Adhesives & Sealants 2023 Sustainable Innovations Highlights

TAGS:  Sustainability / Natural Adhesives    

The adhesive and sealant industry took significant strides towards sustainability in 2023. Several companies pioneering new technologies and processes to reduce environmental impacts. From using bio-based ingredients to wash-off adhesives, the year saw creative solutions that cut emissions, energy, and waste while meeting performance needs.

Discover the most promising sustainable adhesive innovations of 2023 with this curated roundup.

Adhesives that Wash-off for Good

Bostik Unveiled Wash-off Label Adhesive for PET Bottles Recycling

Bostik, the adhesive solutions division of Arkema, announces an increase in its sustainable offering with the launch of all-temperature, wash-off label adhesive.

The Flexcryl™ product family is comprised of emulsion acrylic adhesives typically used in label applications. As part of that family, Flexcryl™ ClearCycle 1000 adhesive is derived from a water-based, acrylic technology to help converters address key unmet needs for PET bottle label applications, which is a fast-growing bottle material preference due to its ability to increase design options and support sustainability initiatives. With Flexcryl™ ClearCycle 1000 adhesive, converters can now use wash-off labels for cold-fill or freezer grade applications that require adhesion at 40°F/4.4°C or lower.

“Flexcryl™ ClearCycle 1000 adhesive stands out on the market for its product performance, and APR’s stringent testing proves its benefit to PET recycling streams," said Eric Parois, global marketing director for labels and narrow web technologies at Bostik. “Our extensive market knowledge and technical expertise allow us to formulate products that address unmet market needs while also recognizing the big picture: how we can reduce environmental impact together. Flexcryl™ ClearCycle 1000 adhesive showcases that dedication and marks another step toward helping the market reach sustainability goals.”

Dow’s Wash-off WB Label Adhesive Received APR Recognition

Dow’s INVISU™ 7007 wash-off pressure sensitive adhesive has received recognition from the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) as meeting or exceeding its most strict Critical Guidance Protocol for the recycling of clear PET articles with filmic labels and closures. APR’s Critical Guidance Recognition is a widely accepted recyclability assessment for plastics packaging and is granted to companies whose products solve challenges in sustainable package design.

“Labels are a crucial part of packaging as they convey important information to the end user,” said Isabelle Uhl, R&D/TS&D fellow at Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics.

Wausau Coated Products Launched Wash-away Acrylic Adhesive

Wausau Coated Products (WCP) launched wash-away adhesive solution WA-769. The new adhesive is an emulsion acrylic permanent adhesive with good initial tack and adhesion to most surfaces.

WCP is offering WA-769 wash-away adhesive on two of our most popular roll label facestocks; 70# bright white felt with 30% PCW & wet strength (WS) and 60# Estate Label® #8 vellum with WS. These products are an excellent choice for facilities where bottles are returned, rinsed, and cleaned for reuse.

In addition to the wash-away adhesive properties, when these label stocks are immersed in an ice bucket, they will remain affixed keeping the label intact due to their wet strength properties.

Wash-off Label Adhesive for PET Recycling from HERMA

HERMA launched 72Gpw and 72Hpw, a wash-off label adhesive for PET recycling. 72Gpw offers approximately double the initial adhesion of standard wash-off adhesives with an equally high final adhesion and above all equally good washability. The Cyclos-HTP Institute has already certified the adhesive 72Gpw accordingly in combination with various film and paper label materials.

Institut cyclos-HTP has certified the adhesive 72Hpw for wash-off applications in combination with the film HERMA PP white super tc (grade 881). This means that PET bottles can also be visually attractive for products such as beverages, cleaning agents (detergents), cosmetics and personal care. They can all be recycled in industry-standard recycling plants.

Innovations in Medical Adhesives

Bio-based Tissue Adhesive from Snail Mucus

Inspired by the age-old therapy, researchers at the Kunming Institute of Botany under the Chinese Academy of Sciences identified a natural biological adhesive from snail secretion.

The researchers have developed adhesive from snail mucus to heal traumatic injuries and chronic wounds. They evaluated the adhesive its in-vitro adhesion properties and in-vivo effects on wound healing.

