Adhesives & sealants
Part of the Chemicals & Pharmaceuticals sector
Adhesives and sealants are chemical products used to bond materials together or to close gaps against air, water and dust. This hub explains the main types and how to find and compare verified suppliers on Digibition. This is general information, not legal, medical, safety, or regulatory advice.
Looking to source in this sector, or want your company to appear here? Browse the directory or list your company.
Overview
Adhesives are products that join two surfaces by forming a bond between them, while sealants fill and close joints or gaps to keep out air, moisture or contaminants. Many products do both. The category spans chemistries such as epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, cyanoacrylate and hot-melt systems, in one- and two-component forms.
A product is defined by its chemistry, the materials it is designed to bond or seal, its cure mechanism and service conditions, and the documentation that accompanies it. As formulated chemical products they carry a safety data sheet (SDS) and hazard information, and some contents may be restricted in certain markets.
On Digibition, manufacturers, formulators and distributors of adhesives and sealants publish verified profiles, so professional buyers can discover and compare them by specialization and country. Classification and compliance requirements vary by jurisdiction and must be confirmed with the supplier and the relevant authorities.
What to check when sourcing
When you source adhesives and sealants, the fundamentals are fitness for purpose, documentation and compliant supply. Confirm the product against the substrates, cure conditions and service environment you need, and obtain the technical data sheet and a current safety data sheet for each item. Hazard classification regimes such as CLP in some markets are examples of what may apply, depending on the product and where it is supplied.
Beyond the chemistry, weigh packaging and container size, shelf life and storage conditions (some products are temperature-sensitive), hazard class and transport rules such as ADR for dangerous goods where applicable. Keep traceability of batches and confirm the documentation your market requires.
Use the directory to shortlist suppliers by specialization and country, then contact several, request the data sheets, and verify compliance with the competent authorities before you commit. This is general information, not legal, medical, safety, or regulatory advice.
What to check when sourcing adhesives & sealants
| Criterion | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Fitness for purpose | Product matched to your substrates, cure and service conditions |
| Technical data | A data sheet with bond strength, cure time and working conditions |
| Safety data sheet | A current SDS supplied for every product |
| Shelf life & storage | Storage conditions and shelf life; some systems are temperature-sensitive |
| Transport | Hazard class and ADR handling where applicable |
| Traceability | Batch identification and certificates on request |
Frequently asked questions
- What is the difference between an adhesive and a sealant?
- An adhesive is designed primarily to bond two surfaces together and carry load, while a sealant is designed primarily to fill a joint or gap and keep out air, moisture or contaminants. Many products combine both functions. Always follow the technical and safety data sheets; this is general information, not technical advice.
- What chemistries do adhesives and sealants use?
- Common chemistries include epoxy, polyurethane, acrylic, silicone, cyanoacrylate and hot-melt systems, available in one- and two-component forms. Each has different bonding, cure and handling characteristics and is suited to different materials and conditions.
- How do I find adhesive and sealant suppliers?
- Use the Digibition directory to filter by this specialization and by country, then open each company profile to review its products, certifications and specializations. You can message suppliers directly, or add several to a quote list and request quotes from all of them at once.
- How should adhesives and sealants be stored?
- Storage conditions and shelf life vary by product; some systems are sensitive to temperature or humidity, and expired product may not perform as specified. Always follow the manufacturer technical and safety data sheets. This is general information, not legal, medical, safety, or regulatory advice.
- Are adhesives and sealants regulated for transport?
- Some products are classified as hazardous and subject to transport rules such as ADR for road transport where applicable, along with specific storage requirements. Whether this applies depends on the product and jurisdiction; confirm with your supplier and the relevant authorities. This is general information, not legal, medical, safety, or regulatory advice.
Looking to source in this sector, or want your company to appear here? Browse the directory or list your company.
Important notice
This page is general industry information published by Digibition for educational purposes only. It is not legal, financial, tax, customs, regulatory, or other professional advice, and it is not a substitute for advice from a qualified professional. Standards, certifications, duties, taxes, and regulatory requirements differ between countries and markets and change over time; nothing here is guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current. Verify any requirement independently with a qualified adviser and the relevant competent authority before you act. Digibition is an online company directory and digital-fair platform; it is not a party to any transaction between users and does not endorse, guarantee, or accept responsibility for any third-party company, product, claim, or certification. A company being reviewed or approved for listing refers only to Digibition's internal listing review and is not a warranty of that company's quality, legality, solvency, or performance. Any mention of specific standards or certifications is illustrative and is not an endorsement or a statement of compliance. To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, Digibition accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from reliance on this page; any reliance is at your own risk.