Planatol introduces new hotmelts for the packaging industry

Planatol is introducing its new Ultimate product line, featuring a range of new hotmelts that meet the high manufacturing standards for refined (coated, laminated or foil) packaging in areas such as food packaging. Reliable EVA-based hotmelts (ethylene vinyl acetate, abbreviated EVA), which are ideal for applications such as sealing cardboard boxes during the manufacture of folded boxes on high-speed industrial machines, have reached their limits in this area. As with our EVA hotmelts, the new Ultimate adhesives have excellent hot tack properties and set quickly. They also provide a high degree of adhesion to coated and laminated surfaces, are resistant to cold and heat, produce low odour and fumes and meet strict food safety and hygiene standards.

The Ultimate adhesives have additional advantages over EVA adhesives as a result of a new raw material base. They provide excellent stability with regard to temperature and viscosity over several hours, preventing carbonisation or the build-up of gel or deposits. This reduces the cost of cleaning coating systems and the wear on machine parts. The adhesives thus offer improved processing reliability.

In addition, these adhesives produce a bond with excellent cold and heat resistance within a temperature range of -36°C to 70°C, making it easy to package warm products. The packaging is ideal for freezer use. The excellent bond strength and lower density compared to conventional adhesives make it possible to apply a thinner coat for adhesion. The high coverage reduces the amount of adhesive required while increasing economic efficiency.

Ultimate adhesives can be used in a very wide range of applications. Different substrates and types of packaging can be glued using a single adhesive known as Planatol HM Ultimate 3. A two-shot application, which is a combination of dispersion and hotmelt, can usually be avoided. Only one type of adhesive is required for production.

All Ultimate adhesives melt very quickly, reducing machine downtimes and energy consumption. Another advantage is in their low working temperature: Planatol HM Ultimate 2 can be used at 130°C, making it possible to conserve a considerable amount of energy. Additionally, the low fumes result in a considerable reduction in unpleasant odours affecting production employees.

The practically transparent Ultimate adhesives are best suited for use in the packaging of food and confections and, compared to EVA adhesives, provide new options for packaging manufacturers.