(Un)Common Bonds: Sustainable adhesive components and innovative solutions

In manufacturing, adhesives are unsung heroes that are often invisible yet indispensable across numerous industries and applications. From the vehicles we drive to the smartphones seemingly attached to our grasps, they keep the world around us intact. But as the Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers (CASE) industries shift toward eco-friendly solutions that reduce environmental impacts, sustainable adhesive solutions aren’t just sticking around – they’re leading the way in building a stronger future.

At Univar Solutions, we’re not just distributing adhesives; our team is crafting the future of how things stick. In addition to providing in-house specialty lab services, our global Solution Centers are innovation incubators encompassing our seasoned sales expertise, world-class supplier partners, an expansive product portfolio, and market intelligence. Our specialists help ensure you're ready to deliver when your customers ask for stronger, better-constructed, safer, and more sustainable adhesives.

Learn more about our adhesive ingredient offerings:

In manufacturing, adhesives are unsung heroes that are often invisible yet indispensable across numerous industries and applications. From the vehicles we drive to the smartphones seemingly attached to our grasps, they keep the world around us intact. But as the Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers (CASE) industries shift toward eco-friendly solutions that reduce environmental impacts, sustainable adhesive solutions aren’t just sticking around – they’re leading the way in building a stronger future.

At Univar Solutions, we’re not just distributing adhesives; our team is crafting the future of how things stick. In addition to providing in-house specialty lab services, our global Solution Centers are innovation incubators encompassing our seasoned sales expertise, world-class supplier partners, an expansive product portfolio, and market intelligence. Our specialists help ensure you're ready to deliver when your customers ask for stronger, better-constructed, safer, and more sustainable adhesives.

As industries push the boundaries of innovation, the demands on performance across numerous adhesive applications have skyrocketed. High-strength, durable, and versatile adhesives are no longer a luxury but a necessity for manufacturers.

In aerospace, automotive, and electronics sectors, the integrity and reliability of components are non-negotiable; adhesive products and the ingredients that construct them must meet stringent specifications. They must withstand extreme temperatures, resist corrosion, and maintain their bonding strength for optimal product effectiveness.

To meet these increasing performance demands, adhesive manufacturers invest heavily in research and development to create new materials and experiment with novel chemical formulations. The industrywide goal is to create adhesives that meet or even exceed current performance standards while anticipating future needs, helping to ensure that industries can continue innovating without constraints.

In our global Solutions Centers, we understand the complexities of adhesive formulation and application development. Our expert team works closely with customers to navigate their challenges and offer customized solutions that meet their requirements. Whether formulating a new bio-based adhesive, optimizing a formulation for better performance, or implementing sustainable practices in compliance with environmental regulations, we provide comprehensive support throughout your product development process – at any stage of the cycle.

Discover our product kits to jump-start your formulations with a variety of end-use applications.

The shift toward eco-friendly adhesives is perhaps the most significant step forward for the sector. With increasing sustainability awareness and stricter global regulatory requirements, there is a pressing need to develop effective adhesives that reduce environmental impacts. This awareness received renewed vigor during the COVID-19 pandemic when home delivery became king, and the demand for packaging and labeling products went through the roof.

Although we've mostly returned to normalcy since then, consumers have maintained a high demand for delivered goods. This means large retailers across multiple industries are seeking recyclable adhesives and other sustainable solutions without sacrificing the performance standards their customers expect.