Solving performance challenges with sustainable adhesive formulation

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.

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Facing pressure to make your adhesive formulations more sustainable without losing performance or increasing costs?

In manufacturing, adhesives may be invisible, but they’re essential across numerous industries and applications, from cars to smartphones. As industries continue to innovate, the demand for high-strength, durable, and versatile sustainable adhesives has become essential for manufacturers wishing to stay competitive and capture market share. As the Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, and Elastomers (CASE) industries shift toward eco-friendly solutions, sustainable adhesives aren’t just an option—they’re imperative in building and holding the future together.

At Ingredients + Specialties from Univar Solutions, we go beyond distribution. Our experts combine specialty in-house lab services, global Solution Centers, and deep market insight to help you create adhesives that are stronger, safer, and more sustainable. When your customers demand better performance, we make sure you’re ready with our world-class supplier partners, an expansive product portfolio, and market intelligence.

Download our guides to learn more about our adhesive product kits, products, and solutions to help you solve formulation challenges.

Sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s an becoming a expectation. Whether you're in research and development or procurement, you're likely feeling the pressure driven by increasing sustainability awareness and stricter global regulatory requirements. From packaging and labeling to automotive. aerospace and electronics, adhesives are everywhere. Demand will increasingly shift towards eco-friendly adhesives that are recyclable, solvent-free, and still perform well.

Regulations are tightening, and customers expect greener bonding solutions. That means you need access to ingredients that help reduce environmental impact without compromising strength or durability. To meet these increasing sustainability and performance demands, adhesive manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D to create new adhesives. The industrywide goal is to create adhesives that meet or even exceed current performance standards while anticipating future needs.

Depending on your product, adhesives must handle high heat, resist corrosion, and maintain their bonding strength over time for optimal effectiveness. That’s why the right ingredients and formulation make all the difference, and that’s where we can help you make that shift with confidence.

We understand how complex adhesive formulation and application development can be. Through our global Solution Centers and field technical specialists, we work directly with you to solve challenges, whether you're creating a new bio-based adhesive, optimizing for better performance, or aligning with sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. The adhesive industry is evolving fast and staying competitive means balancing high performance with eco-conscious innovation. Whether formulating a new solvent-free adhesive product or reformulating with eco-conscious alternative materials, we’re here to support you with deep ingredient expertise and hands-on technical support. Together, we're developing adhesives that shape the future of technology and sustainability – forging (Un)Common Bonds.

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.