Hot Melt Adhesive Application In The Shoemaking Industry, 2003 PLACE Conference & GLOBAL HOT MELT Symposium

Conventional hot melt adhesives based on Amorphous Poly-Olefins (APO’s), Styrenic Block Copolymers (SBC’s), Ethylene Vinyl-Acetates (EVA’s), Polyamides (PA’s), and Polyesters (PET’s) have been widely used in the shoemaking industry in Asian Countries since 1996. These hot melt adhesives are currently applied with uniquely designed bench-top hot-melt applicators in accordance with individual shoe manufacturer’s assembly process and performance requirements.

Recently developed PUR (Reactive Polyurethane) adhesive applicators accompanied with improved set speed and high green strength of PUR adhesives, have allowed PUR adhesives to become important alternatives for conventional solvent based Polyurethanes. Newly developed PUR adhesives are primarily used to bond outsole and midsole of sports shoes.

The application methods of hot melt adhesives including PUR adhesives are demonstrated via a series of photos and videos from a typical sports shoe assembly line.