Scientists at Newcastle University in England have developed a reversible glue that can be separated on demand, making packaging materials easier to recycle.
The water-based emulsion can bond dissimilar materials and is suitable for laminates and bottle labels.
It also works on PP and PE and has a shelf-life of at least a year at room temperature.
Dr Adriana Sierra-Romero, research associate at the School of Engineering and first author of the paper, said: “Reversible adhesives are starting to attract attention in the industry. They’re not yet mainstream, but we expect adoption to grow as companies look for more sustainable solutions.”
Streamlining recycling
Researchers incorporated clays into the formulation. These are typically used to thicken adhesives and prevent dripping, but in this glue they also help trigger debonding without the need for multiple formulations.
This approach creates a single reversible glue, potentially streamlining recycling processes.
Katarina Novakovic, professor of polymer engineering and co-investigator on the project, said: “It’s more critical than ever to develop technologies that will enable net zero targets and our glue is doing exactly that.”
The glue is made from low-cost materials and does not lose strength in humid environments, supporting large-scale use in packaging.
It adds to recent industry developments, such as Fedrigoni’s Wet Glue Collection and Henkel’s Technomelt EM 335 RE, both aimed at improving packaging recyclability and compliance with recycling regulations.
