This issue of ASI features several technologies that can help adhesive manufacturers and end-users respond to customers’ demands for more sustainable products and processes. Included in this issue is an article about designing more sustainable packaging for adhesives, an article that outlines sustainable practices for adhesive manufacturing, a technical article about additives for MDI-based composite binders for the wood composites industry, and information about using low-viscosity polyolefin materials in hot-melt adhesive formulations that will help manufacturers lower their carbon footprint. We also focus on distribution, with our annual distributor roundtable article.

One of the first things I realized when I became the editor of ASI was the importance within the adhesive and sealant manufacturing space of answering the call for more earth-friendly products. A recent report on the demand for sustainable adhesives, released by MarketsandMarkets, projects that the market for sustainable adhesives will be worth $3.7 billion by 2029. According to the authors of the report, demand will be fueled by environmental, economic, and regulatory factors. Industries and consumers are becoming more and more aware of the need for eco-friendly technology, and regulatory bodies are responding to that increased awareness by putting in place regulations that reduce VOCs and hazardous chemicals and encourage recycling and more durable and repairable products. These regulations, in turn, encourage the move to more biodegradable, recyclable, and biobased adhesives, helping to create a circular economy with lower waste and more reuse of materials.

These trends continue to change the way companies do business. According to the report, "Businesses are now beginning to realize the long-term cost advantage of sustainability, such as probable savings from decreased landfills coupled with enhanced energy efficiency in the production process. Moreover, CSR programs drive companies to embrace greener options as a way of improving their brand image in an attempt to please the green stakeholders."

The report states that recyclable adhesives have emerged as the fastest growing segment in the sustainable adhesive market. They play an important role in creating a more circular economy, easing the burden of waste management in industries such as packaging and consumer goods. These two segments see high demand from consumers for green solutions. In fact, the study reports that the fastest growing end-use industry for sustainable adhesives is expected to be the packaging industry. The ever-growing e-commerce trend will help to drive demand for green packaging solutions.

With these trends top of mind, the ASI team decided to introduce a new enewsletter to our audience: Sustainability Now. This monthly newsletter will help manufacturers and end-users of adhesives and sealants to stay up to date on the latest technology advances in sustainable raw materials, newly developed eco-friendly adhesives, and research within the field of sustainability. We want Sustainability Now to be your go-to source for the latest news, regulations, and innovations so that you can do your job better and not fall behind in your company’s sustainability journey. Our first issue of Sustainability Now goes out in September. I encourage you to register now so you don’t miss a single issue of this important resource for our industry.

As always, thanks for reading this issue of ASI, and please email me at parkerk@bnpmedia.com with your comments, suggestions, or questions. I would love to hear from you!