Questions and answers in the adhesives sealants industry.
Question: We are a custom footwear maker in California looking for biodegradable adhesives to use in the production of footwear. We are currently using a product called “Barge Cement,” which is the industry standard. We are looking for a non-toxic, biodegradable adhesive with which to bond leather. Do you know of such a product, and who I might contact?
There are many bonding applications involving footwear manufacturing. I know of no biodegradable adhesive used for bonding leather soles. In fact, I cannot imagine a situation whereby one would want to use a biodegradable for bonding the soles. In reference to some internal shoe construction, there are various types of adhesives that find use, such as contact cements, hot melts and others. A waterborne, natural-rubber latex can be used in some applications, and perhaps this is what you are asking. This type of adhesive should be available from the main shoe-adhesives manufactures. There are other suppliers as well, and you could check with your local distributor for that information.