Diving Deep Inside The Hot Melt Adhesive Tape

The hot melt adhesive tape market is valued at US$22.145 billion in 2020, with a CAGR of 6.11% predicted to raise US$33.532 billion by 2027. Hot-melt adhesive, also identified as hot glue, is a thermoplastic adhesive. Due to its extensive use in DIY applications, hot melt adhesive is identified to provide surface application on various materials such as fabric, metals, plastics, papers, cardboard, and so on. Craft, paper, woodwork, and plastic packaging are do-it-yourself applications. Hot melt adhesives do not require curing or drying. They can be applied in a molten state and thus bonded immediately after application. In correlation to acrylic tape, hot melt tapes have substantially higher adhesion. They have outstanding holding power (also known as shear value), tensile strength, and a quick tack. A hot melt tape is perfect for machine-applied tapes, overstuffed cartons, or cartons with high recycled content. They work well in temperatures ranging from 45 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Hot Melt Tape is widely used for carton sealing with automatic packaging machines because it has a higher blanching adhesion and a lower unwinding force than other tapes. There are many reasons that a company might prefer hot melt adhesive over other types of adhesive. Manufacturers benefit from the easy implementation of hot melt adhesives, low price, long life cycle, and low degree of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A hot melt adhesive can be efficiently and quickly applied to sustain large manufacturing and process automation on production lines while improving overall effectiveness.

Hot Melt Adhesive and Its Base

Polyamide-Based Hot Melt Adhesive– Polyamide-based hot melt adhesives have excellent solvent, heat, oil, grease, and plasticizer resistance. They are also high in strength and adaptable. These characteristics make them an excellent choice for challenging, low-energy substrates. Because of their chemical and high heat resistance, polyamide-based hot melt adhesives are commonly used in filtration, automotive, electronics, and aerospace applications.

Polyutheren-Based Hot Melt Adhesive- One of the earliest known hot melt technologies is polyurethane-based hot melt adhesives. They have high thermal stability and are best suited for carton, case, and tray sealing implementations. Because of their strong adhesive bond strength capabilities, they are especially suited for building materials, bookbinding, and automotive.

Bio-Based Hot Melt Adhesive– Bio-based hot melt adhesive innovation is designed specifically for sustainable development and resource efficiency applications. This is in response to growing market interest in these types of preparations to help reduce dependence on petroleum-based natural resources while also lowering the carbon footprint of manufacturing facilities. 

Hot Melt Adhesive Benefits

Hot melt adhesives (HMA) are as diversified as there is countless application. Hot melts are often used via extrusion, rolling, or spraying, and their high melt viscous makes them perfect for porous and permeable surfaces. HMAs can bond a wide range of substrates, including ceramics, metals, plastics, paper, rubbers, glass, wood, etc.

  •  Hot melt adhesives have a long shelf life and can usually be discarded without special precautions.HMAs do not lose thickness during solidification, whereas solvent-based adhesives may lose up to 50% coating thickness during drying.
  •  Hot melt adhesives are versatile in that they can combine with a wide range of substrates, including ceramics, metals, paper, rubbers, plastics, glass, and wood.
  •  Without any special precautions, it can be easily disposed of.

The Packaging Industry is Spurring the Demand for the Hot Melt Adhesive Tape

In the packaging sector, handling of the goods is taken into due consideration and impacts the business if the proper measures are not implemented. These solutions need an adhesive that binds the package in good condition, so there is no damage and opening of the carton or package. Corrugated boxes were the largest single product category in 2018, accounting for 33.3 million tonnes, or 11.4 percent of total generation in MSW as per EPA. Corrugated boxes are also the most common type of reprocessed paper and paperboard cartons and packaging. In 2018, 32.1 million tonnes of corrugated boxes were reused out of 33.9 million tonnes of paper and paperboard reprocessing. Corrugated boxes were recycled at a rate of 96.5 percent. After recycling, corrugated box combustion was 230,000 tonnes, and landfills obtained 940,000 tonnes in 2018. These data show that many boxes or cartons are used for maximum packing, which is expected to boost the demand for the hot melt adhesive tape market globally over the forecasted period.

The Asia-Pacific is Expected to Lead the Growth of Hot Melt Adhesive Tape

The growing demand for the packaging sector in the transport and logistics industries is expected to drive up the requirement for hot melt adhesive tapes. Qualities such as high peel strength and excellent insulation are expected to boost hot melt adhesive tape revenues and push the hot melt adhesive tapes market growth over the projected timeline. Furthermore, package makers presently use bioplastic materials such as PHA, PLA, and others to manufacture hot melt self-adhesive tapes. Bioplastic components used in hot melt self-adhesive tapes have better tensile strength and can be printed on, anticipated to propel the market share of hot melt adhesive tapes.

Hot melt adhesive tape revenues are expected to rise as they aid in preserving clean environments.

Recent Developments

  • January 2022, H.B. Fuller Company announced that it had completed the acquisition of Apollo, the leading independent manufacturer of liquid adhesives, coatings, and primers for the roof installation, industrial, and building markets in the United Kingdom. Based in Tamworth, UK, Apollo is expected to generate approximately £42 million in revenue and £11 million in EBITDA by 2022. Apollo will perform within H.B. Fuller's established Construction Adhesives and Engineering Adhesives functional departments. It is expected to strengthen its position in key high-value, high-margin markets in the United Kingdom and Europe.
  • August 2021, Huntsman Corporation announced that its Quality Products division intends to expand its production facility in Petfurdo, Hungary, in order order order to meet growing demands for polyurethane catalysts and specialized amines. The multi-million dollar investment initiative is expected to be completed by 2023. The brownfield facility will increase Huntsman's global competitiveness while also offering alternative and technological innovations to polyurethane, metalworking, electronics, and coatings.
  • January 2021, Huntsman Corporation announced that it had acquired Gabriel Performance Products from Audax Private Equity. Gabriel is a North American specialty chemical producer of specialty admixtures and epoxy curing agents for the adhesives, sealants, coatings, and composite end markets.
  • In May 2020, CVC Thermoset was purchased by Huntsman. CVC Thermoset are North American specialty chemical manufacturing company serving the industrial composite materials, adhesives, and coatings marketplaces. Huntsman purchased the company from Emerald Performance Materials LLC, a majority-owned alliance of American Securities LLC. The acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties, with its highly specialized toughening, curing, and other admixtures used in various applications and markets, is predominantly associated with Huntsman's strategy of expanding its specialty Advanced Materials portfolio.