The global market for bio-adhesives reached nearly $2.2 billion in 2021. These bio-based materials find extensive applications across numerous industries, including medical, packaging and paper, construction, wood, and personal care.

Adhesives will play a defining role in the future of packaging development, with the post-COVID marketplace providing a spur to sustainable technology. In 2021, the packaging industry is estimated to have consumed 5.40 million metric tons of adhesives. A forecast CAGR of 3.4% will push global consumption of packaging adhesives to 7.90 million metric tons in 2027.

Pressure-sensitive tape has a high degree of functionality, which in turn often results in savings of time and money, quality improvements via enhanced performance, and improved aesthetics. In multiple examples across several markets, process improvements such as reduced preparation time and decreased downtime add to the overall value generated by pressure-sensitive tape use.

The 2022 World Adhesive and Sealant Conference (WAC2022) will be held this month in Chicago, and I’m thrilled that our global industry will have the opportunity to reconnect, safely and in person. WAC2022 will offer fascinating keynotes, a broad range of technical sessions, the much-anticipated EXPO, and plenty of opportunities to connect with colleagues.

As the needs of the packaging industry evolve, adhesive converters face new challenges. The recent growth in e-commerce and food delivery services, for example, has converters looking for efficient ways to quickly slit and rewind large rolls of labels and tapes. Demand is also increasing for user-friendly products such as easy-to-remove split liners. A variety of machinery solutions help converters meet these new requirements.

BASF recently announced that it has developed adhesives that do not interfere with the recycling of paper labels on transport boxes, such as paperboard and cardboard boxes. 

Meridian Adhesives Group has announced the promotion of Jerry Stempel to the position of president of the company’s Industrial Packaging Division.

The pandemic drove increased demand for packaging and created significant stresses on the packaging value chain, but it didn’t reduce the focus on sustainability. The industry has had to meet the various challenges of the pandemic while continuing to make progress toward a circular packaging economy.

A self-adhesive, reusable, and compressible sleeve, tesa^® Twinlock can reportedly help packaging printers achieve greater operational efficiency and improve return on investment while reducing the solid waste associated with packaging printing.

Today’s manufacturers have unrestrained access when it comes to bonding solutions. Pressure-sensitive tapes and labels have grown as a viable option, but why are these solutions important?