Citifix Footwear Adhesive vs Competitors: Performance Comparison 2026

Choosing the right footwear adhesive affects bond strength, production efficiency, manufacturing costs, and long-term product durability. This comparison examines Citifix footwear adhesives alongside major competitors including Fevicol and Bostik, helping manufacturers select suitable adhesive systems for different footwear materials and production requirements.

Who Should Consider Citifix Footwear Adhesives?

Citifix adhesive systems are suitable for:

Footwear manufacturers
Safety shoe manufacturers
Sports shoe factories
EVA slipper manufacturers
Leather footwear manufacturers
OEM footwear suppliers

The Footwear Adhesive Market in India

The Indian adhesives market is projected to grow from US$ 2.33 billion in 2024 to US$ 4.29 billion by 2033

2.33billionin2024toUS 4.29 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 7.03%. The footwear, foam and furnishing, construction, and furniture industries are all growing well, creating sustained demand for high-quality adhesives.

The global footwear adhesives market is projected to grow from USD 3.47 billion in 2025 to USD 4.97 billion by 2035. This growth reflects increasing demand for durable, lightweight, and eco-friendly footwear. According to the World Footwear Yearbook , India is the second-largest footwear producer globally, accounting for 11.6% of global footwear production.

For Indian manufacturers, the choice of adhesive supplier affects production efficiency, product quality, and regulatory compliance. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has established IS 4663:1968 – Specification for permanent rubber-based adhesives for the footwear industry, which prescribes the requirements and methods of sampling and test for permanent rubber-based adhesives used in the footwear industry.

According to Research and Markets , the Indian footwear retail market recorded revenues of $12.69 billion in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6% between 2019 and 2024. The footwear sector is a key driver of the broader adhesives market growth.

Why Adhesive Selection Matters in Footwear Manufacturing

In modern footwear manufacturing, adhesives are used in nearly every production stage:

Application Description Sole Bonding Attaching rubber, PU, PVC, TPR, or EVA soles to uppers Upper Assembly Bonding leather, synthetic, and fabric upper components Insole Attachment Securing insoles and footbeds Component Assembly Bonding trims, decorations, and structural elements

Adhesive performance depends on several factors:

Surface preparation
Substrate compatibility
Open time before bonding
Application temperature
Bonding pressure
Final curing conditions

Different adhesive systems may require different application procedures, so manufacturers should always refer to the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before production.

Citifix Footwear Adhesive Product Range

Citifix offers synthetic rubber and polyurethane adhesive systems for footwear manufacturing. With over 32 years of manufacturing experience, the company produces adhesives for wood, footwear, leather, and foam industries.

Citifix Synthetic Rubber Adhesives

Product Type Key Features Typical Applications Packaging SR 900 Synthetic Rubber Multi-purpose contact adhesive Sole bonding, component assembly 500ml, 1L, 5L, 25L SR 900 FW Synthetic Rubber Footwear-specific formulation Sole bonding, structural assembly 5L, 25L

Citifix SR 900 is a dark brown, synthetic rubber-based contact adhesive suitable for bonding rubber, leather, EVA, rexine, wood, laminate, FRP, painted MS, foam and canvas. It is a multi-purpose adhesive commonly used for sole bonding and component assembly in footwear manufacturing.

Citifix Polyurethane Adhesives

Product Type Key Features Typical Applications Packaging PU-1010 Polyurethane Low viscosity, affordable Upper to sole bonding 5L, 25L PU-2020 Polyurethane Medium viscosity Upper to sole bonding 5L, 25L PU-3030 Polyurethane Moderate viscosity Upper to sole bonding 5L, 25L

Citifix PU-1010 is a low viscosity solvent-based polyurethane adhesive that provides a strong, durable bond with synthetic substrates such as PVC, PU, EVA, TPR and leather. PU-2020 is a medium viscosity solvent-based polyurethane adhesive, and PU-3030 is a moderate-viscosity solvent-based polyurethane adhesive. All three are intended for upper to sole bonding in footwear manufacturing.

Citifix Primer Systems

Product Type Key Features Typical Applications Packaging TPR-1116 Primer Two-component (powder + solvent) TPR/Rubber sole primer Solvent: 1L, 25L; Powder: 25g TPR-1112 Primer Two-component (powder + solvent) TPR/Rubber sole primer Solvent: 1L, 25L; Powder: 25g

Citifix TPR-1116 and TPR-1112 are two-component primer systems consisting of powder and solvent, used as a primer for TPR/Rubber soles in footwear manufacturing.

