Adhesive supplier Henkel and DaniMer Scientific, LLC have formed an alliance to develop hot-melt adhesives for packaging that use bio-based raw materials. The initial target for these bio-based hot-melt adhesives will be the consumer packaging market including applications of end of line and labeling.
The alliance will combine Henkel's expertise in hot-melt adhesive formulation, application, and global footprint, with DaniMer's expertise in biopolymer science, proprietary production capabilities and the company's bio-based technology platform. The intended ambition of this alliance is to bring to the marketplace a technology platform that includes a family of bio-based hot-melt adhesive formulations supplied globally.
"A large number of our customers in the consumer packaging industry have publicized projects to drive sustainability initiatives such as reducing carbon footprint of packaging materials, delivering on consumer driven environmental initiatives, and diversifying supply chains for packaging materials," says Gary Raykovitz, senior vice-president product development, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. "Henkel and DaniMer, working together to solve these issues is yet another confirmation that we will consistently deliver genuinely innovative technologies that enhance our customers' efforts to achieve their sustainability goals."
Challenge for the use of renewable materials in adhesive formulations
"We are listening to our customers and Henkel is always seeking solutions to meet our customers' needs," says John Rye, vice-president, consumer packaging group, Henkel Adhesive Technologies. "Given the technology challenge for the use of renewable materials in adhesive formulations, we chose to partner with DaniMer who has consistently demonstrated leadership in bio-based material innovation by providing both performance and value. We believe this technology, along with a range of other technologies Henkel is working on, will also play a role in assisting customers in reducing their dependence on petroleum based materials in their packaging operations."
DaniMer's innovative technology platform for bio-based hot-melt adhesives meets the needs that customers have been asking for including being manufactured with a significant use of renewably sourced materials while supporting health and safety requirements for use of these materials in packaging applications.
Full family of bio-based hot-melt adhesives
"The renewably sourced feedstocks that we use to produce these specific hot-melt adhesives are not derived from any direct food chain resources," says Daniel Carraway, CEO and founder of DaniMer Scientific. "They are also unique in that we have enabled the use of recycled renewable content in certain adhesive grades which allows us to further diversify our supply chain."
"The alliance announced today between Henkel and DaniMer will include development of a full family of bio-based hot-melt adhesives that can be applied to a wide range of customer operating needs, including general purpose end of line, high performance end of line, labeling, and even specialized applications such as frozen food packaging."
The alliance expects the first products in the platform to be ready for market launch in the first half of 2013.