Radiation-curable laminating adhesives for flexible packaging

Radiation-curable laminating adhesives for flexible packaging 

The broad objectives of technology developments in radiation-curable adhesives are summarised below  

Laminating adhesives are used in three main application fields. The most important, both in terms of volume and turnover, is the food packaging sector, pet food included, thanks to the overwhelming success of processed and convenience food. The simplest structures involve a printed plastic film laminated to a sealant film of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP). Structures for higher performance applications, where heat resistance, chemical resistance or outstanding barrier properties are required, include aluminium foil between these two layers. 

Second in importance come high-gloss applications, where cardboard or paper is laminated to a film in order to obtain a particular optical effect shiny or matt, for instance. The third area contains a variety of applications, e.g. flat antennas, microcircuits, insulation materials, under the heading technical laminations. Most of the time, these laminations involve metal foils or plates. While food packaging and technical laminations rely mostly on reactive two-component adhesive systems - solvent-based or solvent-free, based on polyurethane chemistry (for some applications dispersions are also used they can be made up of polyurethanes, acrylics or natural raw materials like latex and casein) - high-gloss 

While converters endeavour to reduce their manufacturing costs, there is increased awareness of food regulations, which are becoming increasingly demanding, while analytical methods improve. The use of radiation-curable laminating adhesives can help converters meet these market requirements. 

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