Increasing governmental regulations and consumers’ environmental concerns are fuelling demand for more sustainable adhesive options instead. Green and sustainable solutions are predicted to show greater growth in demand as compared to conventional adhesives. Five types of sustainable adhesives solutions are expected to capture increased market share in upcoming years.
Repulpable Adhesives
When an adhesive is repulpable, it means it dissolves completely in water during the paper re-pulping process. Repulpable adhesives are ideal for cardboard boxes, envelopes and other paper product applications. Because they are fully soluble in water, these adhesives simply dissolve and don’t leave behind a film or residue.
Renewable Adhesives
Derived from renewable materials, such as plants and beeswax, these adhesives have no petroleum derivatives in their formulations. In addition to a decreased carbon footprint, they further enhance overall sustainability content for many applications, including paper lamination, case and carton sealing, and bottle labelling.
Recyclable Adhesives
Recyclable adhesives are often used for automotive applications as well as for glass, aluminium and steel bonding needs. Fully compatible with the substrates they are bonded to, these adhesives can be fully melted down without yielding any adhesive waste or residue when the end use product has reached its end of life.
Biodegradable Adhesives
Biodegradable adhesives are designed to be broken down by bacteria and other living organisms. During this degradation process, they lead to the production of carbon dioxide, water and other natural gases depending on the environmental conditions. Synthesized using natural raw materials and based on renewable materials, they are ideal for labels, packaging applications, envelopes, hygiene products and medical devices especially.
Compostable Adhesives
Compostable adhesives are a sub-set of biodegradable adhesives. Unlike biodegradable adhesives, compostable adhesives are broken down in a compost pile environment. Designed to work in our existing waste remediation systems, these adhesives leave no harmful residue or waste behind once fully composted. The resulting compost will then be used to improve and fertilize the soil. As environmentally friendly initiatives rise, more companies turn toward sustainable adhesives for their labelling needs. Contact Labelservice today to learn more about going green.
