In recent years we have received an increasing demand due to various economic, environmental and social influences, for adhesive products which when used in combination with films and hybrid inks will allow convertors to produce compostable flexible packaging and film/paper composites. We now have an adhesive system which has passed the tests in accordance with EN13432 regulations and are able to offer customers compostable adhesive solutions or what many call "green glue". These products have already attracted the attention of numerous blue chip companies Worldwide.

 

Our water-based adhesive product ST6093G plus cross-linker ST6097 has been tested by OWS in Belgium and proven to meet the EN13432 standard. This means that it is compostable by industrial means and additionally our "green glue" is also approved for indirect food contact  Our development work has been greatly aided through our technical relationship with Bangor University; a UK centre of excellence in this field, as well as Innovia Films, Sun Chemical & Clarifoil, in addition to this we are also working to develop 'home compostable' adhesives.

Our adhesive products serve as a high performance and environmentally friendly alternative for convertors. This coupled with our bespoke approach to adhesive formulation and development means that we can tailor our products to the customer's machine and precise application to ensure optimum performance. 

Why compostable / biodegradable?

• Industrial composting is a solution to the harmful emission, environmental, financial and practical costs of the ticking time bomb that is landfill sites.

• A more environmentally friendly and efficient solution to solvent based and solvent-free technology for flexible packaging.

• Allows more complex film/film, film/foil & film/paper composites to be composted such as sandwich boxes.

• Corporate image enhanced by eco friendly efforts.

• Increasing demand from major retailers, emerging as a rapidly growing market.

 

Product Areas

• Flexible packaging - We can offer convertors high performance compostable alternatives to solvent based and solvent free technology, capable of bonding film to film, film to foil & film/foil to paper. Please request our flexible packaging presentation for more information.

• Glossy film lamination - Our products can serve as compostable solutions for the print finishing industry. Please request our film to print laminating presentation for more information.

• Composite paper / film packaging - sandwich boxes & juice cartons.

 

EN13432 Standard

• OWS carried out the following tests in line with EN13432. 90% of the overall mass must be converted to CO2 within 180 days. Scitech's product achieved this standard easily.  PASSED

• A test measures that the adhesive does not have heavy metal content in excess of the maximum levels as stipulated by EN13432. Scitech's product easily passed this test. PASSED

• An ecotoxicity test measures the germination rate and the plant biomass in the test compost, which should be more than 90% of those in the corresponding blank compost. Within the specifications of EN13432 our products exerted no negative effect on the emergence and growth of barley and cress plants. PASSED

 

What we can offer

We specialise in bringing innovative projects to fruition and work closely with our customers to formulate bespoke solutions that open new markets and improve competitiveness. Our team have an extensive technical background and always seek to improve manufacturing processes by paying great attention to the machine, application method, substrates and end use requirements.

We welcome the opportunity to assist customers with any projects or future development plans and are proactive in finding solutions to challenges surrounding compostable products. If you would like to talk to us or require any additional information regarding biodegradable and compostable adhesives then please either e-mail green@scitech-adhesives.co.uk or contact our head office.