The Future of Gaskets: Where Will Demand Grow Next?

As industries adopt advanced equipment, electronics, power systems, and new technologies, the components inside those products must also evolve to meet new demands.

Gaskets, seals, adhesive parts, insulators, thermal materials, and similar components might not stand out, but they play key roles in assemblies. These parts can provide sealing, insulation, cushioning, thermal management, vibration control, or protection from harsh environments, depending on their use. Industries like data centers, aerospace and defense, medical technology, and renewable energy are growing quickly. As they evolve, new equipment and systems are becoming more complex, increasing the need for custom components in these markets.

Data Centers & AI Infrastructure

The rapid rise of artificial intelligence is driving big investments in the infrastructure needed for computing, power, cooling, and data storage. The International Energy Agency (IEA) says data centers used around 485 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity worldwide in 2025, and this could nearly double to 950 TWh by 2030. This growth shows more than just server demand.

Building larger data centers also means adding power systems, cooling, electrical equipment, enclosures, controls, and more. As these facilities grow, manufacturers may need new components for sealing, insulation, cushioning, thermal management, vibration control, and protecting sensitive electronics. The exact materials and designs needed will depend on the equipment and its environment.

Aerospace & Defense

The aerospace and defense sector is seeing major investment in aircraft, defense systems, space technology, electronics, and support equipment. Global defense spending hit about $2.63 trillion in 2025, up from $2.48 trillion in 2024, according to the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). In 2025, the industry also passed $1 trillion in annual revenue for the first time, with commercial aircraft and defense orders at record levels.

To keep up with demand, manufacturers are adding more electronics, sensors, communications gear, power systems, and thermal-management systems. These trends mean more applications will need specialized sealing, insulation, shielding, cushioning, and thermal management components. In aerospace or defense projects, component needs can change a lot based on the environment, temperature, vibration, electrical demands, and other project details.

For manufacturers, the challenge is not just making more parts, but making components that fit the exact drawings, specs, materials, quality, and production needs of complex equipment. That is why custom converted components matter.

Medical Technology

Medical technology keeps advancing as healthcare adds more connected devices, sensors, electronics, and other smart equipment.

Changing demographics are also raising long-term healthcare needs. The World Health Organization expects the global population over 60 to grow from about 1 billion in 2020 to 1.4 billion by 2030. Meanwhile, medical devices are becoming more advanced, with more electronics, connectivity, sensors, and power systems.

These changes can create new needs for sealing, insulation, cushioning, thermal control, adhesion, and protection of sensitive electronics. For example, a component might isolate a section, create a barrier, cushion parts, manage heat, or hold materials together. The exact needs depend on the device and its use. Material choices, shape, environment, assembly method, size, quantity, and customer specs all affect how a component is made. As medical technology evolves, manufacturers may need more specialized parts for new devices.

Renewable Energy & Energy Storage

Renewable energy systems are expanding as more solar, wind, battery storage, power electronics, and grid equipment come online. The International Energy Agency expects global renewable power capacity to grow by about 4,600 gigawatts between 2025 and 2030—almost double the growth of the previous five years. Solar will make up nearly 80% of this increase.

Building this capacity takes physical equipment like solar and wind systems, batteries, enclosures, power electronics, controls, and other grid gear. Many of these work in tough environments with heat, moisture, dust, vibration, electrical isolation or insulation requirements, or outdoor conditions.

So, companies building equipment for these markets may need custom gaskets, seals, insulators, cushions, adhesive parts, and thermal materials. Whether a component is needed depends on the equipment and its use. Industry growth doesn’t always mean more demand for a specific part, but higher production and new requirements can create new opportunities.

What Does This Mean for Custom Converted Components?

Market growth alone does not determine whether a particular gasket, seal, adhesive-backed part, or other converted component will be needed. What matters is how the products within those markets are changing and what those changes require.

Adding more electronics can require new insulation or thermal solutions. New enclosure designs may need different seals. Making more products can change how parts are made. New ways of assembling may increase demand for adhesive or liner-backed pieces. For manufacturers in aerospace, medical tech, data centers, renewable energy, and other industries, these changes can mean new needs for components.

PGC makes custom gaskets, seals, spacers, insulators, adhesive-backed parts, thermal components, and other flexible parts based on customer designs and needs. Knowing the application, materials, shape, quantity, and production details helps PGC see if a part fits their capabilities.

Have an Active Component Project?

If you need a custom gasket, seal, adhesive part, insulator, spacer, or other flexible component, providing full project details helps us determine if we can make it.

Send your drawing, requirements, material specifications if available, and estimated quantity so PGC can evaluate your project and give you an accurate quote.