FASTENINGS & ADHESIVES FEATURE STICKING WITH SUSTAINABILITY
How advanced adhesives are driving precision, performance and sustainability.
By George Hickey, marketing and customer activation manager at Henkel
I
n manufacturing, the fundamental principles have always been the same: make a product that is strong, reliable and efficient to produce. Yet, as technology evolves, so too must the methods we use to bring products to life. Adhesive bonding is one such technology quietly transforming the landscape of modern manufacturing – delivering strength and precision that welding or mechanical fastening alone cannot match. Across industries, from automotive to
aerospace to sporting equipment, the shift towards adhesive-based assembly reflects a broader change in priorities. Manufacturers today must balance performance, efficiency and sustainability – while upholding the highest standards of health and safety. Few examples illustrate this as clearly as the collaboration between LOCTITE and Faction Bike Studio, which is redefining how high- performance bicycle frames are built.
PRECISION AND PERFORMANCE BEYOND WELDING For decades, bicycle frames have been welded together – a tried and tested method, but one with limitations. Welding adds weight, can
distort alignment and introduces points of weakness that may compromise long-term performance. Faction Bike Studio, working with Frameworks and professional racer Neko Mulally, wanted to challenge that convention. Through close collaboration with LOCTITE’s engineering team, they explored the potential of adhesive bonding to replace welding entirely. The goal was ambitious: to make frame construction lighter, stronger and more precise, without adding complexity to the manufacturing process. The results speak for themselves. By
bonding rather than welding, the Frameworks team achieved greater accuracy in pivot locations and overall frame geometry – an essential factor in competitive cycling. Eliminating weld seams reduced the frame’s weight and improved its responsiveness on demanding terrains, enhancing the rider’s control and performance. As Mulally himself explained: “The benefits
we were chasing were really in the ease of construction and accuracy of the frame. Bonding has not only simplified the process but also allowed us to take weight out of the frame, which is a major advantage.”
REDEFINING EFFICIENCY AND SAFETY
Adhesive bonding streamlines production just as much as it can improve design outcomes. For manufacturers like Faction Bike Studio, the process eliminates the time-intensive steps associated with welding, such as grinding, cleaning and post-weld inspection. Instead, adhesives offer clean, consistent and repeatable application that aligns perfectly with lean manufacturing principles. But beyond operational efficiency, adhesive
bonding brings significant health and safety benefits. Traditional welding exposes workers to high heat, ultraviolet radiation and metal fumes, all of which require stringent protective measures. In contrast, adhesive bonding eliminates these risks entirely. LOCTITE’s H&S range, including formulations
such as LOCTITE 2400 and 2700, is specifically designed to eliminate hazardous substances and comply with CLP regulations. Classified as non- hazardous, these products do not require hazard warnings or COSHH assessments. The result is a safer, cleaner working environment, without compromising cure speed, strength or reliability.
SUSTAINABILITY BUILT IN At LOCTITE, sustainability isn’t an afterthought, it’s a design principle. Every formulation is developed with environmental impact in mind and each product is classified into one of four categories – Pioneer, Contributor, Straight Performer or Challenged – reflecting its sustainability credentials. This transparent
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