The US-based Parson Adhesives is known globally for its wide range of high-performance engineering and structural adhesives and sealants. Banking on the potential of the Indian market, the company is developing new products and foraying into new application areas. Parson Adhesives is bullish on India and is planning to set up new factory in Vadodara (Gujarat). In this interview with Rakesh Rao, Bijay Nayak, Managing Director, Parson Adhesives India Pvt Ltd, highlights on the new developments in the adhesive markets and the company's growth strategy for India.

How is Parson Adhesives serving the industry? Also, brief us about the company's business in India?
Parson Adhesives India Pvt Ltd is the Business Unit of Parson Adhesives, Inc, USA. Parson Adhesives is one of the leading manufacturers of wide range of high-performance engineering and structural adhesives and sealants. Parson range of adhesives are currently used by many of large companies in USA, Germany, France, Italy, UK, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, China, Taiwan and India; and has presence in 54 countries.

Parson Adhesives is one among few companies who has different types of high-performance engineering & structural adhesive technologies. Those are anaerobic, cyanoacrylate, acrylic & methacrylate, epoxy, polyurethane, UV curable adhesives, silicone and special polymer based sealants. Our research scientists work tirelessly for evolving newer products to meet application challenges. Looking beyond the future, our technical team works continuously to produce innovative adhesive products to meet wide range of applications. Efforts still continue to develop new polymers to exceed the ever-increasing requirements of market developments in exotic new materials.

Parson Adhesives is growing globally and in India, increasing presence in various industrial segments and application every year. Parson’s R&D team is involved in developing different adhesives and sealants solutions for industries after identifying their concern areas. Parson Adhesives India has planned a manufacturing facility at Vadodara and expanding business by 200% in 2022.

How was the demand for adhesives in 2021? What is your expectation in 2022?
The demand for adhesives in 2021 was sustainable for company as compare to the previous year with development of new customers and increase in consumption of regular customers. We are focusing on new segment for industrial adhesives & sealants. We are expecting 200% rise in year 2022.

In addition, growth of defence manufacturing in the country is likely to create opportunities for the market’s growth in the future. Adhesives and sealants have been extensively used in the building and construction industry too. Construction is one of the largest sectors in the country, and it is growing at a healthy rate, owing to the rising population in India.

Additionally, we also see an increase in demand for engineering adhesives due to growth in industrial outputs in India. The adhesives market growth in India is particularly strong, driven by modern technology, smart innovation, demographic shifts and exposure to advanced technology.

What is your research focus at present? Are you working on any new products?
Being pioneer in adhesives technologies, we are focusing in new segment like railways (mass transportation) and wind mills for our structural adhesive products. We are also developing economical range of epoxy for sand wiz panel assembly, single part epoxy for needle bonding etc in India. We are also focusing to develop new distributors for key customers in India to promote our products. We have planned to set up new factory in Vadodara (Gujarat) for easy proximity and looking to Make in India conceptualisation.

Which end-user industries are driving the demand for adhesives?
Parson Adhesives provides value-added solutions with effective cost reduction in process without compromising the quality and complying the international standards as per customer demand. As explained, all major industries having assembly lines or manufacturing line are the users of adhesives and sealants. These include automotive, renewable energy specially wind mill and solar mounting, engineering, oil & gas, electronics, machine manufacturers, medical devices manufacturers, marine, aerospace, defence, sporting goods, display & sign board, railways, plastic & metal fabrication, composite component manufacturers, bath fitting industry, general assembly, etc.

With demand for light weighting increasing in the auto industry, are you seeing consumption of adhesives growing in the auto sector?
With the desire to reduce weight of vehicles, OEMs have significantly changed the mix of materials used in their body structures. Structural adhesives have been a significant enabling technology in this industry. Structural adhesives have provided a solution to seal the gaps, reduce the noise, vibration and harshness. As a result, manufacturers have been able to produce higher performing and efficient and quieter vehicle, while at the same time reducing the weight. Greater number of multi-metal and multi-material vehicle rely on adhesives as joining technology. When manufacturers put the highest premium on weight saving, carbon fibre composites are selected. Since composite materials cannot be welded, structural adhesives are relied upon. Adhesives that provided strong, durable and reliable bonds of dissimilar materials are enabling innovative approach to vehicles weight reduction today and would be more important in future.

Light electronic components and other new products development will open up the opportunities for adhesives and sealants. There will be exploration of newer markets and assemblies where adhesives will give an edge and value-added performance.

Sustainability seems to be a buzzword in the industry. How is your company supporting this trend?
There are multiple and interconnected drivers in the business environment that require major changes on a global and local level. Most of the global manufacturing leaders are relatively resilient enough to shift their production strategy to pandemic-based requirements. The Indian government is aiming to boost their self-reliance in the manufacturing sector and extending their support to the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through various financial and non-financial incentives.

We, at Parson Adhesives, have identified and are focusing on some of new potential areas. Our intend is to establish new business, solve problems, provide consistent, reliable performance and surpass customer expectations.

Could you please share with us some of your latest offerings for the industry? Any new launches in the offing?
There are many types of adhesives available today. When we talk about structural adhesives, it means adhesives, that is used to create a structural bonding. Methyl Methacrylate Adhesives (MMAs) are structural adhesives that have been developed to bond metals, plastics, and composites. They are designed with toughness, flexibility, excellent strength, impact resistance, thermal shock, fatigue resistance and high peel strength.

Single part epoxy (1K), single part (1K) polyurethane adhesives and hybrid polymers accounted for the largest market share in the country’s adhesives market, with these adhesives being mainly used in automobile and construction sectors. High thermoplastic and adhesion property, especially with metal substrates; good electrical insulation; high elasticity; strong resistance against chemicals and moisture make 1K polyurethane and hybrid polymer adhesives extremely suitable for use in heavy industries.

Which are the emerging technology trends in the adhesives industry?
Majority of adhesive manufacturers are located in Europe. But the demand is high in Asia-Pacific. The producers in North America and Europe are continuously adopting acquisition strategy to strengthen their positions. Rapid growth of construction industries, especially in emerging economies like China and India, is expected to create growth in adhesives industries.

Further, the demand might increase due to growth in renewable, infrastructure, medical equipment and allied products, railways and metro coach building, construction, electronics and defence sectors.

What are your growth plans in India?
At Parson Adhesives, we are building on a strong foundation for the future with innovative technologies, through highly dedicated team as well as high cash generation capabilities and sales growth by 200%. In order to further strengthen the competitive edge, Parson Adhesives will focus on accelerating impactful innovations, boosting sustainability as a differentiating factor into a customer value creator.

In addition, we are working to reduce the delivery cost, exploring sales cost reduction, accelerate development and introduction of new products, increase market share, increase profitability, increase sales closing and strong focus on new product development. Planning for a re-location to a larger space.

Last but not least, we need to upgrade our sales and marketing staffs’ skills to match their capabilities with the technology-driven strategy to create an win-win situation in 2022 and beyond.

For more details, contact Parson Adhesives India Pvt Ltd on email: sales@parsonadhesives.in or visit: www.parsonadhesives.in