The industrial gasket market - France

Seals are essential to guarantee the tightness of mechanical connections used to transport fluids, and are therefore particularly present in piping systems, pumps and turbines. Their importance lies at the level of the fittings, whether fixed or mobile, and they guarantee the smooth operation and safety of a wide range of equipment and machines. Manufacturing processes therefore call for high-precision mechanisms and special know-how: the sector therefore requires a high level of technical expertise. There are many different types of seal, differing from one another in shape, material, size and, of course, use. Seals are often metal-plastic. The material must be able to withstand the pressure and temperature differences of the fluid in question, as well as its chemical composition. While there are simple seal systems, others can be far more sophisticated, enabling wear to be monitored remotely, for example. In addition, there are other similar systems for guaranteeing sealing in certain specific cases: such as mechanical seals and sealing rings . The French market for industrial seals was worth almost €59 million in 2020. The main fields of application for industrial seals can be grouped into several segments:

Transport (Automotive / Rail / Aeronautics / Space / Naval / Agricultural machinery & construction) energy (Nuclear / Wind / Hydraulic) Medical / Biochemical Food Metallurgy / Iron & Steel Chemicals / Petrochemicals household appliances Industrial machinery

As each type of application does not require the same type of seals and the same requirements, players tend to specialize in certain segments to meet specific customer needs.worldwide, the market has experienced strong growth in recent years, driven by the petrochemical and energy sectors in particular. Major players include Germany's ErlingKlinger, Sweden's Trelleborg and the USA's Flexitallic. These include global players such as ErlingKlinger and Trelleborg, as well as French players such as Techné, France-Joint and Eriks France. The growing importance attached to sustainable development is a buoyant segment for the seals sector, as seals help to save energy and prevent the leakage of harmful substances. What's more, manufacturers have to keep pace with their customers' production and adapt to their demands. The sector therefore requires substantial R&D investment and innovation to keep pace with new production challenges.