Bookbinding adhesives
Bookbinding adhesives are specialized substances used to bond the various components of a book, such as the book block, cover, and endpaper, including hot-melt (EVA), polyurethane (PUR), dispersion (PVA), as well as traditional gelatin and protein-based adhesives.
Bookbinding adhesives are specialized industrial glues used in the production of cardboard packaging, labels, books, and various printing products. Depending on the application and technological requirements, different types of adhesives with specific physicochemical properties are used. Hot-melt adhesives, based on metallocene, EVA, or PUR, provide fast and durable bonding, ideal for sealing cardboard packaging in the food and logistics industries. Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) are applied where repeated opening and closing of packaging is required. Dispersion adhesives, based on PVA or VAE, are characterized by high flexibility and moisture resistance, making them widely used for bonding paper, cardboard, and labels. Acrylic adhesives offer excellent adhesion to a variety of substrates and long-term aging resistance, while gelatin and casein adhesives are eco-friendly solutions mainly used in food packaging, ensuring safety in direct contact with food.
Hot-melt adhesives
Hot-melt adhesives, also known as thermoplastic adhesives, are modern bonding materials that become liquid when heated to the appropriate temperature and quickly form a strong, flexible bond upon cooling. Thanks to their efficiency, clean application, and fast setting time, they are among the most commonly used types of adhesives in the packaging, printing, and bookbinding industries.
Metallocene-based hot-melt adhesives
Metallocene adhesives are high-quality hot-melt adhesives distinguished by their low consumption, thermal stability, and exceptionally clean application. They are widely used in automatic packaging lines for sealing food cartons, trays, bulk packaging, and labels. These adhesives ensure aesthetic, transparent bonding and excellent resistance to temperature variations, making them a preferred choice in the food, logistics, and printing industries where precision and reliability are essential.
EVA-based hot-melt adhesives (ethylene-vinyl acetate)
Universal EVA adhesives are the most commonly chosen solution in the packaging and printing industries. They perform excellently in bonding cardboard boxes, envelopes, paper labels, and corrugated board. EVA adhesives offer an excellent balance between quality and cost, providing strong adhesion, flexibility after curing, and reliable performance in a wide range of production applications.
PUR hot-melt adhesives (polyurethane)
PUR adhesives are reactive glues that, after application, react with moisture to form highly durable bonds resistant to temperature and humidity. They are used in the production of books, catalogs, premium labels, and packaging that require exceptional strength and aesthetic appearance. Thanks to their polyurethane structure, PUR adhesives ensure long-lasting bonding performance, maintaining flexibility and integrity even under intensive use and challenging environmental conditions.
PSA adhesives – pressure-sensitive or “permanently tacky” adhesives
Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives (PSA), also known as “permanently tacky” adhesives, are flexible self-adhesive materials that do not require activation by heat or moisture. A light amount of pressure is enough to create a strong, durable bond. This makes them widely used in the packaging, printing, and labeling industries, where they offer clean application, long-lasting tack, and the ability to reseal packaging multiple times. PSA adhesives remain permanently tacky after curing and retain their adhesive properties over time. Their bonding mechanism relies on pressure alone—without heating or chemical activation—ensuring fast, efficient, and precise adhesion. Thanks to these features, pressure-sensitive adhesives are an ideal solution for automatic production processes that require clean, reliable, and repeatable bonding.
Dispersion adhesives
PVA and VAE dispersion adhesives are among the most commonly used glues in the bookbinding, packaging, and printing industries. They are known for their high adhesion, flexibility, and resistance to aging and moisture, making them ideal for a wide range of paper and cardboard bonding applications. Being water-based, they are environmentally friendly and safe for use in food packaging production. Dispersion adhesives consist of polymer particles evenly dispersed in water; after application, the water evaporates and the particles fuse together to form a durable, flexible bond. These adhesives are safe, odorless, and easy to apply, making them suitable for both manual and automated gluing processes, while ensuring clean and reliable connections in modern industrial applications.
PVA dispersion adhesive (polyvinyl acetate)
PVA-based adhesives are classic dispersion glues with a very wide range of applications. They are characterized by high adhesion to paper, cardboard, and wood, short drying time, and excellent moisture resistance. Thanks to their versatility, they are widely used in the bookbinding, packaging, woodworking, and printing industries, ensuring durable, clean, and reliable bonds in both manual and automated production processes.
VAE dispersion adhesives (vinyl acetate–ethylene copolymer)
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Gelatin adhesives
Gelatin adhesives are eco-friendly, natural glues that have been used for decades in the bookbinding, packaging, and food industries. Made from gelatin – a natural protein of animal origin – they are completely safe for food contact and environmentally sustainable. They offer excellent adhesion to paper and cardboard, a fast setting time, and clean application, making them ideal for producing food cartons, labels, and brochures. These protein-based adhesives, derived primarily from collagen, are available in the form of granules or flakes that are dissolved in water and heated until a liquid consistency is achieved. Once applied, the adhesive cools and solidifies quickly, creating a durable, transparent, and aesthetically clean bond. Thanks to their precision, purity, and safety, gelatin adhesives remain a preferred choice for high-quality, food-safe packaging and bookbinding applications.
Casein adhesives
Casein adhesives are eco-friendly, natural glues made from casein – a milk protein. For many years, they have been widely used in the packaging, food, and printing industries for bonding labels, cartons, and packaging that require food-contact safety. They are characterized by high adhesion, moisture resistance, and excellent bonding durability. Belonging to the group of protein-based natural adhesives, casein glues are produced by dissolving and stabilizing milk-derived casein using alkaline agents. Once applied and dried, the adhesive forms a strong, hard, and moisture-resistant joint. Thanks to their natural composition, casein adhesives are biodegradable, non-toxic, and approved for food contact, making them an ideal choice for sustainable food packaging production.