Formulators face many challenges while developing sustainable adhesives. From the technical intricacies of selecting materials that balance performance with sustainability to supply chain concerns, including material sourcing, manufacturing energy use, and recyclability, researchers must consider the full landscape to create competitive products.
With CAS Solutions, you can fast-track your sustainable adhesive R&D with scientific insights and expert knowledge. Accelerate your literature review with the CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform™, protect your sustainable adhesive innovations with the STN IP Protection Suite™, or collaborate with CAS Custom Services℠ to develop digital solutions tailored to your research needs. Using CAS tools and insights, you can make confident decisions to power your next breakthrough faster.
Accelerating sustainable adhesive literature research
Sustainable adhesive research has been accelerating, with data from the CAS Content Collection™ showing increasing publications related to sustainable adhesives over the last eight years. This has led to key insights being hidden in growing quantities of scientific information.
Beyond the volume of research available, the complexity of adhesive formulations adds another barrier to literature research. When developing sustainable formulations, researchers can take several routes, including:
For an effective literature review, researchers must cut through this noise to pinpoint the publications that matter to their research. Using CAS SciFinder®, you can navigate global scientific knowledge on sustainable adhesives with intuitive searching and industry-specific concept filters, including ‘adhesives,’ ‘polyesters,’ and ‘epoxy resins.’ Updated daily and with an alert feature to notify you of the latest results for your search, CAS SciFinder keeps you informed of new insights as they are published.
Learn more about CAS SciFinder Discovery Platform
Streamlining formulation ingredient substitutions
Adhesive formulations are constantly changing targets for developers. As new global regulations are published or consumer sensibilities change, adhesive formulations must adapt to remain competitive. One of the most notable regulation examples is those surrounding volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions. Found to vaporize at room temperature and be harmful to human health, VOCs are now regulated across the world, including in the U.S.5 and the UK.6
When an ingredient needs to be reduced or replaced in a formulation, the challenges for researchers don’t end there. Any adjustment to the delicate balance with an adhesive’s formulation can affect its properties, including:
- How strongly the adhesive bonds.
- At what temperatures the adhesive can bond and remain bonded (of particular concern for adhesives used at ultra-low temperatures such as aviation).
- How long the adhesive remains usable after application before bonding (open time).
- How long the adhesive takes to cure and develop sufficient bond strength (set time).
- The adhesive’s viscosity and ease of application.
The complex interplay between these properties means that formulators must undergo a complex, iterative process to ensure that an ingredient substitution doesn’t negatively impact an adhesive's performance. With CAS Formulus®, you can streamline your approach to ingredient substitutions with easy access to regulatory information for substances, suggested alternatives for ingredients within the formulation designer, and quick links to commercial suppliers.
Protecting sustainable adhesive product innovations
As sustainable adhesive formulations are developed, updated, and improved, companies must stay up-to-date with the evolving IP landscape to secure their innovations. The global market for adhesives and sealants is expected to grow to $118.83 billion by 2032,7 so it is critical that companies safeguard their IP to effectively monetize their products and avoid serious infringement risks.
The STN IP Protection Suite™ enables you to more easily identify potential opportunities for sustainable adhesive innovation that can drive your research and ensure that it is protected against potential infringements, allowing you to focus on your next breakthrough.
Learn more about the STN IP Protection Suite
Increasing sustainability of adhesive formulations with digital solutions
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital transformation are revolutionizing adhesive formulation by enhancing efficiency, precision, and innovation. AI algorithms can analyze vast datasets to predict optimal formulations, reducing reliance on trial-and-error methods and accelerating development timelines. For instance, Henkel Adhesive Technologies has implemented digital solutions across its production sites, leveraging data analytics and AI to optimize operations and drive production.8
By working with CAS Custom Services, you can leverage our expertise to develop and integrate AI and digital technologies into your workflow, streamlining adhesive formulation and supporting sustainability by minimizing waste and energy consumption.
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Driving innovation in sustainable adhesives with CAS Solutions
The development of sustainable adhesives presents both challenges and opportunities for researchers striving to innovate while meeting consumer demands and regulatory requirements. From navigating complex literature to identifying viable ingredient substitutions, formulating sustainable adhesives requires balancing performance with environmental goals. CAS Solutions empower researchers to overcome these challenges with advanced tools and tailored services. Confidently address the complexities of sustainable adhesive development with CAS to drive innovation and develop the sustainable adhesives of the future.