Franklin Adhesives & Polymers Takes Center Stage for Role in Recycling Compatible Adhesives Franklin Adhesives & Polymers played a starring role in a recent article in Label & Narrow Web as a leader in the development of recycling compatible adhesives, or RCAs. The article, “Recycling Compatible Adhesives,” by Steve Katz, appeared in the July/August 2009 issue of Label & Narrow Web. It explores the development of RCAs to enable recycling of paper labels that does not result in issues for paper recycling mills. Conventional pressure sensitive adhesives can cause problems for mills using recycled paper pulp. During recycling, the paper pulper shreds the adhesives into small particles that pass through the screens behind the pulper. These particles can result in “stickies” that builds up on process equipment during the manufacture of paper, causing downtime and related cleanup costs as well as possible defects in the final paper products. In fact, stickies from conventional adhesives in recycled paper can cost paper companies as much as $850 million per year, according to Katz. The article devotes a half-page to our role in the development of RCAs to overcome processing problems. We gained RCA certification in part as a result of a joint research project with the University of Minnesota, which was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy to reduce or eliminate residual adhesives from waste paper during recycling. The university found that three of our formulas are easily removed from paper during re-pulping. We offer two FPL-certified recycling compatible adhesives: Covinax 324-39 and Covinax 379-05. Covinax 324-39 is a vinyl acrylic co-polymer for general-purpose permanent pressure sensitive adhesives on labels and tapes. It is used for corrugated substrates, polyolefin films, glass and metals and can be transfer-coated on most rod, gravure or roller coaters. FPL-certified Covinax 379-05 is an acrylic adhesive for permanent pressure sensitive application, including pharmaceutical label applications requiring adhesion to curved or irregularly shaped surfaces. The balance between peel and shear strength also renders this formula easily convertible to rolls or sheets. It is specifically designed to be transfer-coated on slot die coaters and can be used on most rod or roll coats. Mike Witte, manager of our division’s pressure sensitive adhesive business, states in the article that because Franklin incurred no development costs to achieve recycling compatibility, our RCAs are very cost-effective, making it easier for you to use recyclable adhesives on the labels you manufacture to benefit the paper industry – and the world. FOR MORE INFORMATION To gain a fuller understanding of RCAs, take a moment to read RECYCLING COMPATIBLE ADHESIVES. If you need additional information or guidance, feel free to contact us at 614.445.1337 or via email at marketing@franklininternational.com. You can also visit the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institute (TLMI) Web site at www.tlmi.com/recyling-standards.php. |