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Sticking together – adhesives in industry
The ability to adapt and be innovative in the face of economic, environmental and technological pressures was the focus of discussion at an event on ‘Future Directions for Adhesives and Sealants’ on 10 December 2009, in London, UK. Hosted by the IOM3 Society of Adhesion and Adhesives (SAA) and the British Adhesives and Sealants Association (BASA), the event gave attendees an insight into the challenges confronting the industries.
Lorna Williams, Sealants Chairman for BASA, told Materials World after the event that ‘Health and hygiene and environmental restrictions, along with CE markings, may cause a barrier to genuine innovation’.
Dr Luc Peeters of Kaneka, a chemical production company based in Westerlo-Oevel, Belgium, echoed this view. He said, ‘One of the biggest challenges in the future for adhesives will be compliance with upcoming restrictions on the use of raw materials. ‘From one side it is positive that, for instance, with the introduction of REACH, chemicals have to be checked on toxicity and their effect on the environment, but on the other side it makes it very challenging for adhesive formulators’.
In order for more environmentally friendly products to be developed, new processes will have to be devised. Kaneka has recently introduced a blending technology to mix high viscosity bitumen with low viscosity solvent-free polymers, removing the use of solvents in construction applications to comply with volatile organic compounds limits.
Peeters says, ‘With more focus on the idea of “green” adhesives, the trends are likely to shift to renewable sources. “Green” adhesives still, however, need a lot of research and development to replace traditional adhesive applications. Environmental resistance, process requirements and specific application are some of the challenges faced’.
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February 15th, 2010
The ability to adapt and be innovative in the face of economic, environmental and technological pressures was the focus of discussion at an event on ‘Future Directions for Adhesives and Sealants’ on 10 December 2009, in London, UK. Hosted by the IOM3 Society of Adhesion and Adhesives (SAA) and the British Adhesives and Sealants Association (BASA), the event gave attendees an insight into the challenges confronting the industries.
Lorna Williams, Sealants Chairman for BASA, told Materials World after the event that ‘Health and hygiene and environmental restrictions, along with CE markings, may cause a barrier to genuine innovation’.
Dr Luc Peeters of Kaneka, a chemical production company based in Westerlo-Oevel, Belgium, echoed this view. He said, ‘One of the biggest challenges in the future for adhesives will be compliance with upcoming restrictions on the use of raw materials. ‘From one side it is positive that, for instance, with the introduction of REACH, chemicals have to be checked on toxicity and their effect on the environment, but on the other side it makes it very challenging for adhesive formulators’.
In order for more environmentally friendly products to be developed, new processes will have to be devised. Kaneka has recently introduced a blending technology to mix high viscosity bitumen with low viscosity solvent-free polymers, removing the use of solvents in construction applications to comply with volatile organic compounds limits.
Peeters says, ‘With more focus on the idea of “green” adhesives, the trends are likely to shift to renewable sources. “Green” adhesives still, however, need a lot of research and development to replace traditional adhesive applications. Environmental resistance, process requirements and specific application are some of the challenges faced’.
February 15th, 2010
