Biomass content dramatically increased by synthesizing polymers from bio-based raw materials

Tokyo, Japan – Toyochem Co., Ltd., a member company of the Toyo Ink Group, has developed a new pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) with a high bio-based content for use in packaging, labels and tapes. The bio-based content for the company’s Cyabine™ series of polyurethane adhesives recorded values up to 80%, while the Oribain™ series for acrylic adhesives up to 75%. Both series also include a removable PSA composition with 10% bio-based content, a feat that had been considered difficult to accomplish by using conventional bio-based adhesives.

As countries around the globe work to transition to a circular economy, materials produced from biomass are expected to play a key role. Given the tremendous focus on mitigating climate change and its impact, urgent research and investment is being devoted to moving away from today’s petroleum-based economy to a more sustainable one based on recycling and renewable resources. As such, bio-based materials are attracting increasing attention across a diverse range of fields, due to the ecological advantages that come with their use.

In response to these trends, Toyochem has recently developed an advanced pressure-sensitive adhesive composition with biomass content up to 80%. Building on its 2018 release of the industry’s first adhesives with 20% bio-based content, Toyochem is pleased to launch another adhesive innovation with a substantially higher content level. Researchers in Japan achieved this breakthrough by synthesizing the polymer from raw materials derived from biomass. As a result, the new adhesive gives packaging converters who are looking to incorporate biomass into their packaging structures a more eco-friendly alternative without compromising on performance.

The new Cyabine and Oribain adhesives announced today are currently available in Japan with a worldwide release to follow in the next few years. With its ever-growing portfolios of biodegradable, bio-based, ultra-high solids and water-based adhesive products, Toyochem will continually work to create innovative solutions that help reduce the environmental load on society.