Product safety is important to you … and to us. One of the first steps in helping you make informed decisions about the baby diapers, adult incontinence products and feminine care items you buy is to know what’s in them and why.
In addition to being safe, you want your disposable hygiene products to keep you dry, feel soft, be thin and hold up to the demands of your daily life. Many pieces must work together—and be held together—to make this happen. Adhesives play a very important role in doing just that!
Absorbency without leaks
Adhesives help prevent leaks by keeping the fluffy absorbent fibers and/or super-absorbent gel in the middle (core) of the diaper, pull-up or pad. The wetness indicator that tells you when to change the diaper … that’s an adhesive too.
Comfort and durability throughout the day
Disposable hygiene products need the right adhesives to give you comforts like stretchy leg cuffs and waistbands for a great fit. The adhesives need to be both strong and flexible, so they can bend, stretch and return to their original shape without ever letting go.
Hot-melt adhesives give you just what you need
The best adhesives to give you the features you want in a disposable diaper are called hot-melt adhesives. They form a strong, flexible bond between the different elements of the diaper and give you the elasticity, softness and resistance that are needed for comfort and fit.
The adhesives are applied when hot and then allowed to cool down to form a bond. If you own a hot glue gun, you've used a hot melt adhesive yourself!
Diaper producers like the ease of use that hot-melt adhesives offer and the incredible speed they can reach on production lines.
Doing more than sticking things together
Innovation is critical. That's why adhesives are constantly evolving. Manufacturers are always looking for adhesives that can make an existing product better or bring new product ideas into reality—and most importantly, do it safely.
Not all adhesives are created equal
While there are some alternatives to adhesives available, their use can have drawbacks like:
- Uncomfortable hardness
- Increased noise levels
- Limitations with flexibility
This is why Bostik works closely with disposable hygiene manufacturers to create the best adhesives to keep you safe, comfortable and satisfied.
Want to learn more? Read Hot Melt Adhesives in Disposable Hygiene (and Other Every Day Products).
Discover More about Substances of Interest
