Since 2008, GLUKON has been offering spray contact adhesives under the brand name GLUKON® for both the industrial and craft sectors. Since then, the GLUKON® brand has firmly established itself in the market through high-quality products, product innovations, and expert technical consultation.
A brief description of the company and its activities.
A distinguishing feature of our company is the breadth of our certifications. We place great importance on emission protection, fire safety, and eliminating health hazards.
Since 2016, our company headquarters, complete with an integrated hazardous materials warehouse, has been conveniently located directly off the motorway A7 in Dätgen near Neumünster, Northern Germany. From this location, we manage the Europe-wide distribution and shipping of high-quality spray contact adhesives. We distribute our products through specialized dealers in their respective sectors.
What are the main areas of activity of the company?
We continuously develop adhesives for various applications. Our GLUKON® system forms the basis of our adhesives due to its highly efficient application method. Applying the adhesive with a spray gun and pressure container is fast, with a very short flash off time and a long open time. This enables quick and flexible processes in production.
In the area of customer consultation, we place great emphasis on the professional background of our field representatives. Therefore, all our technical advisors have one or more completed training programs in fields such as automotive, interior design/flooring, woodworking, metalworking, and further education in adhesive technology.
What’s the news about new products/services?
GLUKON® offers four spray adhesives specially developed for shipbuilding. Quick and easy to use, these MED-certified adhesives are versatile and provide a strong and durable bond for a wide variety of materials, such as metal, wood, plastic, rubber, foam or insulation.
Insulation is an important area in construction, too, as it contributes to heat, cold, sound and fire insulation. Contact spray adhesives are an indispensable component in the field of WKSB insulation to ensure that materials such as insulating foam, foils and insulating materials are fastened quickly and effectively. In this context, our GLUKON® prime is a high-quality contact spray adhesive that is particularly well suited for insulation purposes.
What are the ranges of products/services?
The applications of the GLUKON® adhesive range are universal. Detailed information is available for user groups such as carpenters, floor layers, interior designers, orthopedics, WKSB (thermal and cold insulation), marine, composites, agriculture, and roofers.
Additionally, we offer processors the opportunity to test their specific materials for compatibility and adhesive strength in our in-house laboratory. Combined with aging tests that can simulate 5 years of aging in just 40 days, we build trust in the bonding for our processors’ often costly projects.
Depending on the application and environment, factors such as heat resistance, solids content, and fire safety certification play a crucial role.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
With our wide range of adhesives, we serve various markets. While we have seen slight declines in some sectors, such as construction, carpentry, and orthopedic technology, these have been well compensated by stronger sales growth in industries like composites, agriculture, and marine.
What can you tell us about market trends?
Our adhesives are applied to the bonding surfaces using solvents. These solvents evaporate quickly and are ultimately no longer present in the bonded joint. While there is a growing trend towards solvent-free adhesives, it is one that can only be implemented in a few industries. Processes involving water-based adhesives are relatively time-consuming and, most importantly, do not achieve the desired bond strength compared to solvent-based adhesives.
GLUKON already offers adhesives that still contain solvents but are better tolerated by humans and the environment.
What are the most innovative products/services marketed?
All our adhesives are innovative, thanks to the pioneering GLUKON® application system. Combined with our extensively certified adhesives, there are always new possibilities to discover.
Our adhesives are used in a wide range of applications, from fiber-reinforced plastic for manure and water tanks to X-ray tables, shoe insoles, silage films, and even cruise ships.
What estimations do you have for 2024?
We expect that the weakening markets will stabilize somewhat this year and next. The caution exhibited by many end customers, especially regarding the construction and furnishing of properties, is diminishing. The desire and goal to own and live in one’s own property remain strong. Interest rates and construction costs have already stabilized, allowing people to plan accordingly. Waiting is not a solution, as building has never become cheaper in the long run.
In other areas, we must wait for political decisions in Germany and Europe, which are currently having a significant impact on economic development. How the markets continue to develop will greatly depend on these decisions.