What types of glue are available for paper sacks?

There are many different types of glue and they are suitable for different purposes. However, the main criteria are that the adhesive must meet the highest product requirements and must also be sustainable. There is a wide variety of paper sack glues. These can be categorised as either natural glues or synthetic glues. The latter include adhesives based on thermoplastics, elastomers and emulsions. Natural adhesives include glues based on tapioca, wheat, corn and potatoes. They are usually water-based. These natural glues are recommended because they are often biodegradable and a more sustainable option.

Benefits of natural starch-based glues

Potatoes are one of the best sustainable glue ingredients because starch has natural binding characteristics. This makes it the ideal basis for paper sack adhesives. One such natural starch-based glue is Novinexx CPB.

Some important performance and convenience benefits are:

• No paper penetration, resulting in fewer rejects.
• Low splash behaviour, so sacks open as intended. Another benefit of low splash is less cleaning time, resulting in less downtime.
• Less adhesive required due to high performance ingredients. The cost of use per sack is lower.
• Faster setting time, resulting in sacks ready to press and ship in 24-36 hours, saving on storage costs.
• Easy to handle powder and ready-to-use mix, saving time in the glue kitchen.
  
  

In terms of sustainability, there are two distinct advantages over conventional glues on the market:

• Readily biodegradable, contributing to bio-based, recyclable, compostable paper bags.
• Lower carbon footprint, reducing the environmental impact of the paper sack and its impact on the climate. 

Differences between paper sack and paper bag adhesives

Paper bags and paper sacks: they may seem similar, but in reality these two products are quite different. They are used for different purposes and therefore require a special type of biodegradable adhesive.

Paper bag adhesives: strong and reusable

Paper bags are most commonly used in the retail and food industries, such as fast food paper bags, block bottom bags, SOS bags, kraft paper bags and carrier bags. Plastic bags are no longer the norm with current environmental legislation. Paper bags need very strong bottoms that do not fall out easily and the bag needs to be reused. This requires an extra strong glue. Novinexx P130 is a specially formulated biodegradable paper bag adhesive with similar or better strength than PVA/EVA based alternatives. This high viscosity bottom paste has a thixotropic behaviour which means a good and stable flow to the line. The short chain length makes it suitable for speeds >600 bags/minute. It is a readily biodegradable adhesive, has a lower carbon footprint and no PVA, EVA, acrylic or biocides are added. This makes it a very sustainable glue.

Duynie: expert in biodegradable adhesives for paper sacks

Duynie has been a specialist in natural starch-based glues for several years. We produce our biodegradable adhesives in a sustainable way, using only potato starch co-products. This is part of our circular approach. Our paper bag and sack adhesives are used by manufacturers around the world. For paper bag glues, we can improve your process and create a greener adhesive portfolio with Novinexx P130, a cold water-soluble powder.