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Author: James Clarke

Insights from JEC World 2025

Written by James Clarke on . Posted in Company, Exhibitions, Vactac. No Comments on Insights from JEC World 2025

JEC World 2025 proved to be an exciting and insightful event for Power Adhesives, as we showcased our latest innovation, the new and improved Vactac range. The show was extremely busy, with a strong turnout from across the composites industry, reinforcing the growing demand for efficient, reliable, and sustainability led bonding solutions.

Addressing VOC concerns

One of the key themes emerging from conversations at JEC World was the increasing focus on reducing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in adhesive applications. Many visitors to the Power Adhesives stand expressed concerns about the impact of VOCs on employee health and workplace safety.

Prolonged exposure to VOCs has been linked to respiratory issues, skin irritation, and other health risks, making it a pressing issue for manufacturers aiming to create safer working environments. Additionally, with growing regulatory pressures, businesses are being urged to reduce their reliance on solvent-based adhesives that release harmful emissions.

As a result, manufacturers across multiple sectors are actively looking for effective alternatives to traditional adhesives that offer high performance without compromising on worker well-being or regulatory compliance.

Our Vactac range, designed as a high-performance alternative to aerosol adhesives, eliminates VOCs while maintaining exceptional bonding strength. Unlike solvent-based sprays, Vactac provides a sustainability-focused controlled application that enhances efficiency.

Enhancing composite strength

Another recurring discussion our team found themselves having with visitors to the stand centred on the degradation of composite strength caused by certain aerosol adhesives. Several manufacturers raised concerns about how the use of some aerosol technologies can affect resin flow in the infusion process which can result in poor structural integrity once cured.

This is where Vactac stands out, its unique chemistry and application method ensures less degradation/reduced mechanical knockdowns in the laminate once cured. The precision and efficiency of our system captured the interest of a lot of design and manufacturing engineers looking for superior performance in critical applications.

Expanding applications beyond wind and marine

While wind energy and marine industries remain core sectors for composite applications, JEC World highlighted a growing demand for high-quality adhesives across a range of industries, including automotive, rail, aerospace, and construction.

Across this diverse range of industries, we are presented with many interesting and complex challenges which we are keen to work on and create innovative solutions.

Recognising the evolution of Vactac

The Power Adhesives team found it particularly rewarding to meet with distributors and customers who had previously trialled the Vactac system several years ago. Many of them were quick to notice the improvements in adhesive pattern and performance, demonstrating how our ongoing research and development have refined and enhanced the product. Their recognition of Vactac’s evolution reaffirmed our commitment to continuous innovation in composite bonding solutions.

JEC World 2025 reinforced the industry’s movement towards safer, more effective, and sustainability centred adhesive technologies. The enthusiasm and feedback our team received for the Vactac range was overwhelmingly positive, and we are excited to support businesses in transitioning to VOC-free, high-performance bonding solutions.

50 years of innovation at Power Adhesives

Written by James Clarke on . Posted in Company. No Comments on 50 years of innovation at Power Adhesives

For half a century, Power Adhesives has been setting benchmarks in adhesive technology. The company’s world-leading hot melts and applicators are firmly established as leading solutions across a range of markets, supporting customers worldwide to improve efficiency and sustainability with eco-conscious, easy-to-use solutions.

As it celebrates its 50th anniversary, Power Adhesives remains as committed to innovation as ever. This milestone is more than a celebration of its past achievements – it marks a pivotal moment in the company’s goal of driving innovation in the adhesives industry.

50 years of innovation

Although Power Adhesives today is renowned as a leading manufacturer of industrial adhesive solutions, its history did not start this way. Founded in 1974, the company began as an importer and distributor of industrial hot melt glue guns and adhesives. It wasn’t until 1981 that Power Adhesives took its first step into manufacturing, establishing its own plant for adhesive production and creating its own designs for new applicators.

The intervening years have seen the company grow to become a leading supplier for high-performance, reliable adhesive solutions and technology, and this success saw it relocate to a larger production facility in Basildon in early 2005 that could better accommodate new machinery and line extensions. Eight years later, this area was extended again, introducing an additional 12,000 new sq. ft that bolstered its production capacity by 60%.

In 2022, Power Adhesives was purchased by Longacre Group and new CEO Brendan Colgan joined the business. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength and today Power Adhesives’ major brands – Tec and Tecbond – are household names in the adhesive industry.

Applicator products

Power Adhesives offers the largest industrial applicator range on the market. Used around the world in various industrial, professional, and DIY environments, the company’s Tec products are stalwart partners for adhesive applications everywhere.

The 300 series provides a lower-volume applicator solution. Designed for DIY and light industrial applications, the Tec 305 and Tec 308 are lightweight and easy to use, making them perfect for tasks requiring smaller amounts of adhesive.  The 800 series doubles the output of the 300 series to take hot melt bonding to the next level. From the light industrial Tec 806-12 to the heavy-duty Tec 830-12 with an output of 2.5kg/hr, this range provides added efficiency.

