Protein Glue Market

Protein Glue Market Outlook (2024 to 2034)

The global protein glue market will be valued at US$ 2,411.5 million by 2024 and has been forecasted to expand at a noteworthy CAGR of 6.5% to reach US$ 4,526.7 million by 2034. Liquid Protein glue will be worth around US$ 983.2 million in 2024 and account for a 65.4% share of the global market.

The global protein glue market is growing rapidly in light of its new application of natural proteins as adhesives in industries like food, pharmaceuticals, and packaging. The market is motivated by the increasing demand for more eco-friendly, biodegradable, and non-toxic adhesives aligned with the increased efforts at sustainability across industries.

Protein adhesives have excellent strength and are in greater demand where natural, nontoxic products are required, such as food packaging and medicinal applications. With environmental awareness regarding the harmful effects of synthetic adhesives, protein-based adhesives will find increased demand in the future.

Developments in the technology of protein extraction and processing have improved efficiency with a cost reduction that protein adhesives have reached a new dimension, enabling more industries to embrace these products.

The market is likely to grow further, mainly because of increased environmental regulations, increased consumer awareness of sustainable products, and pressure on greener manufacturing processes. This growing demand shifts towards natural adhesive solutions, and the protein glue market is poised for significant growth in the years to come.

Report Attributes	Details
Protein Glue Market Size (2023A)	US$ 2,254.8 Million
Estimated Market Value (2024E)	US$ 2,411.5 Million
Forecasted Market Value (2034F)	US$ 4,526.7 Million
Global Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	6.5% CAGR
East Asia Market Share (2024)	22.4 %
United States Market Growth Rate (2024-2034)	6.9% CAGR
Key Companies Profiled	Ace Adhesives; Adamant Adhesives; Australian Bio Adhesives; Beijing Shuanghe Adhesives Co.; Bollore Inc.; Cattie Adhesives; Chemence; Cornerstone Adhesives; EcoPhene; Foshan Shunde Protein Adhesive Factory; Franklin International; Gutenberg-Richter GmbH; Other Prominent Players.

Sales Analysis of Protein Glue (2019 to 2023) vs. Market Forecasts (2024 to 2034)

The value of the protein glue market was US$ 1,723.2 million in 2019 and it will increase to US$ 2,254.8 million by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 5.5%.

• Short Term (2024 to 2028): Between the years 2024 and 2028, the surging demand for environmental-friendly and biodegradable adhesives driven more by strict environmental regulations, sustainable practices, and increasingly stringent legislation is likely to gain impetus to the global protein glue market. Other drivers for the market include growing awareness of non-toxic and natural adhesives used in the packaging and food sectors along with technical innovations in the processing of proteins that make it easier to improve adhesive performance. Thus, there is increased effort in reducing the ecological effects of synthetic adhesives and thus further enhanced utilization of protein-based adhesives in many fields.
• Medium Term (2028 to 2030): Between the years 2028 and 2030, the global protein glue market is expected to grow due to the increasing regulatory pressure on the reduction of plastic waste and synthetic adhesives, especially in packaging and medical applications. Consumer preference for sustainable, biodegradable products will further support demand. Innovations in bio-based adhesive technologies and scaling up production of protein glue will support broader adoption across industries. Increased investment in green technologies and the circular economy will most likely push the industry towards natural, protein-based adhesives, thereby fueling market growth in this period.
• Long Term (2030 to 2034): During the period from 2030 to 2034, The global protein glue market will experience growth due to global mandates restricting the use of petrochemical-based adhesives, especially in Europe and Asia-Pacific. Innovations in bio-based adhesive performance are expected to drive the market forward as protein glues become more suitable for high-strength industrial applications like aerospace and heavy machinery. Emerging green building standards and an increasing corporate commitment to carbon neutrality will drive the demand for protein glues as companies seek renewable, biodegradable alternatives to traditional adhesives.

On the back of the aforementioned facts, the protein glue market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period from 2024-2034, according to the Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

Market Dynamics

What are the factors propelling global sales of protein glue?

“Protein glue is non-toxic, making it ideal for applications in food packaging and medical devices”

Protein glue, being non-toxic, is the most suitable option for industries whose safety and environmental considerations have to be taken into high regard. These include the food packaging and medical device industries. In food packaging, the application of non-toxic adhesives helps ensure that harmful chemicals are not leached into food products, which means maintaining a safe and compliant product in light of increasing consumer and regulatory body concerns over food-contact materials. Similarly, in medicine, protein glue is chosen because it is biocompatible.

