Beijing Comens New Materials Co., Ltd.
Beijing Comens New Materials Co., Ltd.

How Solventless Lamination Adhesives Improve Packaging Appearance

Jun 10 , 2024

In today's rapidly changing packaging industry, the requirements for materials are becoming increasingly stringent, especially concerning environmental protection, performance, and appearance. Solventless lamination adhesives, as an advanced material, are playing an important role in enhancing packaging appearance with their unique advantages.


Difference Between Solventless lamination adhesive and Solvent-Based Lamination


When it comes to packaging, one of the key considerations is understanding the difference between solvent based and solventless lamination adhesive. Solvent-based lamination involves the use of adhesives dissolved in solvents. The solvent based adhesive for flexible packaging is applied to one substrate, and the solvent evaporates, leaving behind a strong bond once the second substrate is applied. The solventless adhesive lamination process uses adhesives without any solvents, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective solution. This solvent-free lamination applies a thin layer of adhesive directly onto the substrate using specialized equipment. The bond forms as the adhesive cures, eliminating the need for solvent evaporation or drying.


Both methods have their unique advantages and are suitable for different applications. The difference between solvent based and solventless lamination adhesives lies in their adhesive composition, environmental impact, cost, and application suitability. By understanding these differences between solventless lamination adhesive and solvent-based lamination, businesses can make informed decisions to optimize their packaging processes and meet sustainability goals. As production costs for solvent-free lamination decrease due to technological advancements, these solvent-free lamination adhesives will become more accessible to businesses of all sizes.


Solventless lamination adhesives: a perfect combination of environmental protection and performance


Solventless lamination adhesives, as a type of solventless environmentally friendly material, not only possess excellent adhesive properties but also significantly reduce VOC emissions during the production process, thereby enhancing the sustainability of the production environment. In the production of multi-layer flexible packaging, these solvent-free lamination adhesives bond various material layers to provide the packaging with barrier properties, ink absorption, structural toughness, and other multifunctional characteristics.


In recent years, the solventless adhesive lamination process has gained significant traction due to its eco-friendly and efficient nature. The rise of environmentally friendly packaging solutions has made solvent-free lamination a preferred choice for many industries. The solventless adhesive lamination process not only reduces the environmental footprint but also boosts production efficiency and enhances the appearance of the final product. With advancements in solvent less adhesive formulations, this method is becoming increasingly versatile, catering to a wide range of packaging needs.


The key to enhancing packaging appearance: the precise application of solventless lamination adhesives


In the pursuit of aesthetically pleasing packaging, the precise application of solventless lamination adhesives is crucial. By optimizing parameters such as adhesive selection, coating weight, lamination machine temperature, and tension settings, a smooth and flawless packaging appearance can be ensured. For instance, appropriately increasing the coating weight can enhance adhesive strength, but over-coating should be avoided to prevent issues like blurriness and bubbles. Furthermore, proper temperature and tension settings can ensure uniform distribution and good wetting of the adhesive on the substrate.


Addressing common appearance issues with solventless lamination adhesives


In practical applications, solventless lamination adhesives may encounter some common appearance issues such as voids, de-gassing, bubbles, tunneling, blurriness, and ink bleeding. These issues can be addressed by adjusting the adhesive formula, improving pretreatment processes, and optimizing lamination machine settings. For example, increasing the surface energy of substrates or adjusting the wet surface tension of the adhesive can improve the wettability and flowability of the adhesive on the substrate, thereby reducing the occurrence of bubbles and voids. Additionally, controlling lamination pressure and coating weight can effectively prevent tunneling and blurriness.


Future prospects: the broad prospects of solventless lamination adhesives in the packaging industry


With the continuous increase in environmental awareness and consumers' growing attention to packaging appearance, the application prospects of solventless lamination adhesives in the packaging industry will be even broader. In the future, we can expect more innovative solventless lamination adhesives to emerge, bringing more environmentally friendly, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solutions to the packaging industry. Concurrently, with continuous technological advancement and cost reduction, solventless lamination adhesives will become more widespread, becoming a significant force in driving the sustainable development of the packaging industry.


The difference between solvent based and solventless lamination adhesive lies at the heart of the shift toward sustainable packaging. As consumer demand for eco-friendly solutions grows, the solventless adhesive lamination process will continue to gain momentum. With ongoing advancements in solvent less adhesive formulations, businesses can look forward to more innovative, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing solutions. Looking ahead, the difference between solvent based and solventless lamination adhesive will continue to drive innovation in adhesive technologies.