For more demanding applications, Power Adhesives has developed its 3000, 6000, and 7000 series applicators, ensuring the company has the ideal solution for its customers whatever their requirements. Built to the highest standards at Power Adhesives’ production facility, the Tec range is a landmark product for the industry that has for decades redefined how hot melts are used.

Adhesives

For more than 40 years of its 50-year history, Power Adhesives has been supplying Tecbond hot melt adhesives to its customers. Designed to provide instant, permanent bonds on a wide range of materials, Tecbond products simplify the adhesive process, paving the way for efficiency in industries including:

  • Packaging and print
  • Construction and trade
  • Industrial and manufacturing
  • Product assembly
  • DIY, home, and recreation

More recently, the company demonstrated its commitment to advancing adhesive technology by launching Tecbond 214B, the world’s first fully certified biodegradable shaped hot melt adhesive. Made with 45% bio-based materials, this formulation breaks down harmlessly post-disposal leaving behind no residues or microplastics. This offers a more sustainable adhesive for hot melt applications that maintains high performance standards.

Using the same data-driven R&D expertise and approach that drove the success of Tecbond 214B, Power Adhesives has also made significant advancements in adhesive solutions for composites manufacturing. This has culminated in the launch of its Vactac advanced solution. Serving as a direct replacement for solvent-based spray adhesives, the Vactac adhesive system offers a more cost-effective and environmentally conscious alternative based on 100% solids, which eliminates VOC emissions and removes the need for special storage conditions when not in use.

Looking ahead

As Power Adhesives enters its sixth decade, it remains focused on advancing hot melt adhesive technology while keeping an eye on the environment. The company plans to expand its Tecbond biodegradable adhesives into bulk systems and will continue to refine existing product lines. With five decades of expertise under its belt, Power Adhesives is poised to keep pushing the forefront of adhesives, delivering reliable products that meet evolving market needs.

Biodegradable adhesives: A step towards more sustainable packaging

Written by James Clarke on . Posted in Applications, New products, Packaging & Print. No Comments on Biodegradable adhesives: A step towards more sustainable packaging

Every journey starts with a single step – and on the path towards sustainability in the packaging industry, some steps leave a smaller carbon footprint than others. With waste reduction increasingly important to modern Paper & Board converters, biodegradable hot melt adhesives are emerging as a key enabler for more sustainable packaging solutions.

The Power Adhesives Tecbond range, including Tecbond 214B and the new Tecbond 110B-PR, is leading the way on reducing the industry’s environmental impact, offering more eco-conscious adhesive solutions for the Paper & Board industry.

The role of biodegradable adhesives in more sustainable packaging

Power Adhesives has achieved a significant milestone with the development of Tecbond 214B, the world’s first fully certified biodegradable range of hot melt adhesives. Manufactured with 45% bio-based materials, Tecbond 214B is designed for use across various paper and board substrates and meets stringent international standards such as ASTM D6400 and EN13432, which certify its compostability and ability to biodegrade.

Tecbond 214B offers:

  • High performance with the same bond strength as conventional hot melts
  • Fast setting time with almost instant bonding upon application and compression
  • Environmental benefits by breaking down completely when exposed to natural conditions, leaving behind no harmful by-products
  • Versatility with approval for indirect food contact, making it suitable for applications including wrap-around cartons, boxes, and shipping packages

However, waste is not the only concern when it comes to the environment. To support converters in minimising energy consumption, Power Adhesives has launched Tecbond 110B-PR – a high-speed packaging adhesive designed specifically for case sealing and carton closing. Its low viscosity formulation enables the adhesive to run through narrow nozzles, even when applied at lower temperatures. This means converters can use less energy for sealing and closing, saving them money as well as reducing their carbon footprint.

How do biodegradable hot melt adhesives work?

The science behind biodegradable hot melt adhesives lies in their ability to break down after their operational lifespan. Oxygen, UV light, and heat initiate the degradation of the adhesive’s long-chain polymers so that the substance can be consumed by micro-organisms. This process requires only the continued presence of oxygen and other naturally occurring environmental conditions and leaves behind no harmful byproducts.

The innovative design of Tecbond biodegradable hot melts ensures that they not only perform reliably during use but also contribute positively to waste reduction efforts after disposal. These products align with circular economy principles by facilitating complete decomposition, and support packaging converters to demonstrate their commitment to the environment without sacrificing efficiency or product quality.

A vision for the future

Power Adhesives’ commitment to sustainability extends beyond its current product range. With further biodegradable adhesive launches planned in 2025, the company aims to lead by example in developing innovative hot melt adhesive solutions that address key sticking points in the packaging industry.

The introduction of Tecbond 214B and Tecbond 110B-PR marks a pivotal moment in hot melt adhesive technology. These products empower converters to meet growing demands for more eco-conscious packaging, while aligning with requirements around compostability and biodegradability. By choosing biodegradable adhesives from Power Adhesives, converters can take an important step towards packaging that is functional and environmentally responsible.