First 100% biodegradable, compostable hot melt for packaging

First 100% biodegradable, compostable hot melt for packaging. Food safe!

The industry has been searching for years for adhesives that are completely biodegradable and compostable. While more and more options are being discovered, a 100% biodegradable and compostable hot melt adhesive remains the ultimate goal.

With this hot melt, we've achieved that goal: an adhesive that is proven to be 100% biodegradable and compostable. This adhesive has been thoroughly tested and certified according to ASTM D6400, EN13432, ASTM D6954, and ASTM D6866.

Our hot melt adhesive provides the same bond strength as traditional hot melt adhesives, but is environmentally conscious and designed to break down in the natural environment without leaving harmful residues such as microplastics. This makes it perfect for applications in the packaging industry, especially for food packaging such as food boxes and other food packaging materials.

In addition, this adhesive is easy to integrate into existing processes. It needs no additional preparation and can be used with existing equipment.

100% biodegradable under normal conditions

This hot melt adhesive degrades when exposed to oxygen, UV light, and heat. These natural elements accelerate the degradation process, causing the long polymer chains in the adhesive to break down and the material to be consumed by microorganisms. This means no harmful residues or microplastics are left behind, making the product completely safe for the environment.

Test results prove: 100% biodegradable and compostable adhesive

Our hot melt has been thoroughly tested according to strict international standards. The results show that after 150 days under controlled composting conditions, 94.05% of the adhesive has degraded. This percentage will continue to increase until the adhesive is completely degraded.

This means that the adhesive is completely biodegradable. But it goes even further. The adhesive is also fully compostable under industrial conditions. This means that under normal (unconditioned) conditions, the adhesive will completely decompose into compost without leaving any harmful substances behind.

Ecotoxicity tests show: this adhesive is also 100% compostable

In addition to the biodegradability of the adhesive, an ecotoxicity test was conducted to ensure that the degraded adhesive had no negative effect on plants. This test showed that the compost containing the hot melt had no adverse effect on the growth of plants such as Brassica juncea (Indian mustard) and Triticum aestivum (wheat).

The germination rate and plant growth in the compost were almost identical to the control without the adhesive. For example, the germination rate of seeds in the compost with 25% adhesive was 98%, and with 50% adhesive it was 96%, while the control group achieved 100%. This shows that the compost made from this hot melt has no harmful effects on the plants. It proves that the hot melt can be used without harming the environment.

Application of the hot melt requires no process adjustments

The great thing about this adhesive is that it can be applied using existing methods. You don't have to change your processes. The adhesive sticks are available in standard sizes of 12 mm, 15 mm and 43 mm, making them compatible with all common industrial hot melt glue guns.

Sustainable and affordable

While biodegradable products are often more expensive than their polluting counterparts, this adhesive is competitively priced. This makes it an attractive alternative for companies that want to improve their sustainability without breaking the bank.

Adopting this hot melt comes with virtually no downsides—it's all about the benefits.
The only thing to keep in mind is that due to its biodegradability, the adhesive must be stored in an environment between 5°C and 30°C, away from direct sunlight or certain heat sources. 

The benefits of this biodegradable hot glue summarized

• 100% biodegradable and compostable: No microplastics, fully degradable under natural conditions.
• Certified according to international standards: Complies with ASTM D6400, EN13432, ASTM D6954, and ASTM D6866.
• Suitable for food packaging: Safe for indirect food contact.
• Strong adhesion: Just as powerful as conventional adhesives.
• Compatible with existing equipment: No need for adjustments to application processes.
• Competitive pricing: Sustainable without significant extra costs

Applications in biodegradable (food) packaging

This hot melt is versatile and can be used in various processes. It offers significant added value, especially in biodegradable packaging such as cardboard.

Some common applications for this biodegradable adhesive include: This hot melt is versatile and can be used in various processes. It offers significant added value, especially in biodegradable packaging such as cardboard.

Sealing cardboard boxes
A huge advantage in e-commerce and logistics where cardboard boxes need to be sustainably sealed. This adhesive allows cardboard components to be bonded together without compromising the sustainability claim. 100% biodegradable packaging materials are possible here, even with adhesives.

Labels and stickers
While 100% biodegradable boxes often do not have labels or stickers because they would no longer be biodegradable, now they can! A common problem with cardboard packaging is that while the cardboard itself is biodegradable, the glue used to apply labels and stickers is often not. 

With this hot melt adhesive, labels and stickers can be applied to cardboard packaging in a biodegradable manner. This ensures that the entire package, including the labels, can be composted without leaving harmful residues. This is a major advantage for brands that want to offer environmentally friendly packaging for their products.

Biodegradable food packaging
Thanks to its food-safe certification, this adhesive is suitable for use in food packaging, such as sealing food boxes or bonding food containers. This makes it an excellent solution for companies in the food industry looking to use sustainable and safe packaging. The hot melt is fully compostable, leaving no harmful particles behind. This allows food packaging to be compostable without compromising the safety or quality of the product.

Paper bags and envelopes
Many retailers and companies that already use biodegradable paper bags can now seal them with our adhesive, further enhancing the sustainability of the entire package. This is particularly appealing to brands that want to offer their customers fully eco-conscious packaging, whether in-store or via e-commerce.

The applications for this biodegradable hot melt are endless. In particular, it is used in the production of food packaging (indirect contact only) and packaging materials for e-commerce and logistics.

Technical specifications

Before fully integrating this adhesive into your process, you'll want to know exactly what you're dealing with.
The key technical specifications of the 100% biodegradable hot melt for packaging:

Melt temperature
The recommended melting temperature is between 160-180°C, depending on the type of substrate being bonded.

Adhesive viscosity
The Brookfield viscosity of the adhesive is 4200 cps (at 195°C), ensuring optimum adhesion and workability.

Heat resistance
Once applied, the hot melt offers heat resistance up to 75°C, making it suitable for demanding packaging environments.

Available in standard sizes
The hot melt sticks are available in standard sizes of 12 mm, 15 mm and 43 mm and can be used with most hot melt guns without the need for new equipment.

Composition
The hot melt's base ingredients consist of 45% bio-based materials and carefully selected biodegradable synthetic polymers. This ensures that the final product fully meets the criteria for 100% biodegradability.

Thanks to these properties, the hot melt adhesive is a reliable and more sustainable choice for companies that want to optimize their packaging processes without having to make any changes to their existing equipment or processes.

With its proven biodegradability, as certified by ASTM D6400 and EN13432, you can be confident that our adhesive is the most sustainable option available today.

Want to know what this biodegradable, compostable hot melt means for your sustainability efforts?

Want to learn more about this innovative hot melt adhesive and how it can help your business become more sustainable? Contact us today for more information, samples, or a quote.