VALUE OF HYDROGENATED HYDROCARBON TACKIFIERS IN PACKAGING APPLICATIONS

摘要

Historically, hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifiers have not been seen as tackifiers of choice for most packaging hot-melt applications. Their price, performance and narrow supply sources were all hurdles to a broader use in packaging. In the meantime, this picture has evolved. On the demand side, packaging adhesive users are now looking for new attributes such as improved odor, thermal stability and adhesion to new difficult substrates and the introduction of new, metallocene based polymers, has broadened the range of polymers to tackify. On the supply side, new leading edge light color hydrogenated aromatic modified tackifiers were introduced. Continuous investment in new capacity led to world scale, safe and reliable supply points using secure and stable feed sources. Process improvements reduced capital and operating costs making hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifiers affordable to a broader range of applications such as packaging. Finally, global grade slates facilitate inter-regional formulation transfers while increasing supply security. This significant value improvement now positions hydrogenated hydrocarbon tackifiers as tackifiers of choice for many packaging applications.