The European market for pressure-sensitive adhesives continues to grow due to the new use of existing pressure-sensitive adhesives and the development of new uses of newly formulated pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Sales of $876 million and 293.2 KT in 1996 are forecast to grow by 3.1 % and 3.9 % in 2003, respectively. The application of solvent type pressure sensitive adhesive decreases year by year, while hot melt type and radiation curing type pressure sensitive adhesive rise. Styrene block copolymer hot melt adhesive is economically advantageous because of its fast production speed and low factory investment.

Radiation curing pressure sensitive adhesive growth fastest, but the output is still the smallest. European sales of pressure sensitive adhesives are expected to reach $1,081 million in 2003. Research, development and new market of pressure sensitive adhesive are the main driving force for the development of pressure sensitive adhesive.