Dow Introduces Faster Curing Solventless and Bio-based Compostable Adhesive

Horgen, Switzerland -- Dow Europe GmbH ("Dow") announced the introduction of three new adhesives for the packaging industry. Dow thus expands its broad offering of performance adhesives for packaging applications with the new fast bond MOR-FREE L716-FB+CR121 Coreactant adhesive, the new faster curing solventless MOR-FREE ELM L425+CR78-550 Coreactant adhesive, and the bio-based compostable ADCOTE BL 1001-BCR1001 adhesive. These new solutions are specifically designed to bring high performance features to enable faster lamination processing.

ADCOTE BL1001-BCR 1001: combining performance and sustainability

The new bio-based compostable ADCOTE BL1001-BCR 1001 adhesive offers a performance that is both efficient and sustainable, broadening customers choice of innovative options for a range of flexible packaging applications, including dry foods and snacks.

"The introduction of this new adhesive is aligned with Dows commitment to innovation and results naturally from the combination of Dows technical expertise and market demand for solutions that address performance needs," said Margherita Fontana, Marketing Manager Packaging Adhesives, Dow Performance Packaging. "This is the first bio-based compostable adhesive in our portfolio, enabling converters to deliver compostable structures and brand owners to respond to increased demand from consumers for more environmentally-friendly packaging."

This new bio-based compostable adhesive also demonstrates an improved biodegradability compared with cellulose, meeting the criteria set out in The European Standard EN13432 for packaging recoverable throughout composting and biodegradation.

Today, Dow is also announcing the expansion of its range of solventless adhesives with the addition of two MOR-FREE solutions, meeting market demands for adhesives that offer a combination of speed, safety and performance.

MOR-FREE L716-FB + CR121 Coreactant: for faster slitting time

The new MOR-FREE L716-FB + CR121 Coreactant adhesive offers customers an advanced performance option, combining higher line speeds, easy handling and a faster time to market for a wide range of packaging applications requiring general to medium performance, such as dry goods, snacks or confectionery. "This adhesive enables laminators to benefit from lower inventory," added Margherita Fontana. "Brand owners also win, with an opportunity to make their inventory turnaround faster."

Line speeds of 400 mpm and a faster slitting time of 6 hours are achievable for more efficient production. Furthermore, this adhesive offers a faster PAA (Primary Aromatic Amines) decay when compared with conventional solventless adhesives. Fast cure technology allows a full chemical cure to be completed in 3-5 days, allowing converters to achieve more rapid fulfillment.

The 100% solids formulation of the MOR-FREE L716-FB + CR121 Coreactant adhesive helps improve the overall Life Cycle Inventory.

MOR-FREE ELM L425+CR78-550 Coreactant: for faster curing lamination

The new MOR-FREE ELM L425+CR78-550 Coreactant adhesive can combine extreme low monomer technology with a fast curing process for a wide range of applications with medium to high performance lamination requirements. These include film and foil laminations, but also more complicated structures for hot fill or pasteurization.

"For most structures laminated using this new adhesive, the total cure time is lower, enabling laminators to achieve a faster and more flexible supply chain," explains Margherita Fontana. "The MOR-FREE ELM technology helps reduce the environmental impact of the lamination, generating 87% less CO₂ emissions and 85% less energy consumption than solvent-based solutions."

Fast bond developing of just 8-12 hours and an ultra fast PAA decay of 24 hours help meet limits defined by BfR. Offering one of the lowest monomer content in a solventless technology, at below 0.1%, the adhesive enables faster food packaging.

Live product demonstrations at Drupa 2012

Visitors at Drupa 2012 (Düsseldorf, May 3 - 16) can experience daily demonstrations of the MOR-FREE L715A+C102 solventless adhesive from Dow being processed live at one of Nordmeccanicas laminating lines. Visit Nordmeccanicas Stand B42 in Hall 15.

About Dow

Dow (NYSE: DOW) combines the power of science and technology to passionately innovate what is essential to human progress. The Company connects chemistry and innovation with the principles of sustainability to help address many of the worlds most challenging problems such as the need for clean water, renewable energy generation and conservation, and increasing agricultural productivity. Dows diversified industry-leading portfolio of specialty chemical, advanced materials, agrosciences and plastics businesses delivers a broad range of technology-based products and solutions to customers in approximately 160 countries and in high growth sectors such as electronics, water, energy, coatings and agriculture. In 2011, Dow had annual sales of 60 billion and employed approximately 52,000 people worldwide. The Companys more than 5,000 products are manufactured at 197 sites in 36 countries across the globe. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.