSROC INTERNATIONAL LIMITED
• PIDILITE INDUSTRIES LIMITED
• LATICRETE INTERNATIONAL, INC.
• ARKEMA (BOSTIK)
• BASF SE
• 3M COMPANY
• HENKEL AG
• THE DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY
• CUSTOM BUILDING PRODUCTS
• CONSTRUCTION CHEMICALS PTY
• FLEXTILE LTD.
• NORCROS ADHESIVES
• MAGICRETE BUILDING SOLUTIONS
• PERMA CONSTRUCTION AIDS PRIVATE LIMITED

Recent Developments in Tile Adhesives & Stone Adhesives Market

The tile adhesives and stone adhesives market has witnessed several recent developments in terms of product innovations, partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions.

The tile adhesives and stone adhesives market has seen various developments recently. Berger Fosroc Ltd, a joint venture between Berger Paints Bangladesh and Fosroc International Ltd, established a construction chemicals factory in Bangladesh in March 2022 to meet the increasing domestic demand for construction chemical materials and solutions. In February 2022, Sika expanded its operations in Tanzania to provide locally produced mortars and tile adhesives in addition to concrete admixtures. The company also extended its site in Ivory Coast to double production capacities in tile adhesives and repair mortars while simultaneously increasing warehousing capacities. In August 2021, Sika acquired Bexel International S.A. de C.V., a leading manufacturer of tile adhesives and stuccos in Mexico, to strengthen its position in the large, fast-growing Mexican construction market. In February 2021, Laticrete launched a premium adhesive mortar for glass tiles and mosaic tiles that meets the highest standards for polymer-modified adhesives. Finally, Mapei South Africa expanded its range of C2 tile adhesives in January 2021 with a new addition to the Kerabond family called Kerabond Plus. This cementitious adhesive offers improved adhesion and extended open time, making it suitable for bonding all types of tiles and mosaic on internal and external substrates.

One major trend in the market is the shift towards environment-friendly products. Companies are focusing on developing adhesives that have low volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and are free from hazardous chemicals. For instance, Bostik launched its zero-VOC adhesive product, which is suitable for installing ceramic tiles and stone materials.

In addition, major players in the market are entering into strategic partnerships to expand their market presence and enhance their product portfolio. For instance, in 2021, Henkel Adhesive Technologies and Covestro AG entered into a partnership to develop new solutions for the adhesives market, including tile and stone adhesives. Similarly, in 2020, H.B. Fuller Company partnered with Covestro to develop a water-based adhesive for ceramic tile installation.

Mergers and acquisitions are also prevalent in the tile and stone adhesives market. For example, in 2021, Sika AG announced the acquisition of Kreps LLC, a manufacturer of tile adhesives and grouts based in Russia. Similarly, in 2020, Laticrete International acquired the remaining shares of Laticrete Australia Pty Ltd, a leading supplier of tile and stone installation systems.

Overall, these recent developments in the tile and stone adhesives market reflect the industry's focus on innovation and sustainability, as well as the growing demand for high-quality and efficient installation solutions.