Degradable Pressure Sensitive Adhesives
Polymers and sustainability
Background
Conventional pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) deliver strong tack and peel, but are difficult to remove or recycle once applied. A waterborne, base-degradable PSA platform would enable easy end-of-life removal and more sustainable labels, tapes, and packaging.
Invention
A crosslinker being degradable under basic conditions, wherein the crosslinker comprises moieties derived from e-caprolactone and from lactide and two double bonds.
A method for producing polymeric compositions to be used as a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) with degradable functional groups being degradable under basic conditions.
Potential Applications
- Removable labels and packaging tapes with controlled degradability.
- Industrial tapes for steel and plastics.
- Eco-designed PSAs that enable clean recycling and material recovery.
Key Benefits
- Waterborne PSA process (emulsion/latex); low-VOC.
- Base-degradable networks for easy removal/recycling.
- Robust performance (peel/loop tack/shear/SAFT validated).
- Scalable two-stage emulsion route (seeded semi-batch).
- Tunable properties by adjusting comonomer composition and crosslinker content.
IPR Status
- Patent numbers: EP3980476B1; US12297306B2, WO 2021/058122
- Priority date: 27/09/2019
