Advances in Hot Melt Adhesives for Wrapround Labelling, 1998 Hot Melt Symposium Proceedings

The labelling of cans, bottles and jars is a process which has evolved into a demanding high speed operation. A number of techniques are available using aqueous adhesives but many modern high speed vertical machines use hot melt adhesives in a wrapround process. Ever faster machine speeds are continually being sought and these physical demands alone test the performance of the hot melt. In addition, the same grade of hot melt is often required to perform well when applied using several different techniques.

With the availability of suitable modern polymers, many containers are now made from plastics which offer chemical resistance, clarity and light weight. On the downside, they are less polar and more difficult to bond to than glass. Similarly, in an effort to enhance product image, sophisticated labelling materials offer a further challenge to the adhesive chemist.

Environmental legislation can impose further requirements on labelling hot melts in countries where the law demands the re-use or recycling of PET bottles, and the product itself may affect the endurance of the hot melt as exemplified by carbonated beverages in PET. Other external factors will continue to sustain the ongoing development of hot melt labelling adhesives.