Adhesive Applications
How adhesive choice can support more sustainable packaging
by Alex Zulewski, commercial manager at Power Adhesives
consumables need to be carefully removed from the paper and board before it is pulped to ensure the ongoing quality of reclaimed material. If they are not, they can act as contaminants, damaging its quality and ultimate economic value. As a result, these substances are typically skimmed off during recycling and diverted to another waste stream for incineration or landfi lling. However, although this process is essential for recycling to take place, it results in increased carbon emissions and unnecessary waste entering the environment, where they can release microplastics and hazardous chemicals. By choosing the right adhesives, converters can avoid this problem altogether. While many hot melt adhesives contain materials that cannot biodegrade under natural conditions, advances in technology mean today’s packaging manufacturers can access biodegradable formulations. These products, such as Power Adhesives’ Tecbond 214B hot melt adhesive, often feature high bio-renewable content and can support the industry with a
A
high-performance adhesive solution that breaks down naturally in the environment without causing lasting damage.
s the packaging industry grapples with becoming more sustainable, it finds itself asking questions about the consumables and materials it relies on. However, too often, these conversations focus on the role played by inks, coatings and substrates, at the expense of other products like adhesives. Adhesives may account for just a small proportion of packaging’s total weight, but when it comes to the environment, they can have an outsized impact. From reducing material waste to enhancing recyclability, adhesives can be a versatile ally in the pursuit of more eco-conscious packaging designs. Just as they bond materials together, these unassuming substances can also bridge the gap between functionality and environmental responsibility.
The ongoing pursuit of making packaging more sustainable has prompted a move away from plastic towards other materials. Paper and board are increasingly common sights for packaging across a range of sectors due to their light weight, relative low cost, durability and
comparatively low environmental impact. After use, these materials can break down naturally in the environment but are also suitable for recycling by being pulped and reprocessed. This means they can theoretically serve the packaging sector for many years, so long as common pitfalls are avoided.
Inks, coatings, adhesives and other
Biodegradable hot melt adhesives are designed to begin degrading when exposed to certain conditions such as heat, UV light and oxygen. These elements begin an irreversible process that breaks down the adhesive’s long chain polymers, leaving behind a harmless mixture of carbon dioxide, organic matter and water that can be consumed by microorganisms in its entirety. What’s more, if the packaging does escape the recycling stream, this technology means no harmful substances or microplastics enter the environment, resulting in a more sustainable packaging lifecycle. Although most packaging is designed to hide adhesives from view, that is no reason to overlook their environmental impact. Choosing more sustainable, biodegradable adhesive formulations helps converters support a healthier planet and demonstrate their own sustainability credentials. With modern adhesive technology enabling this without compromising on its performance characteristics, it has never been easier to create packaging that does not cost the earth.
22
March 2025
www.convertermag.com
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