Adhesives and sealants: Movement
Why glue is made near users but monomers travel far
What this tab covers How it moves between countries: share of output traded, physical form and transport, the largest exporters and importers, main routes, India's trade, and handling rules in transit.Trade in 2024 UN Comtrade, HS 350691
World exports $8.96 bn 118 reporting exporters · about 2.24 m t Largest exporter Germany 20.1% of world exports Largest importer China 19.4% of world imports India imports $156.0 mexports $77.1 m #14 importer · #21 exporter
Where it is exported from and imported to, 2024
Chart: World map of the largest trade flows
Exporter (size = share of world exports) Importer (share of world imports) Shipping chokepoint UN Comtrade 2024, HS 350691: shares of reported world exports and imports by value. Country-to-country route lines are not available for this commodity yet. Hover a circle for values.HS 350691: largest exporters
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany | 20.1% | $1.80 bn | 412k |
| China | 18.5% | $1.66 bn | 650k |
| United States | 12.9% | $1.15 bn | 149k |
| Italy | 5.8% | $517.2 m | 178k |
| South Korea | 5.2% | $462.6 m | 44k |
| France | 4.1% | $363.7 m | – |
| Switzerland | 3.3% | $296.3 m | 87k |
| Japan | 3.3% | $292.8 m | 27k |
HS 350691: largest importers
| Country | Share | Value (US$) | Tonnes |
|---|---|---|---|
| China | 19.4% | $1.58 bn | 129k |
| Germany | 7.7% | $627.5 m | 163k |
| United States | 6.3% | $515.7 m | 93k |
| Mexico | 5.5% | $452.2 m | 83k |
| Canada | 4.6% | $373.3 m | 67k |
| Poland | 4.3% | $353.4 m | 99k |
| France | 3.3% | $270.3 m | 78k |
| Hong Kong | 2.7% | $217.9 m | 16k |
How it moves
| Measure | Figure | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Share traded | small, probably under 15% of output (indicative, basis: most adhesives are formulated in the region of use; specialty and electronic adhesives travel further) | ||
| How it moves | Drums, pails, totes and consumer packs by road and container; hot melts as pellets or blocks. | ||
| Routes and chokepoints | Monomers (VAM, acrylates) move from the Gulf, China, Taiwan and the US Gulf Coast to South Asia; Hormuz and Red Sea routes matter for India's VAM imports. | ||
| India | . Pidilite exports were hit by Middle East tensions in Q4 FY26 (Indiantelevision). HS 350691: India imported $156 million (1.9% of world imports, rank 14) and exported $77 million (0.9% of world exports, rank 21) (UN Comtrade 2024). | ||
| Handling in transit | Solvent-borne adhesives: UN1133, class 3 flammable liquid; water-borne and hot melts are generally not regulated (indicative). |