Bookbinding adhesives support paper recycling

Hotmelt adhesives with specific physical properties do not impact the waste paper recycling process.

Posted Mar 9, 2018

Paper recycling is one of the most prominent recycling process in Europe, with a recycling rate of more than 70%.
Adhesives are used for packaging and graphic arts (i.e. books, magazines, catalogues, brochures). They must be able to be applied in low-cost, high-speed processes and to survive long-term storage and repetitive stress.
The interference of adhesives on the recyclability of graphic arts was investigated in a joint project between INGEDE and IVK.
The physical properties of hotmelt adhesives that do not impact the recycling process were identified, allowing an easier selection of suitable adhesives without the need of individual testing.

For more details about this Good Practice, see the related document 'Hotmelts in paper converting'.

INDEGE: International Association of the De-inking Industry
IVK:Industrieverband Klebstoffe German Adhesives Association