How the Adhesive & Sealant Council Is Powering Innovation, Sustainability & Workforce Growth

Adhesion Matters

What if the future of electric vehicles, green buildings, even everyday packaging rested on something as deceptively simple as glue? In this episode of Adhesion Matters, we dive into the world of the Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC)—the influential North American trade association quietly driving innovation, education, advocacy, and sustainability across the adhesives industry.

What You’ll Discover:

• The Industry Backbone
  Founded in 1958, ASC represents over 75% of the U.S. adhesive and sealant value chain. Its multi-stakeholder membership includes manufacturers, material suppliers, equipment makers, and technical consultants—amplifying its industry-wide influence.
• Mission with Momentum
  More than an association, ASC accelerates growth through career education, collaborative innovation, shared market intelligence, and a unified voice that strengthens member businesses across dynamic sectors like automotive, packaging, and infrastructure.
• Strategic Priorities That Stick
  ASC’s long-range plan centers on three pillars:
  1. Advocacy – shaping policy and regulation across chemical safety, VOCs, PFAS, and beyond.
  2. End-User Engagement – aligning adhesives with evolving needs in EVs, construction, and packaging.
  3. Sustainability – championing greener chemistry, circular systems, and eco-minded innovation.
• Real-World Influence
  From awarding breakthrough technologies like fast-bonding, low-VOC adhesives, to enabling “debond-on-demand” for future recyclability, ASC actively drives the industry toward a smarter, cleaner future.
• Building the Industry's Workforce
  The ASC Training Academy is equipping professionals with deep adhesive knowledge—empowering over 800 graduates to lead within the sector through technical certifications and hands-on learning.
• Data, Community & Resilience
  ASC delivers essential market intelligence with annual reports, insight-packed events, peer networks, and scholarship programs that cultivate knowledge-sharing and prepare the industry for geopolitical or supply-chain shocks.

Why It Matters:

ACS isn’t just about glue—it’s the architect behind the materials quietly enabling modern life. From EVs and sustainable architecture to next-gen packaging, adhesives powered by ASC’s leadership are shaping the invisible infrastructure of our future.