Adhesives & Sealants Industry Top Stories

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Food safety has long been a concern for packaging material manufacturers and the packaging and food industry. In addition to plasticizers and mineral oils, special attention has to be paid to primary aromatic amines (PAAs). Dennis Bankmann, Ph.D., Product Development, Loctite Liofol Europe, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, explains where risks exist in flexible packaging and what steps the packaging and food industry can take to ensure highest safety.

The graphic arts market is dominated by two paper-based release liner options: clay-coated kraft papers (CCK) and polyethylene-coated papers (PCK). The AWA global market study “Pressure-Sensitive Graphic Films 2016” shows that CCK papers hold a share of 44%, and PCK papers have a share of 40%; both are mostly used worldwide as release liners.

U.S. demand for natural polymers is forecast to expand at a 4.3% annual pace to $5.1 billion in 2020, reaching 1.9 billion lbs. Growth is expected to be driven by demand for natural ingredients in the large food and beverage industry, which will bolster the use of cellulose ethers and starch and fermentation polymers.

Today, pressure-sensitive graphic films are required to perform an extraordinary and ever-changing number of functions across a variety of industries, including building and construction, road traffic signage, home décor, and large-format weather-resistant labels, in addition to the “traditional” markets of outdoor advertising, point-of-purchase promotions, and vehicle graphics.

The adhesives and sealants market is forecast to exceed $40 billion and $9.5 billion by 2023, respectively, according to a recent report from Global Market Insights Inc. Automotive, packaging and construction have traditionally been high consumption application avenues for the industry. Technology innovation focused on smart and sustainable product solutions could see over 4.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) by 2023.

Consumer and industrial products succeed in the marketplace because their performance meets expectations; adhesive and sealant materials are no exception. Ease of handling and use, ability to fasten together and seal, straightforward cleanup after application, and longevity for reliable performance are all points of evaluation that distinguish top performers from average products.

For many manufacturers, end-of-line packaging where goods are placed and sealed into secondary packaging such as corrugated cartons serves as one of the last lines of defense to ensure finished goods arrive to their final destination in excellent, saleable form.

Construction and automotive repair often require controlled blends of adhesives and sealants. Reliable and efficient applications can depend on precise and repeatable placement of epoxies and other two-component (2K) adhesives and sealants for such tasks as concrete anchoring, crack injection, foam insulation, seam sealers, bumper repair, windshield installation, and sound deadening.

Griffon Hoverwork, a designer and manufacturer of technically advanced hovercrafts, has collaborated with SCIGRIP to develop and produce its latest vessel. The newly completed 12000TD is a 22-m passenger craft that reportedly represents a significant shift in manufacturing techniques for the UK hovercraft company.

With the explosion of internet shopping over the past few years, demand for delivery vehicles has skyrocketed. As a result, vehicle manufacturers have had to strive for maximum payload to keep delivery costs to a minimum. The continuing focus for manufacturers is to increase the payload of their vehicles, thereby increasing their efficiency.