Which material is used as a binder?

November 28, 2025 •

4 min read

In the construction industry alone, Portland cement is a key binder, and its production accounts for a significant portion of global industrial emissions. This underscores the critical importance of understanding which material is used as a binder and its specific application, from industrial processes to everyday products.

Quick Summary

Binders are substances that hold other materials together to form a cohesive whole, acting through chemical reactions or physical processes. The material used as a binder varies greatly by industry, with common examples including cement, starches, and various synthetic resins.

Key Points

Diverse Materials: Binders range from inorganic substances like cement and lime to organic materials like starches, gums, and synthetic polymers, each suited for different applications.
Industry-Specific Applications: The material used depends on the industry. Construction uses cement, food processing uses starches, and composites rely on epoxy resins.
Binding Mechanisms: Binders work in different ways, including chemical reactions (like cement hydration), physical hardening (like drying glue), or creating a matrix to hold particles.
Performance Factors: The choice of binder is influenced by desired properties such as strength, flexibility, durability, and cost.
Natural vs. Synthetic: Natural binders are often more cost-effective and environmentally friendly for certain uses, while synthetic options can offer superior, engineered performance for high-tech applications.
Critical Component: Binders are a critical ingredient in many processes, from creating cohesive granules in tablet manufacturing to forming durable building materials.

The Core Function of a Binder

A binder, or binding agent, is a material used to provide cohesion to a mixture of substances. Its role is to permanently bond particles, fibers, or other components, creating a stable and durable structure. The binding action can result from different mechanisms, such as a chemical reaction (like hydration in cement), physical hardening (like the drying of a glue), or the creation of a matrix that encapsulates the other materials. The choice of binder is critical and depends on the specific application's requirements, including desired strength, durability, and cost.

Common Binders in the Construction Industry

Mineral Binders

In construction, mineral binders are fundamental for creating strong, durable materials like concrete and mortar. These substances, mostly derived from limestone, react with water to form a hardened matrix.

Portland Cement: The most common hydraulic binder, it hardens and gains strength by reacting with water. When mixed with aggregates and water, it forms concrete.
Lime: Available in both non-hydraulic and hydraulic forms, lime has been used as a binder for centuries. Non-hydraulic lime hardens by reacting with carbon dioxide from the air (carbonation), while hydraulic lime can set underwater.
Gypsum: Gypsum plasters, such as Plaster of Paris, are non-hydraulic binders used for plastering and ornamental work. They set rapidly after mixing with water.

Bituminous and Synthetic Binders

Bitumen (Asphalt): A highly viscous hydrocarbon derived from petroleum, bitumen is used as a binder in asphalt pavement.
Synthetic Polymers: For specialty construction applications, polymer-based binders like redispersible polymer powder (RDP) can be used to improve properties like workability and chemical resistance in concrete and mortars.

Binders in the Food and Pharmaceutical Industries

Edible and Medicinal Binders

In food and pharmaceutical manufacturing, binders are used to hold ingredients together, ensuring consistent texture and tablet integrity.

Starches: Found in plants like maize, potato, and tapioca, starches are widely used as binders in food and solid oral dosage forms. They impart cohesive qualities and are also used as fillers.
Natural Gums: Gums like acacia, guar, and xanthan gum are used for thickening and binding in baked goods, meat products, and pharmaceutical tablets.
Gelatin: A protein derived from collagen, gelatin acts as a binder and gelling agent in both food and pharmaceuticals.
Cellulose Derivatives: Semi-synthetic polymers like hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) are common in tablet manufacturing due to their excellent binding properties.
Povidone (PVP): A synthetic polymer widely used in pharmaceuticals as a binder and disintegrant.

Polymers and Resins as Binders

Industrial and Composite Binders

For advanced materials and coatings, synthetic polymers and resins act as high-performance binders.

Epoxy and Polyester Resins: These are common binders used in composite materials, like those for the aerospace and automotive industries, providing high strength and durability.
Acrylics and Oils: In paints, binders like acrylics, oils (e.g., linseed oil), and natural gums hold pigments together and ensure adhesion to the surface.
Conductive Binders: In electronics and battery manufacturing, specialized binders like PVDF or nanocellulose are used to ensure electrical contact between components and the current collector.

Natural vs. Synthetic Binders: A Comparison

To better understand the selection process, it is useful to compare binders based on their properties and typical applications.


Feature	Natural Binders (e.g., Starches, Gums, Gelatin)	Synthetic Binders (e.g., Polymers, Resins)
Source	Plant or animal derivatives	Industrially manufactured from chemical precursors
Cost	Often low cost and widely available	Varies widely, can be more expensive for specialty applications
Durability	Good for many applications but can be less resistant to certain environments	Generally offers higher and more specific performance (e.g., chemical resistance, thermal stability)
Application	Food, pharmaceuticals, traditional construction (e.g., earthen structures)	High-performance composites, paints, electronics, advanced construction
Environmental Impact	Often biodegradable and from renewable sources, depending on processing	Can have higher environmental footprint; some research focuses on bio-based alternatives
Customization	Properties are often inherent to the material source	Can be engineered for specific, high-performance properties

Conclusion: The Right Binder for the Right Job

From the immense load-bearing structures of bridges to the microscopic granules within a pharmaceutical tablet, binders are essential to the physical integrity of countless products. There is no single, universally used binder material; instead, the selection depends on a complex interplay of functional requirements, cost, and environmental considerations. Engineers, manufacturers, and formulators must carefully choose from a vast array of mineral, organic, and synthetic options to achieve the desired properties for their specific application. The continued development of composite and specialized materials drives innovation toward high-performance and more sustainable binding solutions. More information on the fundamental role and classification of binders is available on Wikipedia's Binder (material) article.

Frequently Asked Questions

A binder is any substance that holds or draws other materials together to form a cohesive whole. It can act through mechanical, chemical, or physical processes, and is a key component in everything from concrete to paint.

Natural binders include various starches (maize, tapioca), natural gums (arabic, xanthan), gelatin, and proteins like egg white.

In concrete, Portland cement is the most commonly used binder. It reacts with water in a process called hydration to create a hardened matrix that binds together aggregates like sand and gravel.

In pharmaceuticals, binders are excipients added to tablet formulations to impart cohesive qualities to the powder mix. This forms granules of a desired size and hardness before compression into tablets.

Binders are broadly classified into three main groups: mineral binders (e.g., cement, lime), bituminous binders (e.g., asphalt), and synthetic binders (e.g., polymers, resins).

Hydraulic binders, like Portland cement, require water to set and gain strength. Non-hydraulic binders, such as lime, harden by reacting with carbon dioxide from the air.

In composites, polymer binders like epoxy or polyester resins are used to impregnate reinforcing materials such as fibers. This creates a matrix that provides high strength and specific properties for advanced applications.