2026 Henkel's Insight into the Frontiers of the Adhesive Industry: Material Innovation Drives the Green and Intelligent Upgrading of the Industry
As the global leader in the adhesive industry, Henkel Adhesive Technologies continues to rely on core brands such as Loctite, Teroson, BERGQUIST, and Technomelt, closely following the transformations in four major sectors: new energy vehicles, semiconductor electronics, high-end manufacturing, and green packaging. Combining the new product iterations, technological routes, and market trends from 2025 to 2026, this article outlines the latest industry development directions for Henkel adhesives, helping manufacturing enterprises seize the opportunities for upgrading bonding materials.
1. Major Trends in Industry Development: Currently, the global industrial adhesive market exhibits three main trends: sustainable low-carbon formulations, high-performance multifunctional integration, and compatibility with automated intelligent manufacturing. Traditional single-purpose adhesive glues are gradually being phased out, and manufacturers are increasingly demanding composite materials that combine bonding, thermal conductivity, sealing, shock absorption, flame retardancy, and recyclability. Meanwhile, as environmental regulations tighten globally, low VOC, silicone-free, bio-based, and recyclable adhesives have become mandatory criteria for product selection.
Against this backdrop, Henkel has fully shifted its research and development focus to the two high-growth sectors of new energy and high-end electronics, continuously implementing localized research and development. Relying on the Shanghai Asia-Pacific Innovation Experience Center, it tailors adhesive solutions to meet the needs of the Chinese market.
II. Key Track: Developments of High-tech Industries and Star Products in Hanzhong
(1) New energy vehicle power batteries: Thermal management adhesive solutions are undergoing iteration (2026 blockbuster new product). Power batteries are evolving towards high energy density, fast charging, and Cell-to-Pack solutions, making thermal conductive bonding materials and gap filling materials the core of battery safety and temperature control.
Bergquist TGF 2030APS Silicone-Free Two-Component Thermal Conductive Gap Filler
Thermal conductivity of 1.7W/m・K, with a silicon-free formula to eliminate silicon contamination, suitable for precision battery modules; dispensing speed up to 40cc/s or more, room temperature curing, significantly reducing energy consumption in the production line; low compressive stress, avoiding damage during cell assembly, suitable for large-scale automated production lines.
Loctite TLB 9270APS polyurethane thermal conductive structural adhesive
Thermal conductivity of 2W/m·K, integrating structural bonding and thermal insulation, compatible with aluminum substrates and PET films, specifically designed for CTC/CTP battery packs, balancing structural strength and heat dissipation requirements.
Teroson EP 52 damping structural adhesive
Industry-innovative integrated products achieve both body structure bonding and vibration damping, eliminating the need for additional damping sheets and simplifying the entire vehicle manufacturing process. They are compatible with automated welding production lines for body-in-white.
Technomelt PUR 6260 ECO: Bio-based Hot Melt Adhesive for Automotive Interiors
With ≥60% renewable/recycled raw materials, the carbon footprint is reduced by 40% compared to traditional products; the construction temperature is lowered by 15℃, saving energy consumption in the production line, making it suitable for composite bonding of central control consoles and door panel interiors.
(2) Semiconductors, consumer electronics, and AI computing hardware: Advanced packaging materials continue to make breakthroughs in AI chips, 2.5D/3D packaging, and automotive electronics, driving demand for high-end electronic adhesives. Henkel focuses on low-warpage, fine-pitch, and high-reliability packaging materials:
Introducing Loctite Eccobond LCM 1000AG-1, an anhydride-free liquid encapsulation material suitable for wafer-level and panel-level packaging. It effectively suppresses chip warpage and meets the requirements for ultra-fine gap filling;
Specialized for in-car displays, Loctite MS 9650 silane-modified polymer adhesive is free of isocyanate and PVC, with low VOC content. It is UV-resistant and creep-resistant, effectively solving the problem of large screens detaching due to long-term vibration;
Bio-based PUR hot melt adhesive, used in the assembly of smart devices, boasts a renewable raw material content of approximately 65%, making it a rare green and high-performance bonding solution in the consumer electronics industry.
(III) Sustainable green adhesives: bio-based, low-temperature processing, and recyclability have become standard features. Low-carbon recycling is the core strategy of HanGao in the medium and long term. To achieve the 2030 sustainable development goals, multiple product lines have launched the ECO environmental protection series:
Biobased hot melt adhesive Technomelt Supra 079 Eco Cool Bio
With a biobased content of ≥49%, the sizing temperature can be reduced by up to 40℃. Its use in the packaging industry can significantly reduce factory energy consumption and decrease flue gas emissions;
Dedicated recyclable packaging AQUENCE water-based adhesive addresses the industry pain point of difficulty in separating and recycling after soft packaging lamination;
Engineered wood structure Loctite HB S ECO bio-based structural adhesive, zero formaldehyde, empowering green prefabricated buildings.
Core technology direction: Instead of solely focusing on bonding strength, we will simultaneously consider the carbon footprint of products, production energy consumption, and material recycling compatibility, to assist enterprises in meeting ESG and export carbon certification requirements.
(4) General industrial equipment and rail transit: Lightweight bonding alternatives to traditional fasteners. More and more manufacturers are using adhesives to replace rivets and welding, achieving lightweight, corrosion resistance, and uniform stress distribution. Henkel Loctite thread locking, flat sealing, and epoxy structural adhesives continue to optimize temperature and medium resistance formulations; MS modified silane and two-component polyurethane systems achieve reliable bonding of dissimilar materials (metal - plastic - composite materials).
