The packaging industry has shifted its focus towards sustainability due to unprecedented pressure to produce environmental friendly packages. Hence water based adhesives are used to embrace sustainability without compromising on the product safety and quality standards. Traditional solvent based adhesives have dominated the packaging adhesives market for decades but have come with a undeniable environmental cost. Water based adhesives with water as the primary component and free from harsh solvents have revolutionised manufacturer’s approach towards packaging. They deliver exceptional bonding strength while protecting both- workers and the planet.
Switching to sustainable adhesive solutions is a smart business move as consumer awareness of environmental issues grows and regulations tighten worldwide. Water based adhesives combined with low VOC formulations and solvent free technologies, offer packaging manufacturers a compelling opportunity to reduce their carbon footprint, improve workplace safety, and meet increasingly stringent regulatory standards.
What are water based adhesives and why do they matter for packaging?
Water based adhesive solutions are revolutionising the bonding market through the use of water as the main carrying agent instead of toxic solvent-based adhesives, thereby providing greater safety for workers and better environmental sustainability. The engineering of these adhesives involves designing a special formula to suspend the polymer in water while providing superior bonding capabilities and eliminating the release of any harmful vapours or fumes. Water based adhesives utilise a blend of polymers such as Polyvinyl Acetate (PVA), Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA) and acrylics; these polymers are then combined with various additives to formulate the adhesive. These make water based adhesives suitable for virtually any packaging option.
Unlike the use of solvent based adhesives, water based adhesives maintain a safer chemical profile without sacrificing durability and strength. These types of adhesives have the ability to bond together a variety of different materials including but not limited to paper, cardboard, films and foils; thus offering unique properties that provide many benefits for flexible packaging, laminating and composite structures.
The shifting trend towards water based solutions also indicates that packaging manufacturers are able to manufacture higher-quality products while adhering to their environmental responsibility goals.
The Environmental Advantages of Low VOC Solutions
Packaging companies are increasingly adopting low VOC adhesive formulations because they represent an opportunity to dramatically reduce volatile organic compound emissions. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere as a result of the adhesive application and curing processes, and their presence in indoor air can adversely impact air quality.
Traditional solvent-based adhesives contain VOC concentrations of more than 250 g/l, whereas low VOC adhesives generally have an upper limit of about 150 g/l. In most cases, there is an additional benefit associated with using low VOC adhesive products; many are formulated as water-based products and have virtually no VOCs.
The substantial decrease in the amount of VOCs emitted by packaging manufacturers will generate considerable environmental improvements while creating even greater consumer health-related improvements.
1. Improved Air Quality and Work Safety
2. Reduced Carbon Footprint
Water Based Adhesives require lower processing temperatures and energy consumption during manufacture, application and curing. The simplified logistics and storage requirements further minimise greenhouse gas emissions throughout the product lifecycle.
3. Regulatory Compliance
Governments worldwide have implemented strict VOC regulations (EPA, CEPA standards). Water based adhesives and low VOC formulations make compliance straightforward, reducing the administrative burden and capital expenditure on environmental controls.
4. Prevention of Environmental Contamination
Improper disposition of of solvent based adhesives contaminates soil and waterways, threatening ecosystems and groundwater supplies. Water Based adhesives are non toxic , break down naturally, eliminating these pollution risks.
Solvent Free Glues: The Ultimate Sustainable Packaging Solution
Solvent free glues contain 100% active ingredients with zero solvent content. They produce no emissions during curing and require minimal energy input representing the pinnacle of adhesive sustainability. For example, solvent free polyurethane systems use reactive chemistry where an isocyanate and polyol combine to form polyurethane polymers, eliminating the need for carriers or solvents entirely.
The advantages of solvent free technology for sustainable packaging are substantial:
1. Exceptional Sustainability Performance
Solvent free adhesives eliminate solvent waste, reduce adhesive waste dramatically cutting energy consumption during application and curing. This facilitates easy cleanup of equipment without requiring hazardous chemical solvents and just water is sufficient.
2. Faster Curing and Enhanced Productivity
Higher bond strength is achieved within hours enabling faster slitting and pouch manufacturing. Processing becomes streamlined with pot life extended for convenience and efficiency.
