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“Advancements help to save Energy” – Adhesives: Ways to reduce carbon footprint
Martin Moore, EMEIA Sales Manager at Holland Colours, stresses the importance of innovations in adhesive formulations to reduce CO₂ emissions. Developing recyclable adhesives could make the recycling process of plastics more effective and efficient.
How are innovations in adhesive formulations helping to reduce energy consumption and environmental impact in the production of paints and coatings?
Martin Moore: Innovations in adhesive formulations are making a significant difference in reducing energy use and environmental impact in the paints and coatings industry. The move toward bio-based and water-based adhesives is particularly important, as these replace traditional solvent-based adhesives, which are energy-hungry and harmful to the environment.
Water-based adhesives, for example, require lower curing temperatures, which means less energy is needed during production. Additionally, the use of sustainable raw materials helps reduce dependence on petrochemicals, ultimately lowering carbon emissions. These advancements not only help to save energy but also support the industry’s efforts to create coatings with a smaller environmental footprint.
What innovations in adhesives improve coating adhesion to difficult substrates such as plastics or metals?
Moore: Recent developments in adhesive formulations have made it much easier to achieve strong adhesion to tough surfaces like plastics and metals. Surface treatments like plasma and corona help prepare the substrate, improving the bonding surface so that coatings can stick more effectively.
Additionally, adhesion promoters and coupling agents have been developed to improve bonding by creating chemical interactions between the substrate and the coating. These innovations help coatings endure more challenging conditions, boosting durability and prolonging the life of the coated materials. As a result, these advancements open up new possibilities for using coatings in industries like automotive, electronics, and manufacturing.
When it comes to recycling plastics, how problematic are adhesive residues on packaging?
Moore: Adhesive residues on plastic packaging create a real challenge for recycling. They make it harder to separate materials during sorting, often contaminating the recycling stream and lowering the quality of the recycled plastic.
When plastics are melted or reprocessed, adhesives can interfere with the process, weakening the material and potentially causing defects in the final product. This issue is especially problematic with food packaging and consumer goods, where removing adhesives efficiently is crucial. To address this, developing recyclable adhesives and improving sorting technologies are key to making the recycling process more effective and efficient.
