High-performance adhesives are critical in truck and trailer body manufacturing. Building lightweight yet durable structures that withstand harsh weather and road conditions requires specialised adhesive technology. But even the best adhesives fail to deliver without one key ingredient: customisation. Discover how strategic collaboration between adhesive suppliers and heavy-duty vehicle body manufacturers transforms production efficiency and long-term reliability.
Key benefits at a glance
- Customised solutions: Adhesives tailored to unique materials, workflows, and processes.
- Enhanced performance: Stronger, better-performing adhesives through collaboration.
- Production efficiency: Seamless integration for smoother production and safer operations.
- Ongoing support: Testing, training, and fast adjustments to ensure quality.
- Sustainability focus: Bio-based adhesives that meet performance and environmental goals.
Adhesives as the backbone of truck and trailer body manufacturing
Modern truck and trailer bodies are far from simple. Their walls often consist of multi-layered sandwich structures combining plywood, insulation materials, and metal.
The challenge lies in how to effectively join these diverse materials together. Mechanical fasteners like screws often fail to provide uniform load distribution, which may compromise structural integrity and aesthetics.
Adhesives are a more effective solution. They distribute stress evenly across surfaces, eliminate thermal bridges, and help manufacturers meet growing demands for lighter and more energy-efficient builds.
“Increasing strength, reducing weight, and improving insulation are top priorities in today’s transportation industry,” says Kiilto’s RDI Manager Jussi Hänninen.
Meeting these priorities requires adhesive solutions that are not only high-performing but also highly adaptable.
“No two bonding scenarios are alike, and there’s no one-size-fits-all adhesive. Every solution must be carefully tested and tailored to the specific combination of materials and processes in use.”
Tailored solutions require deep collaboration
The real value lies in adhesive suppliers collaborating closely with truck and trailer body manufacturers. Understanding each manufacturer’s unique workflows, challenges, and materials enables developing adhesive solutions that integrate seamlessly into production.
For example, in cooperation with longtime partner VAK, a manufacturer of transport equipment solutions, Kiilto has tested and developed adhesives that make the bonding process quick, easy, and safe. The partnership focuses on finding the right adhesive for each application and continuously optimising production processes.
“As vehicles grow in size and complexity, and assembly lines operate at different paces, the demand for adhesives with longer open times has increased,” notes Elina Nieminen, Business Development Manager at Kiilto. “So it’s important to stay close to customers and adjust the adhesive formulations to fit their exact production environment.”
This collaborative approach extends beyond Finland, where Kiilto has secured a leading market position in industrial adhesives for the transport industry. With local warehouses and sales presence in several European markets, expert assistance is always nearby.
Adhesives customised to fit
Kiilto’s flexible production model allows rapid customisation. This includes fine-tuning the adhesive’s viscosity and overall rheological properties to ensure the adhesive flows smoothly through application equipment.
“Our production is adaptable, and we have a low threshold for customisation,” explains Nieminen. “With in-house R&D and technical knowledge, we can act fast when our customers need change.”
In addition to comprehensive product testing, periodic on-site testing is offered as a service to support the customer’s bonding process. This proactive approach is part of long-term partnerships, with testing schedules tailored to each customer’s needs.
More than just glue: testing, training, and hands-on support
The performance of an adhesive is only as good as the expertise behind it. That’s why it’s important to choose a supplier that can back its products with in-house lab testing, on-site training, and technical assistance.
“In an industry with few standardised tests, long experience in bonding and testing is invaluable,” says Hänninen. “At Kiilto, we conduct thorough lab tests using real client materials, followed by trial runs on-site, to ensure the adhesive performs exactly as it should before full production begins. Our tests include weathering and long-term durability tests, which help verify how the adhesive will hold up over time in real-world conditions.”
In addition, building strong relationships with the operators on the production floor allows their hands-on insights to be used in product development.
The supplier should also provide safety training, including mandatory training required for products containing isocyanate. Training ensures adherence with EU regulations and promotes safe chemical handling.
Building for tomorrow: bio-based and responsible adhesives
As transport fleets electrify and sustainability moves up the agenda, weight and emissions matter more than ever. Adhesives help reduce both, as they enable weight savings and improve insulation in comparison to mechanical fasteners.
Adhesives incorporating renewable ingredients are also increasingly valued in the industry. Kiilto’s Kestopur polyurethane adhesives already contain approximately 35% bio-based content, with more development underway.
“We’re focused on offering forward-looking options like bio-based materials,” says Hänninen. “It’s about staying ahead.”
Personalised support behind every delivery
With near 100% delivery reliability and a track record of consistent quality, Kiilto has become a trusted partner in heavy-duty vehicle body adhesives.
“We’re not just shipping products—we’re building relationships with the customers behind every order,” says Nieminen. “With us, manufacturers don’t have to settle for compromises because we can customise our solutions to fit their exact needs.”
Multiple quality checks guarantee that every product leaving the facility meets strict standards.
“Safety and testing are our number one priorities. We want to provide a tested solution, tailored specifically for your production line and materials. Performing adhesion tests is our assurance that the solution works. Above all, it’s about safety and peace of mind for the customer,” Nieminen concludes.
| Kiilto offers 2-component PUR adhesives for wall, ceiling and floor structures, adhesive sealants for sealing, installation, and fixing accessories, as well as primers and cleaners. Discover our solutions for the transportation industry here. |
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