It’s time to address the myths – just how do biodegradable hot melt adhesives like Tecbond 214B stack up against traditional formulations?
With brands and their manufacturers facing growing pressure to reduce their environmental impact, the demand for more sustainable packaging solutions has never been higher. However, several persistent myths remain – particularly the idea that ‘biodegradable’ means sacrificing performance. Let’s set the record straight and examine how innovations like Tecbond 214B are debunking these misconceptions.
Myth: Biodegradable adhesives don’t perform like conventional ones
One of the most common myths around biodegradable hot melt adhesives is that their formulation makes them inherently weaker or less reliable than traditional hot melts. However, with today’s advanced formulations, this simply is no longer the case.
Tecbond 214B for example is based on the best-selling Tecbond 214 grade and is engineered to match the performance of conventional hot melt adhesives. It delivers strong, reliable bonds on a wide variety of paper and cardboard substrates, making it ideal for a vast range of packaging applications. The high tack and fast setting speed means you can seal more cartons in less time, and with no need for extended holding or clamping periods after compression.
As a result, Tecbond 214B offers a viable replacement for other adhesives as well as staples and tapes in cardboard bonding, providing a low cost per closure and supporting high volume manufacturing.
You don’t just have to take our word for it – certified to ASTM D6400, EN13432, ASTM D6954 and ASTM D6866 standards, Tecbond 214B has been rigorously tested to ensure it retains the adhesive properties of other hot melt adhesives while still being fully biodegradable.
Myth: Switching to biodegradable adhesives requires major equipment upgrades
Another widespread belief is that switching to biodegradable adhesives requires costly new equipment or disruptive changes to production lines. In reality, hot melts like Tecbond 214B are designed for easy integration and are available in all standard stick formats. This product is also designed to be compatible with existing Tec glue guns and bulk hot melt systems without needing special modifications. This means you can transition to a more sustainable adhesive solution without the expense or downtime of retooling your operations.
Myth: Biodegradable adhesives have no effect on a product’s environmental impact
Some sceptics argue that adhesives form such a small part of packaging that switching to biodegradable formulations makes no or little difference to sustainability. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. If traditional adhesives escape recycling streams they can leave behind microplastics and residues that persist in the environment.
In contrast, Tecbond 214B is formulated with 45% bio-based, sustainably sourced materials and breaks down naturally in the presence of oxygen, UV light, and heat – leaving behind only non-harmful products. This helps to reduce waste and helps to ensure that adhesives don’t undermine the sustainability of packaging.
Stick to the facts
Today’s advanced adhesives mean the need for trade-offs between sustainability and performance is over. Biodegradable hot melt formulations like Tecbond 214B offer the same strength, speed, and reliability as traditional formulations with a minimal environmental impact. By making the switch, you gain access to a powerful tool for meeting your sustainability goals – so what are you waiting for?
To find out more about how these biodegradable formulations can help support the future of your business, get in touch with our sales team by emailing sales@poweradhesives.com
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