Imagine going grocery shopping and finding every product in the supermarket unpacked, just lying on the shelf. Or imagine an LED being delivered to your home broken because it wasn’t in a box. This is how packaging plays an important role in every human’s life. From trivial to important activities of a person’s life, packaging or packed materials significantly simplify life.
With different types of products, appropriate and suitable packaging materials are required to ensure that the product is protected. But a perfectly packed product can only be achieved with the right type of packaging adhesive. In this article, we will try to understand what packaging adhesives are and what are the best adhesives for different packaging materials.
Understanding Packaging Adhesives
Packaging Adhesive refers to a type of glue or bonding material designed to seal, adhere, and secure different types of packaging materials together. The purpose of a packaging adhesive is to ensure the protection of goods packed in a packaging material such as plastic, paper, etc. This glue which we refer to as Adhesive helps in keeping the packaging together during transportation, handling, and storage. Packaging adhesives come in various forms such as tapes, glues, or hot melt adhesives, each suited for different types of packaging materials and requirements. Let’s go through the best adhesives for different packaging materials.
Paper Packaging Adhesives
Paper is undoubtedly the most common packaging material used for packaging. From food to an LED that we talked about above, everything comes in paper packaging. However, the efficacy of paper packaging heavily relies on the selection of the right adhesive. Without the right kind of adhesive, manufacturers can lose hundreds and thousands of dollars annually in product damage. Here are the best adhesives for paper packaging:
Hot Melt Adhesives: Hot melt adhesives (HMAs) are like special glues that start off hard but turn gooey when they get hot. They’re made from different stuff like plastics and other ingredients. These glues are used in lots of different jobs because they can stick things together really fast and work in many different situations.
Water-Based Adhesives: Water-based adhesives for paper packaging are glues made mostly from water. They’re used to stick paper together in packaging stuff like boxes or labels. These adhesives are kind of like paints—when they dry, they form a strong bond that keeps the packaging sealed and secure. They’re great because they’re safe, easy to use, and better for the environment compared to some other types of glue.
Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives: Imagine pressure-sensitive adhesives for paper packaging as the superheroes of stickers—they leap into action when you press them down. These adhesives live on tapes and labels in paper packaging and work their magic the moment they feel the paper’s touch, no heat or water required. What’s impressive? They don’t lose their stickiness after application, making them the perfect sidekick for sealing packages or tagging products hassle-free.
Spray Adhesives: When considering adhesive solutions for your product packaging, spray adhesives are surely among the top adhesives. These adhesives offer a broad spectrum of functionalities, catering to the diverse requirements of paper packaging in manufacturing. They effectively bond various paper types, providing options for both temporary and permanent adhesion, thus accommodating the specific needs of your products.
Plastic Packaging Adhesives
Right next to paper, another common material used for packaging is plastic. It is used everywhere by small to big manufacturers and sellers of goods. Plastic packaging is very reliable but the credit of its reliability goes to the strong adhesives behind it.
Cyanoacrylate Adhesives (Super Glue): Seeking a rapid and robust bonding solution? Look no further than cyanoacrylate adhesives, commonly known as super glue. These adhesives excel in bonding various plastic types, swiftly forming durable connections. They’re perfect for situations requiring quick setting times and unparalleled adhesion strength.
Epoxy Resin Adhesives: When it comes to durability, epoxy adhesives are unbeatable. Their exceptional bonding strength spans across a wide array of plastics, ensuring a resilient and sturdy bond. Noteworthy for their resistance to chemicals and environmental factors, epoxy resin adhesives are the go-to choice for demanding plastic packaging applications.
Polyurethane Adhesives: Seeking both flexibility and strength in your adhesive solution? Polyurethane adhesives offer precisely that. Capable of bonding different plastic types, they provide a resilient bond capable of withstanding temperature fluctuations during transportation and storage. Their adaptability makes them an ideal choice for varying packaging needs.
UV Curable Adhesives: Efficiency is key, and UV curable adhesives offer a swift and efficient bonding solution for plastic packaging. Cured using ultraviolet light, these adhesives boast excellent adhesion properties. Industries requiring rapid production and curing times find these adhesives invaluable for their packaging processes.
Selecting the right adhesive for your plastic packaging materials is crucial to ensuring product reliability, presentation, and customer satisfaction. Factors such as the specific plastic types used, environmental conditions, required bond strength, and application methods should guide your choice.
