Adhesives & Sealants Industry Top Stories

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A new advanced modified polymer sealants line combines the best attributes of traditional silicones and polyurethanes, enabling construction professionals and do-it-yourselfers to benefit from a sealant that offers superior weatherability and durability.

As more manufacturers across the adhesives and sealants industry embrace sustainable manufacturing processes, they are finding their decisions are also improving their financial bottom line. There does not need to be a trade-off, and green manufacturing is proving to be a win-win. 

Sealants and adhesives play an integral role in the building envelope. However, not all adhesive formulations are created in the same way or from the same materials. Some may actually interact negatively with various building materials or perform temperamentally in areas of the country that experience broader seasonal temperature fluctuations. Choosing the correct adhesive saves valuable time and reduces labor, as well as the likelihood of costly rework.

The definition of “sustainability” is in flux. As it pertains to construction, sustainability is constantly evolving to encompass varying approaches and priorities. In the U.S., sustainable construction is the method of creating buildings and using processes that are environmentally reliable and resource efficient throughout the building’s life cycle, including design, construction, operation, and renovation. Western Europe defines sustainable construction as a way to build that aims to reduce health and environmental impacts affected by the construction process or by buildings.

Despite all the discussion and debate in society over reducing our waste and carbon footprint, sausage packages (also known as chubs) for adhesives and sealants continue to gain little support in the building industry—even though their reduced packaging and low waste factor represent a step change in sustainability.

Old mattresses, insulating material, furniture, and steering wheels—these raw materials are not particularly appealing. But the solvolysis process is enabling Rampf Eco Solutions GmbH & Co. KG to recycle these types of waste materials and create customized polyols for applications ranging from foams to adhesives. 

Adhesives are not typically top of mind to consumers of disposable hygiene products. They are not a large part of the product and can possibly be an afterthought by the article producers themselves. However, it is important to recognize that adhesives have several important tasks in these applications, from sealing and securing the diaper or pad core’s structure to holding elastics firmly in place inside the diaper.

While media headlines over the past 18 months have been largely dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus on environmental impact and climate change has never been far away. More recently, it has come to particular prominence ahead of the COP26 United Nations Climate Change Conference that will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, as well as the extreme weather conditions experienced by several U.S. states.

Structural adhesives, also known as load-bearing adhesives, are substances that harden and fasten two similar or dissimilar substrate elements with high-modulus, high-strength, and permanent bonds.