3. Superior Substrate Compatibility
Solvent free adhesive systems deliver consistent, durable lamination across diverse applications- whether bonding printed films, metallised substances or multiple plastic layers. This versatility makes them ideal for candy packaging, bakery items, meat and cheese packages, boil-in-bag packages and frozen food packaging.
4. Regulatory Excellence
Complying with strict food packaging regulations and FDA standards, solvent free formulations ensure consumer safety while eliminating regulatory complexity.
Water Based Glue Performance in Food and Flexible Packaging
The transition to water based glue technology is particularly transformative in food packaging, where safety and sustainability must coexist. Acrylic water-based adhesives used in laminated food packaging films comply with FDA and EU 10/2011 food contact material standards, ensuring products remain safe for consumers while meeting environmental goals.
In packaging of food items, solvent free water based adhesives deliver several benefits:
1. Temperature and Humidity Resistance
Water based adhesives maintain reliable bonding strength even in freezing temperatures, extreme heat or high humidity. This ensures package integrity and food preservation throughout the supply chain.
2. Advanced Formulations with Plant Based Content
Modern water based adhesive formulations have upto 30% plant based polymers further reducing ecological footprints while maintaining industrial grade performance. Water based adhesives like those by Superbond exceed regulatory standards while pushing sustainability boundaries.
Building a Sustainable Packaging Strategy with Low VOC and Solvent-Free Options
Choosing the right adhesive technology is fundamental to implementing a sustainable packaging strategy. Here’s how packaging manufacturers can leverage water based and solvent free solutions:
1. Evaluate your Production Needs
Different adhesive formulations are required for different packaging applications. Solvent-free polyurethane systems benefit flexible films while paper packaging and lamination often excel with water-based acrylic formulations. Understanding substrate compatibility ensures optimal performance and sustainability outcomes.
2. Lesser Cost of Ownership
With lower material costs than solvent alternatives, water based adhesives maximise savings through reduced energy consumption, simpler equipment cleaning, lower facility maintenance, and decreased regulatory compliance expenses.
3. Minimal handling requirements
Compared to solvent based systems, water based adhesives require minimal special handling during storage and transportation. This simplification reduces logistics complexity and associated carbon emissions, creating additional sustainability value.
The Industry Shift: Why Water-Based Adhesives Are Becoming the Standard?
Globally, adhesive manufacturers and packaging suppliers are increasingly migrating to water-based, low-VOCs, and solvent-free systems due to an industry-wide shift created by multiple strong influences: Government regulations calling for reductions in VOCs; Consumer interest in sustainable products; Advocacy for safer working conditions; and Awareness that the application of “green” chemistry provides maximum effectiveness with no performance trade-offs.
Flexible packaging converters have indicated that solvent-free adhesives improve both their operational profitability and efficiency while maintaining key technical characteristics of very rapid curing time and extremely strong bond strength. Similarly, when using water-based adhesives, paper and board converters can produce their products faster and cleaner with less effect on the environment.
Modern consumers actively seek sustainable packaging. By transitioning to water based adhesive solutions and solvent free glue technologies, brands can capture competitor’s market share by marketing their environmental commitment.
Conclusion
Packaging manufacturers have the ability to significantly improve workers’ health, the environment and the safety and efficacy of the products they produce by developing innovative adhesive solutions. The introduction of sustainable packaging built on water-based adhesives, low-VOC formulations, and solvent-less materials enables packaging manufacturers to meet regulatory requirements. It also allows them to deliver products that meet or exceed customer expectations. In addition, these technologies help significantly reduce environmental impact.
Water-based adhesives technology has provided packaging companies with an opportunity to create sustainable packaging solutions without sacrificing performance. Today’s water-based adhesive formulations provide excellent bonding strength, high temperature resistance, excellent optical clarity, and FDA compliance for food safe applications while simultaneously decreasing the overall impact on the environment. The adoption of these innovative adhesive solutions will position packaging manufacturers at the forefront of a rapidly changing marketplace. It will also enable them to meet evolving customer demands. At the same time, they can comply with regulatory requirements and demonstrate strong environmental responsibility.
Sustainable packaging is not a future innovation; it is an innovation that has already emerged. Sustainable packaging powered by water-based adhesives and solvent-less adhesive solutions by Superbond are the proof that sustainability and excellence can progress simultaneously.