Adhesive Manufacturing Industry Applications and Processes

The adhesive manufacturing industry covers a lot of processes and products. We would know at Conversion Technologies International—we offer a lot of them! Let’s explore below.

How does the adhesive manufacturing industry work?

Adhesive manufacturing specifically covers the manufacturing of many adhesives—some industrial, some meant for smaller-scale uses. The manufacturing methods involved vary, producing a diverse range of products. Additionally, you have multiple options when it comes to the process of manufacturing itself. While some businesses keep their manufacturing processes in-house, others like outsourcing to third party manufacturers like CTI.

It’s entirely up to you—there is no wrong or right answer. However, there’s a reason why outsourced manufacturing has become so common over the years. While this option does involve giving up the total control offered by in-house manufacturing, the right third party collaborates with you. Additionally, outsourcing can help you save money and time, while maximizing efficiency and quality control.

You’ll select a third party manufacturer based on your own individual needs, as well as the product you seek. While you can outsource every type of adhesive, not every third party manufactures  all types of adhesives. Different adhesives require different processes, equipment, and amounts of manpower. A hot melt adhesive and an acrylic PSA (pressure sensitive adhesive) have individual requirements. This is something you’ll discuss early with a responsible, experienced manufacturer. However, we still recommend having all your requirements sorted well before consulting with a third party.

What are the six types of adhesives?

Broadly speaking, you’ll find six main types of adhesives within the manufacturing industry. They serve different purposes and take different amounts of time to manufacture and apply. The sooner you know about the different types and their attributes, the sooner you can start planning for what you’ll need in terms of manufacturing, raw materials, and more.

The six types of adhesives include:

• Hot melt adhesives. A hot melt adhesive is a thermoplastic. You’ll apply them in their molten state—when they’re still quite hot. When exposed to the air, they’ll dry (often quickly) and harden. This is what bonds the adhesive to a surface. Known for their durability and relative ease of application and curing, hot melt adhesives work well with smaller-scale crafting projects. However, we can use them for mass-produced packaging as well.
• Water-based adhesives. We value these adhesives because they’re more environmentally friendly and work well with porous materials, including wood and paper. They bond with products as the water evaporates.
• Pressure sensitive adhesives. Pressure sensitive adhesives, also known as pressure activated adhesive doesn’t adhere until you apply pressure. This can come in handy when you need flexibility, as it’s easy to reposition a PSA adhesive. PSA material can come in the form of tapes, among other things.
• Solvent-based adhesive. In this case, a solvent acts as a carrier while being quite resistant to moisture.
• Reactive adhesive. Encompassing the ever-popular epoxy, this adhesive typically includes resin and hardener, creating a chemical reaction that cures the solution. These adhesives are among the most durable, withstanding chemical abrasions, heat, and moisture.
• Contact adhesive. We apply these adhesives directly to surfaces, where they dry and create their bond. They work well with larger surfaces—think laminate and rubber. 

What is the world’s strongest adhesive?

While multiple brands claim to have the world’s strongest adhesive, the effectiveness of an adhesive can depend on their format and how they’re used. Generally speaking, however, we in the adhesive manufacturing industry consider epoxy the strongest type of adhesive. As previously mentioned, we create epoxy through a combination of resin and hardener. The hardener acts as a curing agent, which helps create an incredibly hard, durable bond. While pressure sensitive materials offer flexibility, epoxy doesn’t. However, we can’t ignore its qualities when working on specific projects. Consider:

• Electrical insulation
• Heat resistance
• Chemical resistance
• Moisture resistance
• Low shrinkage (shape maintenance)
• Strong adhesion

For that reason, many different industries use epoxies. This includes industrial construction, marine products, electronics, aerospace, and more. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that you have a bit more background on the adhesive manufacturing industry, let’s get into some broader frequently asked questions.

Can the adhesive manufacturing industry provide customized adhesives?

Yes! Although some third party manufacturers don’t provide customized adhesives, others certainly do. We customize adhesives to strengthen them, add more flexibility, and even alter their aesthetic appearance. It really depends on your specific needs as the client. In many cases, typical standardized adhesives can’t meet your every need. However, you needn’t feel confined.

What are the basic steps of manufacturing adhesives?

The steps and materials involved in producing adhesives vary depending on the adhesive type. However, many methods have some basic steps in common, including:

• Creating the product “mix”. This is how we ensure the mixtures function as needed.
• Blending and emulsify. At this point, we mix and emulsify the solutions, creating a stable base.
• Here, we throw in additives, creating a product that performs well.
• This step acts as a finalizer, creating the adhesive you’re looking for. We’ll test it for performance, viscosity, and packaging.

Can CTI help my company?

The best way to determine whether CTI can assist your company is by speaking with us. One great thing about our process is that we really get to know your needs ahead of time. You won’t ever commit blindly. We’ll start with that first contact. Call us at 419-924-5566 or contact us here and get the ball rolling.