Pidilite displays bio-based hot-melt adhesives for end of line packaging

For F&B, end use applications include PET labelling, frozen foods, edible oils and cookies. When it comes to building materials, the applications include adhesives used in electric wire packing, while for pharma applications consist of carton sealing, leaflet pasting and more.

In a broader sense, Ganapati Hegde head of sales – end of line packaging and cigarettes segment, Pidilite Industries, spoke about what’s transpiring. He said, “Substrates are getting complex and we are having to modify products to cater to these substrates. On the other hand, lines are getting faster. Some of the old lines are getting phased out and new higher speed lines are coming up.”

He said, in such high-speed lines, the cost of failure is high. The third aspect when it comes to advancements is the use of raw materials, and compliance to sustainability standards. In terms of sustainability, Pidlite is offering bio-based hot melt adhesives. 50–80% of it is bio-based while the rest is polymeric raw materials.

One such offering is catered by Pidilite’s JV with Jowat’s global range of hot melts, which are manufactured in the Vapi factory for the Indian market. At the show, Pidilte also showcased its mineral oil-free grade adhesives, which prevents mineral oil from migrating into the product.

Pidilite is launching another product for recycled paper in end-use applications. Hegde said, “But in certain high-speed applications, especially in tray forming, it has its own challenges as recycled paper uses a lot of starch for improving functional properties. However, this starch creates a barrier for optimum glueing.” Hence, the company is coming up with specialised hotmelt adhesives for high-speed packing machines using trays made with recycled paper.

Pidilite also displayed a first of its kind hotmelt adhesive that operates at sub-100 DegC. Hegde said, “The product will enhance end-user safety and sharply reduce costs incurred in power consumption and equipment spares while having a positive impact on carbon footprint.”