The Formulated Polymers Blog

We are happy to introduce customers to our latest investment in our manufacturing process. A new high-quality mixer with impressive performance options has helped us increase our manufacturing capacity by over 30%. The high-speed variable mixer – which was commissioned to our specifications – offers increased flexibility, a smoother formulating process, and faster results for our customers.

The transportation of expensive items can result in them slipping and shifting against the pallet or each other while in transit. This can lead to unnecessary damage to the goods. Therefore, it's vital to provide a lightweight, durable, and affordable anti-slip solution for both storing and transporting items. 

Anti-slip tray mats, such as those in the image below, are used in their millions every day by airlines and train companies throughout the world. They require a special coating that meets the food contact regulations, is non-allergenic and slip resistant when applied to both the front and back as they need to resist any turbulence during the flight or train journey.

Solvent based contact adhesives are expensive and are hazardous to both humans and the environment.

Water based adhesives are cost effective and are NOT hazardous to humans or the environment.

Historically contact adhesives were based on volatile organic solvents. Polymers such as polychloroprene or natural rubber are dissolved in a solvent e.g. toluene, xylene or dichloromethane. The resulting adhesive exhibits very high levels of tack. When a solvent based adhesive is applied to a substrate and the two surfaces are brought together an instant bond is formed. Solvent based sprayable solvents have been used for many years in the furniture industry. They have been used in the production of sofas, chairs, beds and other items of furniture. The adhesive is used to bond foam to foam, foam to fibre and foam and fibre to wood. The adhesive is sprayed on to both components which are brought together forming an instant bond. Solvent will remain in the adhesive bond but as it is volatile it will evaporate very quickly.

Cold seal adhesives are primarily used to seal heat sensitive items like chocolate bars.

The adhesive is normally applied wet to the substrate by a revolving gravure cylinder, immediately dried in an extended oven before it is reeled up at the end of the press.

The adhesive is usually applied in the form of a distinct pattern that will allow the wrapper to be sealed adhesive to adhesive without any heat being applied by the sealing jaws. 

In chemistry cross linking involves ionic or covalent bonds that link two or more polymer chains together. In nature this process creates protein chains. Within the processing and packaging industry this process is used to enhance the properties of the polymer ie higher heat resistance.

Wet Bond FP 2068 is the cornerstone of our new range of adhesives.

What Is Wet Bond 2068?

Wet Bond 2068 is a water-based adhesive designed for the wet lamination of aluminium foil or metallised film to paper, glassine or cardboard. Wet Bond 2068 has already found a wide variety of uses in the packaging industry. It is formulated for use in the manufacturing of high performance food packaging products.

Wet bond adhesives play an essential part in manufacturing many types of food packaging, so it is extremely frustrating when problems arise. From all the issues we are aware of, we have identified five main ones. These have the greatest potential to cause delays or product recalls, and to increase production costs.

We have therefore made it our aim to address each of these problems in turn with our adhesive and cross-linker products.

Using a versatile water based adhesive for your food packaging is essential for many products, and choosing the right one is important. There is no need to make compromises on performance, and at Formulated Polymer Products we can offer you a great solution for your food packaging needs. The most important thing to us is delivering an adhesive that will fulfil all your various bonding requirements and give you piece of mind. Our new line of water based adhesives will provide a wide range of bonding options, with the ability if required to add a cross linker to improve heat resistance to delamination. 

When you look for a wet lamination adhesive for your packaging, you want to deal with a manufacturer that understands the demands of the food industry. At Formulated Polymer Products (FPP) we manufacture some of the best adhesive products in the UK, with the food packaging industry in mind. We have been working with natural and synthetic compounds for a long time, so let us give you a few pointers about what qualities make a great bond adhesive for wet lamination.