The growth of adhesive has gained popularity across the globe. The Demand for adhesives of all kinds is going up everywhere. According to recent research, this growth, and the changing requirements it puts on adhesive makers are constant challenges faced by most adhesive manufacturers. Changing requirements includes changing the product chemistry or process of how an existing adhesive material is applied, such as curing time, curing temperature, or surface geometry. These are the major challenges faced by adhesive manufacturers. So, let’s take a look at the most common challenges faced by adhesive manufacturers and the latest innovations in the Flexible Packaging Adhesives segment
Latest innovations in the Flexible Packaging Adhesives segment
As mentioned earlier the Technology disruptions and changes in consumer patterns, requirements to be considered. The effort to increase manufacturing efficiency by reducing cost demand innovations in the flexible packaging segment can be done by:
- Recyclability of Flexible Packaging
- Higher sustainability in packaging means:
- Less undesired substances, such as solvents or residual monomers
- Minimized waste
- Reduced packaging weight (transport cost), and
- Recyclability
Flexible packaging benefits with a number of these environmental advantages when compared to other packaging methods.
A general trend is towards enhanced recyclability or biodegradability of the flexible packaging, which also includes the demands towards the adhesives. They are also cost-efficient when compared to other packaging materials. More innovative solutions from the polymer binder producers are needed to address this issue at the very end of the life cycle of a packaging adhesive.
Liner-less labelling is one of the most recent innovations in packaging and labelling, which will help to:
- Reduce waste
- Improve weight efficiency, and
- Favourably influence packaging cost
For this type of packing, the adhesive needs to be strong enough to bond to various substrates including highly recycled content and low energy surfaces. So, the entire back is coated with a particular release coating so it can be wound up like a roll of tape. However, it should not be too aggressive, as it can pick the release coatings and result in print voids and variable unwind properties.
Future Challenges
Ideally, fewer adhesives would be compatible with more film combinations to reduce inventory and to allow more composting or repurposing. The adhesive should be undetectable and shouldn’t contribute odours, migrate, or be absorbed into contents. Nor its performance properties should not be compromised by prolonged exposure to package contents. It should have the ability to withstand common end-of-life reprocessing, including mechanical recycling methods involving washing steps, high heat, sorting and sanitation solutions, and even commercial enzymatic detergents. It should even work with polymers or bio-based polymers that also have improved composting properties.
Final Thoughts:
Packaging has always been used to make life better. The history of packaging has been one of materials substitution to provide maximum impact at low cost. Just like glass or metal that have been recycled for centuries. Same as that, the adhesives manufacturers will need to develop technologies to provide the safety, convenience, and responsible reuse of our packaging materials. Thus, these are the challenges faced by adhesive manufacturers today.
