Advancing Sustainability in High Performance Laminations

Presented by Eric Hair, Henkel Corporation

The packaging industry is under increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact while maintaining performance standards. One critical area of focus is the transition from traditional solvent-based laminations to solventless technologies. Solvent-based processes, while well-established, pose challenges related to emissions, energy consumption, and workplace safety. However, this transition is not without technical hurdles, particularly in achieving the same level of sterilization performance, filling good resistance, and process reliability demanded by high-performance applications. This presentation will explore the technical challenges that have historically limited the adoption of solventless laminations in demanding packaging environments and highlight recent breakthroughs by Henkel that bridge these gaps. Through innovative adhesive formulations, Henkel has developed solutions that deliver equivalent performance compared to solvent-based systems, enabling converters to meet sustainability goals without compromising quality. Attendees will gain insights into the Solvent-based to solventless transition, science behind these advancements and practical considerations for implementing solventless technology in high-performance laminations.