How Have Acrylic Adhesives Turned Out to Be a Safe Investment for Chemical Manufacturing Businesses?

Highlights:

• Introduction
• Expanding the scope of acrylic adhesives
• Increased preference for eco-friendly adhesives

The demand for different consumer goods and electronic products has increased the applicability of subsidiary products such as adhesives. Novel solutions such as acrylic adhesives have gained a lot of popularity with the rising expansion of the automobile manufacturing industry. The increasing adoption of electric vehicles has surged the demand for such polymer-based resins as they are widely utilized to secure battery packs and other important components. Furthermore, they are also used to assemble different medical devices and gadgets. The transition toward minimally invasive surgical techniques and microfluidic devices has further widened the applicability of these solutions.

Increased preference for acrylic adhesives helping the industry reach new heights

The various advantages offered by acrylic, polymer emulsion-based adhesives make them an ideal product for various applications. These epoxy resins provide better adhesion as compared to conventional solutions and form a tight bond between the two materials. This increases durability and reduces the chances of equipment failure. Furthermore, the chemical characteristics of the compounds used in these glues make them resistant to harsh weather. These adhesives provide all-round protection from product damage and malfunctioning caused by high temperatures and chemical corrosion. Most importantly, conventional compounds, upon prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV rays, lose their adhesive properties, become brittle, and break away from the base material. On the other hand, acrylic resins are UV-resistant which makes them perfect for use in automobiles, outdoor equipment, electrical and electronic appliances, etc.

The swift curing abilities of cyanoacrylic and methacrylic adhesives are another reason behind their rising popularity. Once cured, the bond strength is hard enough to withstand fluid flow even under stress on the packaged item. The production time and expenditure for manufacturing packaging materials using these adhesives are quite low as the cure time is much faster compared to rubber glues.

Transition toward sustainability reshaping the future of the industry

Over the years, the awareness regarding the importance of environmental sustainability has increased significantly. Naturally, the demand for eco-friendly and green products has risen immensely. Almost every industry in the materials and chemicals domain has started aligning their operations and products according to the behavioral change in consumers. Leading companies in the acrylic adhesives industry, too, have launched solutions that cater to the changing needs of their customer base.

Recently, ASI Adhesives and Sealants Industry Magazine reported that several major businesses are shifting their focus on developing UV acrylic hot melt PSAs. These resins do not contain any solvents and are ideal for a wide range of applications including automotive, construction, and other outdoor equipment manufacturing industries. Furthermore, unlike conventional adhesives, these products are free from volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and do not need additional primers to improve bond strength and durability. Also, the temperature range of hot melt PSAs is much wider than regular resins.

BASF, a leading chemicals manufacturer, recently launched a solvent-free UV-curable acResin. The company, in its press release, stated that the product can be used for the production of high-end filmic and paper tapes, durable labels, medical tapes, etc., for medical and automotive applications. To reduce the carbon footprint of their operations and enhance the safety of the customers, BASF has categorically reduced the use of volatile organic compounds in these products. The UV-curable acrylic resin contains water-based raw materials and is completely free of harmful chemicals such as aromatic isocyanates, organic solvents, glymo, etc.

In July 2024, Trinseo, a manufacturing company, announced the launch of a novel dry lamination adhesive designed specifically for packaging companies looking to adopt sustainable raw materials. The company has claimed that the new product, LIGOS™ A 9200, has 62% solid content which improves its curing time and drying abilities. The solution provides high initial shear and better bond strength, thereby making it a cost-effective option for packaging businesses. The product launch is anticipated to help the company expand its footprint in the industry.

To conclude, the increasing applicability of acrylic adhesives in automotive manufacturing, construction, and consumer electronics has helped the industry flourish. Moreover, the transition toward sustainability is expected to create new growth opportunities in the near future.

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