Connecting innovations with changing needs

When we talk about providing a total package to the industry, we mean much more than a portfolio of adhesives for almost all packaging applications. It's about exploring and connecting every aspect of the packaging process, and combining our adhesive expertise with customers' operational insights to create complete solutions.

Close partnerships with customers and equipment manufacturers is essential to understanding market challenges, feeding the development of products to meet manufacturers specific needs so they can deliver packaging brands can be proud of.

Confident connections for the latest substrates
Recently launched, Advantra 9271 premium hot-melt adhesive offers trouble-free bonding on new lightweight, coated and grease-resistant boards, as well as on substrates containing high levels of recycled materials. Extensive testing at high line speeds shows that Advantra 9271 bonds surfaces quickly and with minimal need for counter pressure. In addition, the adhesive copes well with extreme hot and cold temperatures, delivering confidence that boxes will stay closed.

Market demand for retail ready solutions, easy opening systems and reinforcement technology continues to grow. To help keep customers ahead of the competition, H.B. Fuller has enhanced its opening and reinforcement tape range. This year saw the launch of its dry end tape, bringing productivity benefits to the dry end, while maintaining a high level of operator safety. For retail-ready items, not only can corrugators die-cut into the tape for effortless, guided opening, but the clean edge and lack of slitting means that the box has a superior appearance in-store. What's more, even heavy boards can be opened with ease, thanks to the tape's high tensile strength. As for reinforcing stress areas, such as hand-holes and carry-handles, this same fibre-reinforced strength ensures that the products remain intact.

Swift tak
This range of water-based adhesives for glass bottle labelling is formulated with innovative polymers that deliver the proven adhesive performance expec­ted throughout the life of the bottle.

The high wet tack levels achieved during labelling ensures the label is quickly and securely fixed, even on cold, wet bottles. The levels of resistance to condensed water and ice water maintain performance throughout the supply and during consumer use. Then when the bottle is returned, the label and adhesive are easily washed-off using typical washing conditions to leave you with bottles ready to be refilled.

All this performance can be achieved with lower coatweights compared to traditional water-based adhesives. Swift tak water-based labelling adhesives are also formulated for PET, plastic and glass one-way use.

Speed and flexibility for customers' convenience packaging
The rapidly increasing market appetite for convenience packaging is creating increased opportunity in the flexible packaging market. H.B. Fuller enables customers to take advantage of this growth. With Flextra Fast SFA 8700 + XR 1000 solvent-free laminating adhesive, manufacturers can now double their line speeds, while creating attractive flexible packaging that complies with food standard regulations. Flextra Fast SFA 8700 + XR 1000 has been designed to save time and money at every stage in production. Its rapid curing process reduces the dead time between laminating and slitting, which can now go ahead within a few hours of adhesive application in many cases.

Adhesive technology protecting brand presentation
Packages must look good and perform throughout their life-span for brands to make a great impression. Labels should look fresh and sharp all the way from the factory to the consumer. H.B. Fuller's dedicated R&D teams have developed a portfolio of high performance adhesives that keep labels and PSA tapes in place across a wide variety of applications.

Formulated for tear tapes and PVC labelling, Fulltak SE 7577 has excellent water whitening resistance. It is a great solution for that clear on clear labelling look. Fulltak SE 7594, designed to wash off rapidly in cold water with the adhesive retaining anchorage to the label, allows for easy removal of end-of-life tape and labels.

Health and safety at the heart of performance
H.B. Fuller understands that food safety is an integral part of the packaging industry. Today's challenge is that, as an unregulated substance group in Europe, food packaging adhesives can be difficult to evaluate. The issue of food safety requires collaboration throughout the supply chain. H.B. Fuller is proud to be an active player in the development and application of the Guidance of Food Contact Status Declaration for Adhesives.

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