Gecko-inspired Dry Adhesive Tape

Stanford Mechanical Engineering professor Mark Cutkosky’s Biomimetics and Dexterous Manipulation Lab (BDML) studies the properties of this lizard’s uncanny ability to stick to surfaces. In BDML, sixth-year Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. student Tony Chen and fifth-year Mechanical Engineering Ph.D. student Amar Hajj-Ahmad collaborated to develop a dry adhesive tape that mimics the gecko’s grip.

Stanford’s gecko adhesive development project started in the mid-2000s after the United States Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) issued a challenge to devise a way for robots to climb walls vertically without suction.

Mussels-inspired Injectable Bioglue Seals Surgical Wounds

A UCLA-led research team has created a new, biodegradable hydrogel adhesive that is three times stronger than comparable bioglues. Injected from a syringe, the bioglue’s honey-like viscosity coupled with its fast-sealing action could improve precision in closing surgical wounds on curved and wet tissues.

The new glue, which contains more than 80% water, was inspired by the way that mussels adhere themselves to rocks, pier pilings and other wet surfaces.

Mussels Protein-based Adhesive for Stem Cell Therapy Applications

A joint team of researchers from POSTECH, Dongguk University Medical Center, and Nature Gluetech in Korea has developed a novel treatment strategy for damaged cartilage, involving the use of a viscous immiscible liquid that is capable of facilitating the transplantation of stem cells into affected tissue by means of adhesive protein derived from mussels and hyaluronic acid.

The researchers developed a novel bioadhesive material in the form of a viscous immiscible liquid phase to overcome the limitations of the conventional treatment strategy. This was achieved by combining adhesion protein derived from mussels with high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, which exhibits opposing charges and thus facilitates electrostatic interactions between them. By engineering a highly viscous liquid bioadhesive that does not disintegrate or swell in water, the team formulated an adhesive material that can securely encapsulate stem cells and facilitate their firm attachment to the transplantation site.

Biodegradable Biomedical Transparent Adhesive for Tissue Repair

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Bhopal (IISER Bhopal) researchers have developed a clear synthetic biomedical adhesive that can effectively seal and repair injured and dissected tissues. This adhesive, which is biodegradable and biocompatible, is capable of binding different surfaces such as tissues, bones, eggshells, and wood in both air and underwater and requires no additional crosslinking agents or metal ions.

Tissue Adhesive Hydrogel Generates Oxygen for Enhanced Healing

Wound management is essential to ensure a speedy and safe recovery, and tissue adhesive patches are an attractive option that can replace sutures and stapling.

In a recent study, researchers from Incheon National University (INU) Korea developed a new type of gelatin-based tissue adhesive hydrogel that locally generates oxygen through a reaction mediated by calcium peroxide, which improves the adhesiveness of the material and greatly enhances the healing process.

These patches can also deliver drugs directly to wounds, enhancing recovery. While existing adhesive patches containing catecholamines such as dopamine (DA) have shown promise, they face challenges due to slow oxidation and weak bonding with the polymer backbone.

Lohmann Introduces Adhesive Skin Patch for Extended Medical Device Wear

Lohmann introduces DuploMED 85300, an adhesive skin patch with a wearing time of 28+ days, which significantly increases the wearing time of medical devices. Thus, the costly continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices need to be changed less frequently, saving costs and improving the environmental footprint.

The new adhesive is breathable, skin-friendly and can be removed after 28+ days of use painlessly despite its long adhesion. Several wear studies of Lohmann's adhesive skin patch confirm its high reliability even under harsh external influences such as outdoor sports or extensive exposure to humidity during showering or swimming.

Adhesive Gel Offers Breakthrough Treatment for Gastrointestinal Leaks

Researchers at the Terasaki Institute for Biomedical Innovation have developed an adhesive gel, offering a revolutionary treatment for gastrointestinal leaks, a condition clinically known as enterocutaneous fistulas. This development marks a significant milestone in addressing a challenging medical condition that has long plagued patients and clinicians.

The adhesive gel represents a paradigm shift in the treatment of gastrointestinal leaks. The gel is composed of synthetic nanoparticles and gelatin modified with dopamine; this gel is designed to quickly solidify upon injection, forming a robust structure with superior mechanical and adhesive properties. This unique composition ensures that the gel can effectively seal the fistula, preventing further complications and aiding in healing.