Recommendation Table: Which Product Should You Choose?

If You Need Recommended Product EVA bonding SR 500 FW Leather uppers SR 900 FW Rubber bonding SR 900 PU soles PU-1010 / PU-2020 / PU-3030 High heat applications Heatfix-1 TPR soles TPR-1116 + suitable adhesive

Competitor Products in the Indian Market

Pidilite / Fevicol

Pidilite Industries is a major player in the Indian adhesive market, offering a range of footwear adhesives under the Fevicol brand. Pidilite is the first Indian company to introduce VOC-free adhesives for footwear and leather goods. Their product range includes PU adhesives, SR adhesives, water-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives, hardeners, and primers.

Fevicol 998 FW is a toluene-free, synthetic rubber adhesive suitable for attaching soles in all types of high-quality footwear. Key specifications include:

Appearance: Dark brown liquid
Peel strength: Minimum 2 kg/inch
Tack retention time: Minimum 30 minutes
Toluene-free formulation

Fevicol PL111 is a polyurethane footwear adhesive. Pidilite also offers Fevicol 350, a water-based adhesive specially developed for footwear and leather.

Bostik

Bostik , the specialty adhesives business line of Arkema, is a leading global adhesive specialist with a presence in India. The company has expanded its manufacturing capacities in India with a new facility in Gujarat.

Bostik 1669 is a translucent, solvent-based polyurethane adhesive of medium viscosity. Key features include:

Outstanding heat resistance
Suited for bonding leather, PVC, PU and TPR pre-moulded sole units
Creates a durable polyurethane bond that resists separation under stress

Bostik also offers rubber-based adhesives with appropriate primers and cleaners, providing high bond strength to difficult substrates such as natural leathers, synthetic PET and nylon, organic textiles, hard and form plastics as well as rubbers.

Other Competitors

Other players in the Indian footwear adhesive market include:

Supex – Offers water-based leather adhesives for footwear and upholstery
Devostik Adhesives – A manufacturer of adhesives for footwear purposes since 1968
Superbond Adhesives – Provides contact adhesives for shoes with water and temperature resistance

Performance Comparison: Citifix vs Competitors

Synthetic Rubber Adhesives

Feature Citifix SR 900 Fevicol 998 FW Generic SR Adhesives Base Synthetic rubber Synthetic rubber Synthetic rubber Appearance Dark brown Dark brown Varies Key Application Sole bonding, component assembly Sole attaching in high-quality footwear General footwear bonding Toluene-Free Information not specified Yes Varies Tack Retention Information not specified Minimum 30 minutes Varies Packaging Options 500ml, 1L, 5L, 25L 5L, 25L Varies

Both Citifix SR 900 and Fevicol 998 FW are dark brown synthetic rubber contact adhesives used in footwear manufacturing. Fevicol 998 FW is specifically marketed as toluene-free, while Citifix SR 900 offers a broader range of packaging sizes for manufacturers with different production volumes.

Polyurethane Adhesives

Feature Citifix PU Series Bostik 1669 Pidilite PL111 Base Polyurethane Polyurethane Polyurethane Viscosity Low to moderate (PU-1010, PU-2020, PU-3030) Medium Information not specified Key Application Upper to sole bonding Bonding leather, PVC, PU, TPR Footwear adhesive Heat Resistance Information not specified Outstanding Information not specified Substrate Compatibility PVC, PU, EVA, TPR, leather Leather, PVC, PU, TPR Rubber, PVC, PU, EVA, canvas, leather Packaging 5L, 25L Industrial packaging 5L

Bostik 1669 is noted for outstanding heat resistance, while Citifix PU products offer a range of viscosity options for different application requirements. Both Citifix and Bostik products bond to similar synthetic substrates used in footwear manufacturing.

Primer Systems

Feature Citifix TPR-1116 / TPR-1112 Pidilite Primers Type Two-component (powder + solvent) Various Application Primer for TPR/Rubber soles Primer for footwear applications Packaging Solvent: 1L, 25L; Powder: 25g Various

Both Citifix and Pidilite offer primer systems for surface preparation before adhesive application. TPR and rubber surfaces require chemical treatment for optimal adhesion.

Performance Factors to Consider

Bond Strength

All major footwear adhesive manufacturers claim high bond strength for their products. Fevicol 998 FW specifies a peel strength of minimum 2 kg/inch. Citifix adhesives are formulated to provide strong, durable bonds with synthetic substrates.

