Tokyo, Japan – Toyochem Co., Ltd., a member of the Toyo Ink Group of Japan, announced today that it has developed a new Cyabine™ series of polyurethane pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) with a ultra-high solids content of 99% or more. The new adhesive composition achieves the same performance levels as conventional solvent-based PSAs, while reducing solvent and volatile content to minimal levels. They are suitable for use in a wide range of industrial applications such as protective films.

In recent years, countries around the world have been taking urgent action to mitigate climate change and its impact. This is also true in the field of adhesives, where much research is being conducted in the area of renewable materials derived from bio-based polymers. While petroleum solvents had been extensively used in adhesive systems of the past, there has been a growing call to reduce or eliminate the solvent content as a countermeasure to address environmental concerns.

To meet the demand for lower VOC-emitting products, Toyochem has been gradually building on its lineup of high-solids content adhesive compositions with high levels of non-volatile content. The new PSA product announced today was the outcome of new technological developments in synthesis and crosslinking methods developed by Toyochem. These advances allowed the company to engineer a new high solids system that contributes to reduced CO2 gases during coating and drying processes, for a safer, more environmentally sound work environment.

Typically, the more solids that an adhesive mixture contains, the higher its viscosity is, making it more difficult to coat. To resolve this issue, Toyochem researchers applied its original polymer and crosslink design technology to control chemical reactivity in the development of a new formulation with low viscosity and high solids content while maintaining performance standards. In addition, a unique synthesis method was introduced, making it possible to keep solvent content down to very low levels. These new developments enabled Toyochem to achieve near-100% solids formulations that exhibit excellent transparency, reworkability and air release properties on a par with conventional pressure-sensitive adhesives.

Cyabine ultra-high solids polyurethane PSAs are currently available in Japan with a worldwide release to follow in the next few years. With an ever-growing portfolio of biodegradable, bio-based and water-based adhesive products, Toyochem will continually work to create innovative solutions that help to reduce the environmental load on society.

For more information, visit www.toyo-chem.com/en/.