3D-printable Tissue Adhesive for Prosthetic Integration

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) have been working alongside the Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB) and the Fraunhofer USA Center for Manufacturing Innovation (CMI) to develop a tissue adhesive that can help avoid early replacement of prostheses in the future. The biomimetic, antimicrobial material is applied to the titanium surface of the implant, which then connects with the bone and naturally adheres to the bone.

The key here is that the tissue adhesive, which emulates the adhesive property of mussels, can be printed — even onto curves and uneven surfaces.

Mussels use a protein containing the amino acid dihydroxyphenylalanine (also known as DOPA) to cling to surfaces. Researchers at Fraunhofer IAP in Potsdam Science Park have been working with Fraunhofer IGB and Fraunhofer USA CMI to develop a biomimetic adhesive that emulates this property.

It is set apart by its remarkable adhesive and bonding properties, which allow it to be used in a variety of applications across biomedicine, such as closing open wounds, for example. It can also be applied to the titanium surfaces of implants as an adhesive, causing the body to recognize the surface as a bone-like substance and connect it with the bone.

Latest Research on Adhesive Recycling

Reversible Water-based Glue Set to Revolutionize Recycling

Newcastle University engineers have invented a new reversible glue that promises to change how we recycle.

Its reversible nature means it can be used for a multitude of purposes such as on the labels of bottles so that they are efficiently detached, making them easier to recycle. Labels will no longer need to be sent to landfill.

The reversible glue, developed by experts from Newcastle University’s School of Engineering, is a water-based emulsion – a paint – that bonds together and can be separated by water that is either acidic or alkaline.

New Process Converts CO₂ into Valuable Chemicals for Adhesives

A University of Alberta researcher has developed better ways to convert carbon dioxide, a harmful greenhouse gas, and glycerol, a leftover of biodiesel production, into value-added materials with wide-ranging uses including liquid hydrogen storage.

The pair of procedures, which will be tested on a larger scale for industry-level viability, represents an important step forward in sustainability, says Yanet Rodriguez Herrero, who conducted the work to earn a PhD in bioresource technology and food engineering from the Faculty of Agricultural, Life & Environmental Sciences.

“We’ve broken a barrier in terms of improving difficult conversion processes and making them more efficient.”

Though CO₂ is a major contributor to climate change, it also has potential to be converted into methanol, a highly valuable chemical that can be used in several industrial applications including automotive, electronic, clothing, adhesives, paints and coatings, packaging, solvents, pharmaceuticals and agricultural chemicals.

Low-carbon Adhesives Inspired by Sandcastle Worms

Sandcastle worms are marine creatures about two inches long that build huge colonies of honeycombed, reef-like structures by cementing sand grains together. Inspired by these structures, a research team led by Prof. WANG Shutao from the Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has developed natural-based, low-carbon building materials for use in the next generation of low-carbon construction.

The researchers realized that the composite adhesive secreted by the sandcastle worms was key to the strong colonial sandcastles. The adhesive contains both cationic proteins and anionic proteins, thus allowing it to firmly bind grains together.

By mimicking this process, the researchers fabricated colonial sandcastle-inspired, low-carbon building materials with good mechanical performance. Using oppositely charged bio-polymer adhesives, these natural-based low-carbon building materials can be constructed from various grains (e.g., desert sand, sea sand, concrete slag, etc.) under low temperature and atmospheric pressure.

New Method Recycles Superabsorbent Diapers into Adhesives

Researchers at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) have now significantly improved the complex recycling of superabsorbent disposable diapers. Using UV rays, they dissolve the chemical chains that hold the polymers together 200 times faster than before, without chemicals and at room temperature. The dissolved polymers can be processed into new adhesives and dyes.

“The chains that connect the polymers are refracted by light and are then so loose that they float in the water and become liquid fibers,” explains Pavel Levkin, professor at the Institute of Biological and Chemical Systems. To do this, the researchers cut out the absorbent pad from conventional diapers, moistened it with water and then exposed it to light with a 1000-watt lamp. After just five minutes, the solid material turned into a liquid that dripped into a collecting container.

The team then processed the liquid raw chemical into new adhesives and dyes using known processes. “It was important to observe that the substance is soluble and processable. We can certainly do a lot more with this,” explains the scientist.

