Let’s face it, it’s a lot easier to talk about and set sustainability goals than it is to actually create and launch technically, operationally, and commercially viable greener formulas. The good news is that adhesive and sealant formulators have more choices than ever to help them achieve their goals. The bad news—ironically—is that formulators have more choices than ever to help them achieve their goals.
With fewer staff, tight time constraints, competing priorities, and long product development cycles, it’s imperative that raw material suppliers help prospective users shorten the learning curve and guide them on how best to use these new-to-the-world ingredients, especially when they aren’t drop-in replacements for existing materials. Another challenge faced by many suppliers is overcoming long-held belief systems on the efficacy of recycled and other sustainable ingredients.