Criteria for Selecting a Corrugated Packaging Adhesive

Bostik works with customers to ensure the right corrugated packaging adhesive is chosen for their specific application. Gain insight into the following criteria we use when helping customers determine which product is best suited for their needs:

It’s important for Bostik to note whether the customer’s substrate is:

• Virgin corrugate
• High recycled corrugate
• Bleached corrugate
• Printed/coated/metalized corrugate

Prior to selecting an adhesive, Bostik also ensures we understand the types of environmental temperatures the final product will experience. These ranges include:

• Warm to hot temperatures (120°F and above)
• Moderate temperatures (45°F to 100°F)
• Cool temperatures (20°F to 40°F)
• Freezing temperatures (-20°F to 20°F)

It’s important for Bostik to note the following application requirements:

• Open time:
  • 5-1 second
  • 1-3 seconds
  • 3-5 seconds
  • 5-15 seconds
• Compression Time
  • 5-1 second
  • 1-5 seconds
  • 5-10 seconds
• Bead dimensions before and after compression

Both the open time and compression time are dependent upon the application temperature in order to determine the right corrugated packaging adhesive.

Also, Bostik considers the customer’s application equipment, as this can determine whether or not a corrugated packaging adhesive will run efficiently and effectively on the given manufacturing process.

Knowing which adhesive application temperature range is needed helps Bostik determine the right fit. As guidelines, the needed temperature ranges are typically:

• 250°F-300°F
• 300°F-350°F
• 350°F-400°F

Please note: Bostik does not recommend 350°F-400°F application temperature range, unless a longer open time and/or deeper penetration into the substrate is needed.

It’s also important for Bostik to understand any other specifications the product needs to meet. These can include:

• FDA direct food contact
• EPA specifications
• Customer-specified tests

For more information on the criteria we follow to ensure the right corrugated packaging adhesive is chosen for our customers’ needs, call 800-7-BOSTIK.