Gum Rosin Market Analysis

Gum rosin plays a crucial role in enhancing the strength, plasticity, and viscosity of adhesives. It is commonly used as a concrete frothing agent and in floor-tiling adhesives. In various adhesive applications, rosin and its derivatives serve as tackifying agents. Examples of construction adhesives include contact adhesives, mastics, caulks, and sealants. When gum rosins are used in these adhesives, they dissolve in naphthenic oils and contribute to forming a stable emulsion. Rosin esters, esterified with pentaerythritol or glycerol based on tall oil rosin or gum rosin, are preferred due to their softening point, acid number, color, odor, and compatibility. These esters serve as suitable alternatives to products derived from petroleum or terpene feedstock.

In the formulation of rosin-terpene-phenol resins or rosin-phenol, gum rosins can be used by reacting with phenol and terpene-phenol resin in the presence of a Bronsted acid like sulfuric acid or sulfonic acid. These resins find application in the formulation of chloroprene contact cement. Contact cement often includes tackifiers and polymers, such as chloroprene polymer and thermoplastic rubber. Cement made from thermoplastic rubber may be solvent-based, while cement made from chloroprene polymer may be latex-based or solvent-based. Contact cement is widely utilized in automotive adhesives, construction adhesives, and laminating adhesives.

Looking at the global construction market, it is anticipated to grow from $6.4 trillion in 2020 to $14.4 trillion by 2030. Sub-Saharan Africa is expected to experience the highest construction growth regionally, followed by emerging Asia. Key contributors to global construction growth include China, India, the United States, and Indonesia, accounting for 58.3% of the total growth. Residential construction is expected to drive short-term recovery, while medium-term growth will be propelled by infrastructure spending. Urbanization is a significant factor in the growth of emerging markets, with projections indicating an addition of 2.5 billion people to urban areas by 2050, with a majority in Asia and Africa.

The construction industry heavily relies on government spending for global infrastructure development. The ability of governments to fund spending determines the level of investment. Despite this dependency, the long-term stable and index-linked returns from infrastructure projects align well with the needs of large superannuation funds. Consequently, the growth in the construction industry is likely to contribute to an increased demand for gum rosin in the market. The anticipated growth in construction activities worldwide creates a positive outlook for the gum rosin market due to its integral role in adhesive formulations essential for various construction applications.