How can the use of adhesives in the manufacturing process impact sustainability?

摘要

Sustainability is a big word - and a key driver for every manufacturing business. But sustainability means different things to different people. To some, it means reducing the use of potentially harmful chemicals in the manufacturing process; to others, it means reducing the manufacturing time and improving efficiency; to another group, it may mean reducing the number of parts, especially plastic, and improving their carbon footprint. So how does the choice of adhesives affect sustainability at potentially every level? One of the key factors is how the adhesive itself is manufactured. 'Traditional' methods of manufacturing face a number of challenges. Typically, they consume large amounts of energy and generate high levels of waste. Controlling potentially harmful emissions is similarly an issue. New manufacturing processes have been developed that overcome these issues and more.