Consumer sentiment continues to drive sustainability throughout the economy and society. Consumers often view packaging as wasteful, and they demand more sustainable options as a result. Many terms, such as reuse, recycle, compost, and reduction, resonate positively with consumers.

Manufacturers and scientists are continually pushing the envelope on eco-friendly adhesives, sealants, coatings, and potting and encapsulation compounds. Demand for green and sustainable formulations is expected to keep growing due to tightening legislation, consumer awareness, and new opportunities.

Surfactants are widely used in a range of adhesives and sealants, primarily to promote the wetting of surfaces to promote adhesion. Unfortunately, some of them have been found to have suspect toxicity profiles or environmental issues.

Currently, mastic is available to commercial and DIY consumers primarily in squeeze tubes and 10-oz cartridges. Although the sausage packaging format exists as an alternative, in a 20-oz size and a smaller “mini” option (2-3.5 oz), its availability is limited—as a stroll down the sealant aisle of Home Depot or Lowes will confirm.

By 2050, the United Nations expects the global population to reach approximately 9.5 billion people. The expectations are that millions of people will be lifted out of poverty, increasing living standards and driving demand for chemical products.

Henkel Adhesive Technologies recently announced that it has broken ground on a new state-of-the-art production area for UV-curable acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) at its site in Salisbury, N.C.