December 2021

2021 Year in Review

From 2021’s in-depth feature articles to industry news stories, new product releases, and podcasts, readers sought out ASI content like never before.

December 10, 2021

Join us on a walk down memory lane as we revisit our most popular content of 2021.

Case Study

Preventing Hospital-Acquired Infections with Treated Adhesive Films

A study at the University Hospital Basel has confirmed the effectiveness of an antimicrobial coating on adhesive films.

December 22, 2021

In a clinical study that lasted several months, the effectiveness of antimicrobial-treated surfaces against hospital pathogens was examined under real-life conditions at the University Hospital Basel in Switzerland. The research team confirmed that a treated adhesive film has 98% effectiveness against microbes.

Product Profile

Benchtop Metering Maximizes Efficiency of Dual-Cartridge Systems

A conversion unit enables two-component adhesives to become as simple to use as their single-component counterparts while providing better efficiencies and increased cost savings.

December 20, 2021

A new benchtop dispenser combines the simplicity and versatility of a dual-barrel cartridge with bench-mount support, pneumatic foot pedal, air logic, control panel, and all the equipment needed to convert dual-cartridges to a benchtop potting, encapsulating, bonding, and dispensing system.

A Closer Look at Medical Adhesive Tapes for Diagnostic Applications

Adhesives and tapes used for diagnostics are faced with different challenges than those for skin contact and other medical applications.

Steve Schroff

December 1, 2021

When someone mentions medical adhesives, the first thought that often comes to mind is skin adhesion. It’s understandable, since nearly everyone has worn some type of medical adhesive product—from a simple bandage to an electrode, athletic tape, IV cover, and so on. However, an entire world of medical adhesives goes unnoticed by many: diagnostics.

Product Profile

New Coaxial Cartridges Provide High Performance

Packaging and dispensing systems can help adhesive manufacturers easily and reliably pack their formulations while minimizing waste and allowing end users to efficiently apply the products.

December 13, 2021

The design of packaging and dispensing systems can go a long way in supporting adhesive manufacturers and end users in the pursuit of increased efficiencies. Particularly with the optimal filling and application of 2-component adhesives, it’s fundamental to obtain reliable bonds.

Case Study

Tube Filling and Sealing Upgrade

A large contract packaging provider is enjoying a variety of benefits after installing a fully automatic tube filling and sealing system.

December 8, 2021

Sterling Contract Packaging, Inc. (Sterling CPI) of Moore, S.C., is one of the largest providers of contract packaging services in the Southeast. The company provides complete turnkey solutions—from product and package procurement through to the point of distribution—for non-regulated consumer products.

Advancing Adhesives

Celebrating a Passion for Innovation

Headquartered in Neuwied, Germany, and founded in 1851, Lohmann celebrates its 170th anniversary this year.

Cindy Stoner

December 6, 2021

For more than 170 years, Lohmann has produced double-coated adhesive tape technology. To this day, it remains the company’s core business, with about 1,440 patents for adhesive bonds filed thus far.

Progressive Cavity Pumps in Meter-Mix-Dispense Systems

Incorporating a progressive cavity pump helps minimize product waste while providing operational efficiencies in meter-mix-dispense systems.

Simla Ay

December 3, 2021

A progressive cavity (PC) pump is a positive displacement pump that facilitates accurate feeding of medium- to high-viscosity materials such as thermal pastes or gels. It ensures minimal waste of material, reducing the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. PC pumps also provide many operational advantages, including continuous flow (doesn’t require reload), constant volume at variable speeds, no pulsation, and low maintenance.

M&A Corner

Adhesives and Sealants M&A: Reaching Cruising Altitude

The level of merger and acquisition activity in 2021 has by almost any measure exceeded expectations.

Andy Hinz

December 17, 2021

According to data from S&P, year-to-date global M&A transaction volume through the third quarter of 2021 was up 34% compared to the first nine months of 2020 and 14% over the same period in 2019. The average reported transaction value in 2021 is 29% higher than in 2020 and up 19% over 2019. What is driving this activity? Well, it’s a few things.

From the Editor

Bye, 2021

ASI readers’ interests in 2021 tended to reflect the industry’s need to try to make sense of all of the tumult and constantly changing dynamics.

Susan Sutton

December 24, 2021

Wow, what a year. It’s like 2020 turned to 2021 and said, “Haha—beat that!” Unfortunately for us, 2021 responded with a hearty “Challenge accepted!” and proceeded to foment chaos with manic enthusiasm.

Strategic Solutions

PSA Wound Dressing Adhesion and Skin Type: A Delicate Balance

Consideration must be given to various skin types to ensure dressings can be securely attached and easily removed without skin damage.

Joseph Miglionico

December 15, 2021

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) offer easy application and secure bonding, including adhering wound care dressings to skin. Skin is a variable substrate, however, and consideration must be given to various skin types to ensure dressings can be securely attached and easily removed without skin damage.

In this webinar, Raphael Schaller, CTO of Collano, shares how his team envisioned their data to make it usable for AI-driven materials discovery. He reflects on what he would do differently if starting over, and how adopting the Citrine Platform has accelerated learning, collaboration, and innovation across the organization.

Adhesives & Sealants Industry

Cover Story