H.B. Fuller launches compostable adhesives for flexible packaging

According to the company, the flexible packaging industry is focused on addressing end-of-life issues, such as recyclability and composability. The adhesive holds the entire structure together and, to make the whole package compostable, the adhesive must also be compostable.

The new Flextra Evolution SF1000CP/XR2000CP is a 2K solventless adhesive that offers excellent design benefits, such as sound-dampening and adhesion to a variety of biodegradable film substrates from bar wrap to snack packaging.

The second product, Flextra Evolution WB1200CP/XR2200CP, is a water-based two-part system developed especially for paper-to-film laminations. It is fully compostable according to EN13432, ASTM D6400 standards, and is certified through the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI), North America's certifier of compostable products packaging.

‘When people ask for a compostable adhesive, what they are likely asking for is a package with components that can be composted, and now, this can be brought to life with the help of our compostable adhesives throughout the supply chain,’ said Wayne Eklund, research scientist at H.B. Fuller. 

‘These new solutions from our Flextra Evolution product line have similar performance to conventional multi-layer packaging adhesives, show great printability and appearance, and work seamlessly with standard equipment. Most importantly, in industrial composting facilities, the adhesives decompose with no toxic residue, microplastics, or other pollutants,’ concluded Eklund.