Fuel Resistant Sealant Market

Fuel Resistant Sealant Market Overview

Fuel resistant sealants exhibit sealing properties with resistance against fuel exposure. Consequently, these sealants are used on imperfect joints with poor flatness or large clearance in seal engineering and automotive applications.

Fuel resistant sealants can operate in a wide temperature range of temperatures (-40° to 260°C) and provide resistance against fluids, such as lubes, oil, gasoline, water and ethanol, along with protection from moisture and dust particles. After application on the substrate surface, a fuel resistant sealant transforms into a rubber-like elastic body.

These sealants are used in storage tanks with expected exposure to chemicals, such as gasoline, crude oil, and ethanol. A fuel resistant sealant must adhere to a movement capability specified by ASTM C 920 and a flammability range stated by UL flammability standards, with the capacity to resist adhesion loss due to fuel contact. Sealing products are highly reactive in nature and comprise epoxies, silicones, poly sulfides and polyurethanes.

The operating temperature range depends upon the substrate and chemical exposure, and requires prior testing to determine product adaptability with the substrate. The market is highly fragmented among big manufacturers with a global reach, and small players actively competing within the country or region.

The players with efficient sales networks offer an entire range of products, while small players generally focus on a niche segment of their own, depending upon major customer preferences.

Fuel Resistant Sealant Market: Drivers and Restraints

Market growth is driven by the demand for fuel storage and the requirement of fuel resistant sealants for effective performance of assets in the automotive sector. A fuel resistant sealant with no hold time provides instant strength, leading to increase in production and cost efficiency with improved quality and reduced cost for various applications.

The primary application of a fuel resistant sealant is to assemble and repair fuel lines, tanks, and joining components exposed to fuels and oils. The automobile sector has registered strong production in China and India, ultimately creating a positive impact on the demand for fuel resistant sealants. Light weight fuel resistant sealants have shown dramatic penetration in the market, with major applications in the aerospace sector.

The construction activity for storing fuels and the growing demand for sealants with better properties are anticipated to be major factors influencing growth of the fuel resistant sealant market in the coming years. A major limitation of fuel resistant sealants is the release of a small amount of acetic acid during the curing process.

If the byproducts are not allowed to vanish in open environment, they may cause corrosion on some metal substrates. Limited availability and high cost of raw materials, coupled with environmental concerns are major restraints to the growth of the fuel resistant sealing market. As a result, ecofriendly and low Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) have gained popularity in the recent past, and they’re expected to maintain this momentum in coming years.

Fuel Resistant Sealants Market: Region-Wise Outlook

The global fuel resistant sealant market can be segmented into seven key regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, and Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Japan and Middle East and Africa (MEA). The APEJ and Latin America are expected to witness strong growth in terms of market value over the forecast period, due to massive production of automobiles in the regions, specifically China, India, and Brazil.

North America and Europe are also forecasted to register steady growth, driven by emerging ecofriendly fuel resistant sealant products. This can be attributed to strict government regulations anticipated in the near future.

Fuel Resistant Sealants Market: Market Participants

Examples of some of the market participants in the global fuel resistant sealant market, identified across the value chain include:

• BASF
• The Dow Chemical Company
• 3M
• Dow Corning Corporation
• Lord Corporation
• Bostik, Inc.
• Sika AG
• Permatex
• MECS, Inc.
• PPG Industries, Inc.
• Hodgson Sealants
• Royal Adhesive & Sealants
• Tremco Sealants

The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain.

The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.

The report covers exhaustive analysis on

• Market Segments
• Market Dynamics
• Market Size
• Supply & Demand
• Current Trends/Issues/Challenges
• Competition & Companies involved
• Technology
• Value Chain

Regional analysis includes

• North America (U.S., Canada)
• Latin America (Mexico, Brazil, Argentina)
• Western Europe (Germany, Italy, U.K, Spain, France, Nordic, Rest of Western Europe)
• Eastern Europe (Russia, Poland)
• Asia Pacific (China, India, ASEAN, Australia & New Zealand)
• Japan
• Middle East and Africa (GCC, S. Africa, N. Africa)

The report is a compilation of first-hand information, qualitative and quantitative assessment by industry analysts, inputs from industry experts and industry participants across the value chain.

The report provides in-depth analysis of parent market trends, macro-economic indicators and governing factors along with market attractiveness as per segments. The report also maps the qualitative impact of various market factors on market segments and geographies.

Fuel Resistant Sealant Market: Segmentation

On the basis of resin type, the fuel resistant sealant market can be segmented as:

• Silicone
• Plastisol
• Polysulfide
• Polyurethane
• Other Synthetic & Semi-Synthetic Resins