This means it does not cause adverse reactions when used in medical devices or surgical applications. This is a natural composition that reduces the risk of toxic contamination and is safer compared to synthetic adhesives which may contain harmful chemicals. As industries move toward more sustainable and healthy practices, the non-toxic nature of protein glue will expand its use in sensitive applications and further enhance its role in producing safer products.

“Industries are transitioning toward bio-based materials, supporting the growing protein glue market”

Industries are increasingly shifting towards bio-based materials, mainly driven by growing environmental concerns and stricter regulation as well as consumer interest towards more sustainable products. Since petrochemical-based materials are very frequently polluting because of their non-biodegradable and carbon-intensive processes for manufacturing.

Protein glue is one of the critical bio-based materials, being sourced from natural origin which can act as a replacement. This has been environmentally friendly since it is biodegradable, renewable, and nontoxic compared to synthetic adhesives.

Various industries in the area of packaging, construction, and automobile use bio-based adhesives, like protein glue, for higher standards and enhanced green ratings. Advancements in biotechnology made these materials less costly and more versatile, promoting higher penetration rates. This is a trend toward bio-based solutions and one likely to persist, propelling the growth of the protein glue market as industries become more environmentally conscious.

What are the challenges encountered by the processing of protein glue?

“Limited shelf life requires careful inventory management and quick processing of raw materials”

Protein adhesives processing presents serious challenges, mainly because the product has a very short shelf life and requires proper inventory management and quick processing of raw materials. Because it is organic, protein adhesives are susceptible to degradation and tend to spoil easily, mainly because of changes in temperature or humidity.

Such perishable nature demands stringent storage and handling procedures that ensure quality, thereby usually translating into higher costs of operations. Protein adhesives are also sensitive to microbial growth. This may compromise the adhesive properties of the protein and make it unusable if the microbial growth is not promptly managed.

Manufacturers must keep the production facilities under strict conditions, and the processing and dispatch of the adhesive must be fast to avoid degradation. Thus, optimizing logistics, reducing storage time, and maintaining a steady supply chain for fresh protein glue components become critical for operational efficiency, raising both the financial and logistical burden of production and distribution in the adhesive industry.

Country-wise Insights

How are United States companies to meet the increasing demand for protein glue?

“Rising demand for protein glue enriched with marine-based nutrients.”

The market in the United States is estimated at US$ 256.5 million in 2024 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% through 2034. This market is projected to generate a US$ 245.1 million absolute opportunity from 2024 to 2034.

U.S. companies expand their manufacturing capacity to grow their protein glue market share by improving the production of protein glue. The industrial base is shifting towards the utilization of renewable natural-based material for the production of protein glue, with interest growing in green and environmentally friendly adhesives.

This is where plant expansions play a role in fulfilling growing demand through large-volume productions that can reduce lead times and ensure a steady supply for varied applications. It also allows firms to implement advanced technologies toward productivity and quality enhancement in manufacturing. American firms can gain control of their inventories, reduce production costs, and raise competitiveness at the global level by expanding their production structures.

These investments strengthen the local economies create jobs and encourage a shift towards environmentally friendly manufacturing processes that are consistent with global environmental objectives and consumer's demands for eco-friendly adhesive products.

How do Indonesian protein glue companies compete with larger global manufacturers?

“Building Strategic Partnerships to Expand Global Distribution Networks.”

Indonesian protein adhesives manufacturers increase export sales and expand their regional presence by leveraging competitive pricing in the surrounding Southeast Asian market. Since they utilize cost-effective local resources and streamlined production processes, Indonesian manufacturers offer protein adhesives at a price that most international competitors have not beat.

This pricing advantage attracts price-sensitive markets in Southeast Asia besides tapping regional preferences for sustainable, natural-based adhesives, which protein glue delivers. Besides this, the company is located in Indonesia near to Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam would ensure shipping cost savings and quicker delivery, thus making them more attractive exports.

They now benefit from regional trade agreements in which regional tariffs are removed and an Indonesian glue that is based on a protein source becomes even more attractive to firms looking at high-quality products that fit within their relatively modest expenditure budgets. Competition in prices, therefore, becomes a smart strategy for firms to seek and expand the market for protein glue among the other Southeast Asian players.