Heat Resistance

Heat resistance is critical for footwear exposed to high temperatures during manufacturing or use. Bostik 1669 is specifically noted for outstanding heat resistance. Citifix offers Heatfix-1 (a heat-resistant formulation up to 170°C) for applications requiring elevated temperature performance.

VOC and Regulatory Compliance

Pidilite has introduced VOC-free adhesives for footwear. Fevicol 998 FW is toluene-free. Manufacturers should verify regulatory compliance based on their specific requirements.

Packaging and Supply

Citifix offers multiple packaging options (500ml, 1L, 5L, 25L) for SR 900, providing flexibility for manufacturers with different production volumes. Competitors like Fevicol typically offer larger packaging sizes (5L, 25L).

Application Considerations

Surface Preparation

Proper surface preparation is essential for achieving a strong, durable bond. TPR and rubber surfaces should be cleaned with a solvent-based cleaner to remove processing oils, mold release agents, and contaminants. After cleaning, TPR surfaces should be chemically treated with a primer prior to adhesive application.

Adhesive Application

Contact adhesives are typically applied to both bonding surfaces. After application, the solvent evaporates during the open time, leaving behind a tacky adhesive film. When the two prepared surfaces are pressed together under pressure, an immediate bond is formed.

Curing Conditions

Bond performance depends on application temperature, bonding pressure, and final curing conditions. Different adhesive systems may require different application procedures, so manufacturers should always refer to the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before production.

Expert Tip

Regardless of the adhesive selected, poor surface preparation is one of the most common causes of bond failure. Always clean substrates, use the recommended primer where required, and follow the Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for drying and curing times.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Which Citifix adhesive is commonly used for sole bonding?

Citifix SR 900 is a synthetic rubber-based contact adhesive commonly used for sole bonding and component assembly in footwear manufacturing.

2. How does Citifix compare with Fevicol for footwear adhesives?

Citifix and Fevicol both offer synthetic rubber adhesives for footwear applications. Citifix SR 900 is a multi-purpose adhesive suitable for bonding a variety of substrates, while Fevicol 998 FW is specifically marketed as toluene-free. Citifix offers more packaging size options (500ml, 1L, 5L, 25L) for manufacturers with different production volumes.

3. Which Citifix adhesive is suitable for PU/PVC soles?

Citifix PU-1010 , PU-2020 , and PU-3030 are polyurethane adhesives intended for bonding PVC, PU, EVA, TPR and leather components in footwear manufacturing.

4. What primer does Citifix offer for TPR soles?

Citifix TPR-1116 and TPR-1112 are two-component primer systems used as a primer for TPR/Rubber soles in footwear manufacturing.

5. Is Citifix compliant with BIS standards?

Citifix adhesives comply with IS 4663:1968 – Specification for permanent rubber-based adhesives for the footwear industry, established by the Bureau of Indian Standards.

6. What is the shelf life of Citifix footwear adhesives?

Refer to the product label or Technical Data Sheet (TDS) for specific shelf life information. Proper storage in cool, dry conditions extends shelf life.

7. What packaging options are available for Citifix adhesives?

Citifix adhesives are available in various packaging options including 500ml, 1L, 5L, and 25L containers, depending on the specific product.

8. How should I store Citifix adhesives?

Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat sources. Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent moisture exposure.

9. Can Citifix provide custom formulations?

The company offers customized solutions for specific customer requirements. Contact the company directly to discuss custom formulation needs.

10. Which Citifix adhesive is recommended for EVA foam bonding?

SR 500 FW is formulated for footwear applications and suitable for bonding EVA to EVA sheets and various footwear components.

Selecting a Footwear Adhesive

Selecting a footwear adhesive depends on the sole material, upper material, production speed, curing requirements, environmental conditions, and desired bond performance. Rather than relying on a single product for every application, manufacturers should evaluate substrate compatibility, production workflow, and the latest Technical Data Sheet (TDS) before choosing an adhesive.

Citifix offers synthetic rubber adhesives, polyurethane adhesives, and primer systems to support a wide range of footwear manufacturing requirements.

According to the manufacturer, the product range includes:

Manufacturing since 1994
Product range includes synthetic rubber and polyurethane adhesives
Multiple packaging sizes available
Manufacturing facilities in Uttar Pradesh
Technical product guidance available

Contact Information

Citifix Adhesives Pvt. Ltd. Corporate Office: B - 15/2, Site 4, Ind. Area, Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh 201012 Factory: 86-J, Ecotech-1, Ext.-1, Greater Noida (U.P.) 201306 Phone: 8800338889, +91 1204568371 Email: info@citifix.in Website: citifix.in