Eco-friendly Adhesive System to Replace Harmful Glues

A team of chemists at Purdue University led by Jonathan Wilker, professor of chemistry in the College of Science and of materials engineering, aims to develop a completely sustainable adhesive system.

Wilker and his lab have spent years studying the science of sticky substances, analyzing marine animals that adhere, like mussels and oysters, and trying to create better, sustainable, affordable adhesives that work as well as any glue from the hardware store. He has a drawer of those commercial glues in his lab, which give off a strong and familiar smell.

“Those volatile petrochemicals in these glues can be toxic, which is a further problem with current technologies,” Wilker said. One example is the common building material plywood, which is formed of wood pieces held together with formaldehyde-based adhesives. Newly built houses are off-gassing formaldehyde, exposing residents to this carcinogen.

Bio-based Adhesive for Wet Environments Aims to Restore Coral Reefs

Patent-pending adhesive formulations developed at Purdue University from fully sustainable, bio-based components establish bonds that grow stronger when underwater or exposed to wet conditions.

Gudrun Schmidt, an associate professor of practice in Purdue’s Department of Chemistry, and a team of researchers developed the adhesive formulations from zein, a protein found in corn, and tannic acid. The adhesive formulations could be further developed and used in the restoration of coral reefs and have applications in the construction, manufacturing, biomedical, dental, food and cosmetic industries.

New Adhesives from Old Plastics

Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Applied Materials Research IFAM in Bremen and the Plastics Center SKZ in Würzburg launched a research project that aims to also feed thermally damaged plastics into the circular economy via chemical recycling. The material of choice is PET, which is already very well established in mechanical recycling.

“Our goal is to develop a continuous, reactive recycling process from PET recyclates to polyester polyols. These are then used again as chemical starting material," explains Hatice Malatyali, group manager for extrusion and compounding at SKZ.

The polyols obtained serve as a raw material for a wide variety of technological areas, such as adhesives or paints. In the project, these are to be used as starting materials for adhesive formulations and thus transferred directly to an application. A demonstrator system is also planned at the SKZ to make the process accessible to interested medium-sized companies.

Renewable Adhesive with Substrate Reset Capability

The National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS) has developed a renewable adhesive that allows for repeated bonding and debonding and can reset the substrate and adhesive to their original state when needed.

With increasing awareness of the need to balance environmental concerns with economic growth, there is a demand for technologies that enable the separation and recovery of multi-component molded products. In this context, attention is being focused on a new bonding method that provides sufficient adhesion during use and easy release once its purpose has been fulfilled.

The challenge is to reconcile the conflicting elements of strong adhesion and easy removal. Furthermore, even when debonding is achieved, issues such as adhesive residue on the substrate or substrate damage have hindered material flow.

Additive to Dissolve Adhesive Naturally During Recycling

University of Surrey researchers have developed a new additive for adhesives that allows the adhesive to be dissolved in the recycling process.

Sticky residue causes problems in the recycling industry, ranging from low-quality products, blocked water systems and even damaged recycling machinery.

The newly invented adhesive, very similar to that used on commercial packaging tape, has a chemical additive known as thionolactone which makes up 0.25% of the composition. This additive allows the adhesive to be dissolved in the recycling process, something which was previously not possible. Labels can also be detached up to 10 times faster when compared to a non-degradable adhesive.

Initiative by Manufacturers

Perstorp Highlights Sustainable Transition to a Fossil Free Economy at EU Meeting

Perstorp represents Swedish industry at the meeting where Europe's environment ministers, the EU Commission and important industry representatives from across Europe gather in Sweden to discuss how to deal with climate change.

The chemical industry is a transformational engine that enables sustainable solutions for the society as a whole, and Perstorp is a driving force in the industry to move away from fossil dependence and enable sustainable transformation throughout value chains.

Perstorp’s message at the EU ministers’ meeting is clear that Europe is an important but limited market and for European industry to thrive and transform, the EU must unleash the innovation potential of its industry sector, through an efficient policy framework.

NobleAI Launched Science-Based AI Solutions for Chemical Industry on Azure

NobleAI, a provider of science-based AI solutions for chemical and material informatics, announces the general availability of its offerings on Microsoft's Azure Marketplace. Solutions now available on the popular online store include NobleReactor, NobleBattery, and NobleChemistry.