Category-wise Insights

What drives demand for plant-based glues?

“As the need for sustainable packaging increases, the use of plant-based adhesive solutions is also on the rise.”

The protein glue market, also known as the bio-adhesive market, is gaining a healthy rate mainly due to the rapid demand for sustainable packaging materials and green adhesives. The use of bioadhesives from plant-based adhesives such as soy, corn, or wheat glue has been rising because manufacturers and consumers prefer not to use petrochemical-based adhesives.

Other reasons these protein-based adhesives are being promoted include them being organic, that is sourced from renewable materials, and the resource, protein glue does not pose a danger to the environment.

The adoption of the market is strong across all industrial sectors, but there has been particular growth registered in packaging, woodworking, construction, and paper products. It is mainly due to the Asia Pacific region because of its increasing manufacturing base along with the tightening policies on environmental management.

Key market players also focus on reinforcing their research and development capabilities to enhance the properties of protein glues increasing their competitiveness with synthetic glues. It is also envisioned that other factors such as strict enforcement of more stringent environmental laws, increased public sensitization on sustainable products, and the adoption of a circular economy will contribute to growth in the market more conveniently in the near future.

“Lamination applications drive significant market growth across industries.”

The rise in the consumption of synthetic leather across regions will contribute to the growing demand for lamination applications across various end-user industries. Take soy, corn, and wheat-based adhesives for instance, which are fast becoming the greener options for synthetic adhesives. Bio-adhesives, as these plant materials glues are called, provide raw materials that are anteriorly biodegradable, are sourced from renewable sources, and hence do not harm, or rather cause less harm to the environment.

The lamination segment presents immense growth opportunities as protein bonding agents are extensively used in packaging, plywood, building materials, and also in paper-based products to achieve the adhesion of multiple elements. The other major regional market is Asia Pacific which is expected to register the fastest rate owing to its strong manufacturing base and also due to the presence of stringent environmental policies that encourage the use of safe products.

What is driving the increased demand for protein glue in the woodworking industry?

“Woodworking industry sees rising adoption of protein-based adhesives”

The woodworking industry is one of the major contributors to the high demand for protein-based adhesives in the global protein glue market. Manufacturers within the woodworking industry are increasingly turning to these environmentally friendly, biodegradable bonding agents for their products, owing to the growing focus on sustainable construction and furniture design.

Made from sources such as soy, corn, and wheat, protein glues are, by far, a better option than synthetic adhesives in terms of green building and circular economy considerations that the industry is on. More stringent regulations around sustainable materials usage have led to an even faster expansion of protein-based adhesives in the woodworking business.

Also, continuous research and development improve the performance characteristics of the protein adhesives such that they offer competition to synthetic adhesives.

This has resulted in the woodworking segment as the largest application area and helped in the growth of this global market for protein glues, especially in areas such as Asia-Pacific where more manufacturing and environmental regulations cause a shift towards more green adhesive solutions.

Competitive Landscape & Market Developments

• Beijing Shuanghe Adhesives Co.: In Dec 2023, Beijing Shuanghe announced a collaboration with regional universities to design new protein-based adhesives that meet international environmental standards. The partnership will create innovation and enhance the company's research capabilities in sustainable adhesive technologies.
• Ace Adhesives: In May 2022, To further enhance the accessibility of its protein-based adhesive products across various markets including construction and automotive sectors, Ace Adhesives broadened its distribution reach within North America.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of protein glue positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Protein Glue Market Research

• By Flavors Type :

  • Animal-based Protein Glues
    • Collagen-based adhesives
    • Hide glue
    • Fish glue
    • Casein adhesives
  • Plant-based Protein Glues
    • Soy-based adhesives
    • Other vegetable protein adhesives

• By Application :

  • Bonding
  • Lamination
  • Surface Finishing
  • Sizing
  • Coating

• By Grade :

  • Industrial Grade
  • Technical Grade
  • Food Grade

• By Form :

  • Liquid
  • Powder
  • Granular

• By End-Use Industry :

  • Woodworking
  • Packaging
  • Building & Construction
  • Bookbinding
  • Others

• Distribution Channel :

  • Direct Sales
    • Manufacturer to industrial users
    • Bulk supply contracts
  • Indirect Sales
    • Distributors
    • Retailers
    • Online channels

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa