Follmann and its subsidiary Sealock have developed a sustainable adhesive made from bio-based raw materials for bonding compostable plastic coatings.
Climate change makes a Rethinking This is essential both in industry and politics as well as for consumers. An important global goal is to move away from fossil fuels and reduce CO2 emissions significantly. With its newly developed adhesive made from regenerative raw materials Follmann offers its customers the opportunity to purchase fully compostable and therefore Environmentally friendly products produce.
In Germany alone, according to a recent study by the Federal Environment Agency 2.8 billion disposable coffee-to-go cups consumed every year, including 40 per cent pure plastic cups and 60 per cent paper cups, which, however, are coated and glued with plastic on the inside and are therefore similar to the paper cups. Disposable plastic cups are not environmentally friendly are.
Environmentally friendly adhesive
To make disposable paper cups fully compostable, it is necessary to switch to a Environmentally friendly material for the interior coating This also applies to the adhesive. Follmann and its subsidiary Sealock have been working on the development of such an adhesive.
George Thomas, Technical R&D Manager at the Sealock Group, took an in-depth look at various Organic raw materials, the associated supply chains and the potential for innovation.
„The challenge was to find suitable Renewable raw materials which can also be used for adhesive applications and adhesive production on an industrial scale. Based on intensive research and work on this topic, we have finally succeeded in developing a to develop a new bio-based, thermoplastic adhesive, which is suitable for bonding the environmentally friendly inner coating of paper cups, among other things. This Sustainable alternative replaces the previous, environmentally harmful bonding of the coatings.“
George Thomas, Technical R&D Manager at the Sealock Group
The adhesive contains bio-based polymers are generated from renewable sources such as Sugar cane or maize produced. The advantage is that bio-based, renewable raw materials can reduce CO2 emissions compared to fossil raw materials in the supply chain. The overall product therefore makes a positive contribution to climate protection.
Versatile application possible
However, the use in coffee-to-go cups is only one of many possible applications. Possible applications. As a result of the resolution passed by the European Parliament in October 2018 legislative proposal, certain Plastic products to be banned from 2021 such as drinking straws and disposable crockery and cutlery, manufacturers are under pressure to develop and produce environmentally friendly alternatives. Even for these, such as Paper drinking straws, but also for different types of packaging such as Breakfast cereals the new sustainable adhesive can be used.
„To the Protecting the environment and from Responsibility towards current and future generations we see it as our duty to offer our customers sustainable products and solutions. We are therefore delighted to be able to supply an environmentally friendly product with our new bio-based thermoplastic adhesive and at the same time make an important contribution to our customers' sustainability. Contribution to the circular economy to be able to afford it.“
Dr Jörn Küster, Managing Director of Follmann
Source: Follmann Chemie GmbH
