TAGS: Sustainability / Natural Adhesives Hot-melt Adhesives
TSRC has become a leader in today’s Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBC). Their products have been highly acclaimed and widely adopted by major customers all over the world.
Their unique Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene (SIS) copolymers offer:
- good thermal stability,
- high cohesion strength,
- spray ability, and
- superior adhesion
SIS polymers offer excellent pressure-sensitive adhesive properties and work well with a range of coating lines. It is also well-suited for elastomer compounds, plastic modification, and photopolymer plate applications.
We recently interviewed Gordon Little, President and General Manager at TSRC Specialty Materials, to understand the latest eco-friendly trends in the label adhesives market, its impact on the material design, and get a detailed view of the newly added VECTOR® DPX-671 that allows label application at very low temperatures.
#1. Please share a brief history of TSRC and how it began producing SBC for label adhesives.
TSRC is commemorating its 50
th anniversary this year. Over the course of several decades, TSRC has been dedicated to providing solutions using Styrene Block Copolymers (SBC) materials.
TSRC has consistently worked towards the creation of safer products, fostering a lifestyle that is both healthy and sustainable, while also being environmentally friendly by collaborating with customers across various industries such as:
- adhesives,
- hygiene,
- medical,
- automotive, and
- specialized applications.
TSRC Specialty Materials (TSM), a wholly-owned subsidiary of TSRC, is situated in Houston, Texas, USA. It stands as a prominent producer of high-value Styrene-Isoprene-Styrene (SIS) and Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) block copolymers, collectively known as
Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBCs) in the United States. The company, formerly known as "Dexco," has undergone a name change to TSM and was originally a joint venture equally owned by ExxonMobil and Dow Chemical.
Amid the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, TSRC established a new Research and Development Center in Katy, Texas, while also consolidating its sales office to the same location. These strategic moves underscore the company’s global presence and simplify its branding for future business endeavors.
#2. What are the latest trends in label adhesives?
The adhesive industry is currently experiencing several noteworthy trends.
- There is an increasing emphasis on sustainability, driving the development of eco-friendly label adhesives. These adhesives aim to minimize waste and reduce carbon footprint by utilizing ISCC+-certified materials in response to growing environmental concerns.
- There is a rising demand for low-VOC adhesives that not only contribute to environmental friendliness but also enhance safety for workers, addressing concerns related to volatile organic compounds.
- The ease of removability has become crucial for various applications such as food packaging and retail labels. This has prompted manufacturers to design adhesives that facilitate the removal of labels without leaving any residue.
TSRC Offers Easily Removable Label Adhesives for Food Packaging Applications
#3. Following this trend, what is the impact on material design?
The label adhesive industry is experiencing a noteworthy trend comprised of four crucial factors:
- Die-cutting — In response to this trend, TSRC has developed a distinctive molecular structure for this unique SIS, enabling both high-speed label conversion and rapid application. Furthermore, improvements in die-cutting techniques enhance ease of use and production efficiency.
- Low-temperature adhesion — Low-temperature adhesion and the ability to adhere to moist surfaces enhance the practicality and reliability of the adhesive, allowing labels to maintain their integrity and readability in a wider range of environmental conditions.
- Linerless labels — The popularity of hot melt adhesives is driven by their waste reduction capability which, in turn, facilitates the use of this adhesive in advanced linerless label solutions.
- Mineral oil-free formulations for food labels — The increased emphasis on mineral oil-free formulations for food labels underscores a commitment to safety and compliance, ensuring consumer well-being. EU regulation requires recycled cardboard used for food packaging to be mineral oil-free.
Mineral Oil-free Formulations for Food Labels
Moreover, removability has become a significant trend associated with the post-consumer recycling of labeled packaging. TSRC's unique SIS can be employed to create removable labels that facilitate recycling. Together, these trends signify a positive shift towards more efficient, sustainable, and health-conscious label adhesive solutions.
#4. How does TSRC’s unique SIS meet market requirements and how does it benefit the PSA label industry?
TSRC's unique SIS is unlike typical label adhesive. It's like a special ingredient in a recipe that makes your dish stand out. This polymer has:
- a unique linear, high-diblock structure with low styrene content and
- low hardness similar to pure polyisoprene.
This softness makes it perfect for label adhesion without needing any extra processing like milling. So, it simplifies the whole label-making process, making it super user-friendly and ensuring improved die-cutting and stripping during the label-converting process. The newly developed grade is called VECTOR® DPX-671.
#5. How do VECTOR® DPX-671's rheological profile and lower application temperature improve label efficiency?
Its rheological characteristics closely resemble those of acrylic adhesives, making it exceptionally proficient in the manipulation and precision cutting of labels. What sets it apart is that labels created with low-hardness VECTOR® DPX-671-based hot melt can be affixed to cold substrates, even as cold as -20 °C, and adhere effectively to moist surfaces.
This distinct advantage over acrylic adhesives highlights its ability to deliver strong initial adhesion. Unlike acrylic adhesives, which have lower tack compared to hot melt adhesives, the new VECTOR® DPX-671 allows label application on substrates as cold as -20 °C.
#6. How does VECTOR® DPX-671 enhance safety in food labels and reduce dependence on mineral oil and what's the benefit for manufacturers?
VECTOR® DPX-671 is like a safety net for food labels. It can create adhesives with a low glass transition temperature (Tg), making it perfect for labels on refrigerated food. What sets it apart is its capacity to reduce or, potentially, eliminate mineral oil, a substance that can pose risks to food safety, as reported by the EFSA
1. By using VECTOR® DPX-671, manufacturers can make their labels safer and more compliant with food regulations.
#7. How does TSRC pursue its sustainability goals for SBCs?
TSRC's fundamental principle for its SBCs is to promote eco-friendliness by enabling recyclability, thereby ensuring the production of high-quality goods. TSRC is deeply dedicated to advancing and providing sustainable products, and this dedication is clearly demonstrated through the following initiatives by employing high-flow, high-vinyl SBC, and greatly minimizing energy consumption while in use.
Additionally, our specialized SBC formulations, acknowledged for their minimal energy usage and VOC emissions strengthen our commitment to a low-carbon footprint.
About Gordon Little
Gordon Little is the President and General Manager of TSRC Specialty Materials (TSM). He holds a BS degree in Business Administration from Cornell University and an MBA from the University of Oregon. Gordon brings extensive business and leadership experience in specialty chemicals, polymers, and industrial materials to his current role.
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