Metallocene hot melt adhesive

Metallocene hot melt adhesive for maximum efficiency

Metallocene hot melt adhesive is a high performance, low temperature adhesive which is suitable for various applications within the packaging industry. The metallocene adhesives are not as common as for example EVA hot melts, but they certainly are a good alternative to other low temperature adhesives thanks to their many beneficial features which we will cover in this article.

Metallocene hot melt adhesive systems are famous for having less volume and being less dense than comparable adhesive systems. Therefore, these adhesives are a common go-to solution when the goal is a strong bond with a minimum amount of adhesive.

6 benefits of metallocene hot melt adhesives

Like many hot melts, also metallocene adhesives can be applied at a low temperature. The low temperature can result in remarkable energy savings, as high heat is not involved. The low application temperature also allows applications on delicate materials such as those common in the packaging industry.

Next to the benefits provided by the low application temperature, metallocene hot melt adhesive systems come with unique advantages. The six most important benefits are listed below.

1. No char or gel formation

One of the ultimate advantages of using metallocene hot melt adhesive is that it does not char or form gel like layers in the application equipment. Keeping the equipment cleaner, these adhesives help prevent clogged nozzles and hoses leading to less downtime and decreased need for equipment maintenance.

2. No Stringing

Metallocene adhesive systems are very special as they do not string. Hot melt stringing can ruin an application by creating a mess or compromising bond strength. Stringing is also a sign of a bad quality hot melt or faulty equipment settings. Choosing for a metallocene hot melt adhesive resolves the stringing issues.

3. Low to no odor

Hot melt adhesives are generally safe as they are a 100% solid and therefore contain no solvents. However, this does not mean that hot melts could not have an unpleasant odor. Fortunately, metallocene adhesives have low to no odor.

4. Temperature resistance

Another remarkable benefit of metallocene hot glue is its resistance to temperature extremes and fluctuation. The adhesive can resist heat up to 70°C and retains its flexibility also in temperatures below 0°C. This makes the adhesive ideal, for instance, for freezer packaging.

5. Long pot life

Due to the thermal stability of the adhesive, it has a relatively long pot life. Longer pot life is directly related to increased efficiency. The adhesive remains good in the tank of the spray equipment even during a short pause from the application. This results in less downtime.

6. Exceptional efficiency

As mentioned before, metallocene hot melt adhesives increase efficiency by minimizing downtime by keeping equipment clean. However, also other factors contribute to higher efficiency. As the adhesive is low in volume and density, a minimum amount of adhesive will suffice to create strong bonds. Compared to alternative systems, up to 40% less adhesive is needed.

Applications with metallocene hot glue

Metallocene hot melt adhesive systems are common in similar applications as EVA adhesives. Both of the glues are common when bonding cardboard or other delicate (packaging) materials. The metallocene adhesives are suitable for assembling boxes, cases and trays that are subject to temperature fluctuation. Even freezer containers can be bonded using this type of hot glue.

As the chemistry behind hot melts is generally safe, there are several products that have got the approval of the FDA. This means that those adhesives are suitable for food packaging.

Metallocene adhesive vs. EVA hot melt

When opting for a low temperature hot melt adhesive, there are generally two options. EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and metallocene polyolefin adhesives. Of these two EVA based adhesives are much more common as they result in strong bonds at lower cost than metallocene adhesives. However, the cost comparison can be questioned by various factors.

The initial investment of metallocene hot melt adhesive systems is higher than that of EVA adhesives. However, metallocene hot melt adhesive…

… does not char, which keeps the equipment cleaner and reduces maintenance costs.
… results in bonds of the same strength requiring up to 40% less adhesive, which decreases material costs.
… has longer pot life, which is directly linked to decreased losses due to downtime.

Looking for a low temperature adhesive for packaging?

In case you are looking for a low temperature hot melt adhesive to efficiently bond cardboard and assemble boxes, cases and trays, you should consider metallocene hot melt. To get more information on the adhesive system, or get in touch with a reliable supplier, contact us.

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