February 11, 2015
Biodegradable adhesives are starting to take the adhesives industry by storm, but there is a lot of confusion surrounding them.
FAQs About Biodegradable Adhesives
Have no fear. Our team of adhesive experts is here to help clear the air. We are answering some of the most frequently asked questions about biodegradable adhesive glues.
What Are Biodegradable Adhesives?
Traditional adhesives are often petroleum based and will usually persist in the environment for an extended amount of time. On the other hand, biodegradable adhesives are an eco-friendly alternative to traditional adhesives. They are made to break down naturally over time by microorganisms. They are usually made from renewable resources, such as plant-based materials, starches, or other organic compounds.
What Are Biodegradable Adhesives Made of?
Biodegradable adhesives can be made from a number of different materials depending on the specific product and the degree to which it is biodegradable. Commonly, biodegradable glues are bio-based adhesives made from organic materials or biomass that will easily decompose. These ingredients may include starches, plant-based proteins, natural resins, natural oils, or cellulose.
How Do Biodegradable Adhesives Work?
Biodegradable adhesives are designed to work like any other adhesive for gluing applications, but they use materials that can be broken down by environmental factors. Depending on the specific adhesive, they will start to decompose when exposed to UV light, heat, oxygen, or moisture. Increases in temperature may also speed up this process. From here, microorganisms will consume them. Adhesives that are 100% biodegradable will not leave behind any harmful chemicals or residue.
What Are Biodegradable Adhesives Used for?
Biodegradable adhesives can have many applications in various industries depending on the type of adhesive as well as the specific product. The new biodegradable hot melt adhesive, Tecbond 214B can be used in packaging and product assembly. Other biodegradable glues may be used with paper products, labels, and other recyclable materials.
Other applications such as those related to structural bonding may not yet have biodegradable adhesive solutions. Always check a product's technical datasheet for more specifics on its applicable uses. If you have a specific application in mind, you can also speak with one of our adhesive experts.
What Are the Environmental Benefits of Biodegradable Adhesives?
Traditional adhesives are petroleum based and leave behind harmful toxins like microplastics that can persist in landfills for decades or even centuries. In contrast, 100% biodegradable adhesives will decompose naturally without leaving behind these residual materials. This can reduce waste as well as the leaking of toxic, harmful chemicals into the environment.
On top of not leaving behind toxic waste, biodegradable adhesives are often made from renewable resources instead of petroleum-based products that are nonrenewable.
Are Biodegradable Adhesives as Strong as Traditional Adhesives?
Originally, there were concerns about the effectiveness of biodegradable adhesives, but in more recent years, there have been more advancements in the field. As a result, there are now biodegradable adhesives that perform at the same level of efficiency as their non-biodegradable counterparts.
How Can I Dispose of Products with Biodegradable Adhesives?
The disposal of products with biodegradable adhesives typically depends on the type of adhesive used. In many cases, biodegradable adhesives can break down naturally in composting facilities or with exposure to certain naturally occurring environmental elements. Check with the manufacturer to ensure proper disposal and that you are following the right recycling guidelines.
Why Has It Taken So Long to Develop a Biodegradable Hot Melt?
Getting a 100% biodegradable hot melt is tricky. While many companies have been asking about environmentally friendly adhesives for years, getting the right formula isn't easy. Power Adhesives was finally able to "crack the code" and develop a hot melt adhesive that is 100% biodegradable with the Tecbond 214B glue sticks. Now that they have the formula down, they are also looking to develop more specialized biodegradable hot melt adhesives for niche applications.
How Do I Know If a Biodegradable Adhesive Will Work for My Application?
Just because your company uses adhesives, doesn't mean you are an expert on them. This is where we can step in. At Gluegun.com, we have the industry knowledge and expertise to know what adhesives to use and when. Contact us, and we will talk through your specific application to determine if there is a more environmentally friendly adhesive solution for you.
Where Can I Buy Biodegradable Adhesives?
Biodegradable adhesives are growing in popularity, but it can still be hard to find these products for sale. Powered by APPLIED Adhesives, we are major distributor in the Americas of the new biodegradable hot melt adhesives from Power Adhesives.
If you have any more questions about biodegradable adhesives glues, we want to help. Contact us and you can speak with one of our adhesive experts. They can answer your questions and provide you with a personalized product recommendation if needed.