The first solution in its class on the Azure Marketplace, meets the growing demand from chemical, materials and energy companies for AI solutions that can help reduce costs and accelerate development of better performing and more sustainable products.

SuperBark Received €4.5 Mn to Develop Adhesives from Tree Bark

The Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking (CBE JU) funded SuperBark will explore natural components in softwood bark to develop new bio-based adhesives and coatings for wood panels and packaging paper. The four-year project will improve the sustainability and safety profiles of adhesive and coating products compared to fossil-based solutions.

Adhesives and coatings are an integral part of everyday wood-based consumer products. However, most adhesives and coatings currently on the market are produced using fossil-based and harmful chemicals, which conflicts with the EU-level goal of protecting the health and well-being of citizens and the environment.

As a solution, the CBE JU has funded €4.5 million to SuperBark – a research and innovation project that will develop safe and sustainable adhesives and coatings from pine and spruce bark, which are major industrial side streams of the forest industry. SuperBark is coordinated by VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd, and the project’s interdisciplinary consortium consists of 12 partners from eight countries. SuperBark kicked-off on 1st September 2023 and continues until August 2027.

LG Chem & GS Caltex Partner to Develop Plant-derived 3HP for Adhesives

LG Chem and GS Caltex sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to further their collaborative endeavors on a joint project focusing on 3HP (3-Hydroxypropionic acid), an essential raw material for eco-friendly biodegradable plastics on Oct 12th. LG Chem and GS Caltex forge ahead in accelerating eco-friendly biomaterials business.

The MOU follows a 2021 Joint Development Agreement (JDA) between the two entities, culminating in the construction of a 3HP testing plant at the GS Caltex Yeosu Plant in July of the same year. The recently completed plant sets the stage for prototype production, slated to begin in the first quarter of 2024.

3HP can be transformed into bio-acrylic acid, positioning it as a next-generation platform chemical with applications in a range of materials, including super absorbent polymers (SAP) utilized in diapers, as well as paints, adhesives, coating materials and carbon fiber.

tesa Launched Paper-based Adhesive Tape for Sustainable Cardboard Packaging

tesa, a manufacturer of innovative adhesive tapes and self-adhesive product solutions, is introducing another more sustainable tape. The new tesa® 51345 is a paper-based reinforcement adhesive tape that can be used, for example, to reinforce packaging or cartons at sensitive points such as side hole handles, flap handles, and top-hole handles. It is part of a comprehensive range for corrugated board manufacturers.

Initiative by Organizations

FEICA 2023 Highlighted Sustainable Innovation in Adhesives Industry

The FEICA 2023 European Adhesive & Sealant Conference and EXPO took place at the PortAventura Convention Centre in Tarragona, Spain, from 13 to 15 September 2023 and was attended by almost 700 delegates.

This year’s Conference Business Forum, titled ‘Industry Innovation for Sustainable Development’, explained Europe’s position in sustainable innovations, the upcoming regulations, and how companies can become more competitive to be a leader in green industries. For instance, by reducing CO₂ emissions in the value chain, Europe can achieve a low or zero carbon footprint which is essential for customers to achieve their sustainability goals.

Afera, IVK & Sphera Collaborate to Create Web-based PCF Calculation Tool

Afera and German Adhesives Association IVK are collaborating with Sphera, a specialized provider of sustainability consulting services, to develop a web-based, sector-wide tool for Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) calculation of both adhesives and adhesive tapes.

The PCF tool uses a harmonized, straightforward, affordable method to help meet upcoming E.U. regulations.

Conclusion

In short, recent progress in adhesive technology shows a big move towards being more eco-friendly and creative in various industries. New types of glue, like water-based and bio-based ones inspired by sea creatures, along with using renewable materials, are helping cut down on harm to the environment. Advances in recycling, especially with items like superabsorbent diapers and old plastics, also demonstrate a strong commitment to recycling and reusing.

Scientists are also working on making adhesives for specific uses, like in wet places to help with fixing coral reefs. Big companies and groups are joining in, with Perstorp wanting an economy free from fossil fuels and collaborations like Afera, IVK, and Sphera creating tools to measure how much carbon footprint adhesives have.

In the end, all these improvements show that the adhesive industry is becoming more aware of balancing growth with taking care of the environment. This sets the stage for a future where things are done in a greener and more sustainable way.

Source: Curated by SpecialChem