In the labels and labeling industry, printers and converters are facing rising ink prices as a result of fluctuating raw material costs, in part due to the recurring acrylic acid shortage.
But, the shortage in acrylic acid isn't just impacting the industry through the rising price of ink—acrylic acid is a major component of water-based adhesives, so these shortages are also causing spikes in adhesive costs, which impact production of labels, stamps and other applications requiring these adhesives. Printers and converters may face absorbing these additional costs or passing them on to their customers.
One way for printers and converters to counter increases in adhesive costs altogether is by considering materials featuring an alternative to water-based adhesive technology.
Hot melt adhesives, often used for packaging and labeling applications or product assembly, are solvent-free adhesives that form a strong bond quickly during the cooling process. They are clean and simple to handle and compatible with a variety of materials, and the most advanced formats, known as PURs or 100 percent solids, set quickly and are heat resistant once cured.