WAUWATOSA - Bostik, the adhesive solutions division of Arkema, has announced the launch of Nuplaviva, a series of new products formulated to meet disposable hygiene article manufacturers’ needs for adhesives with renewable content.
As sustainability becomes a greater area of focus throughout the disposable hygiene industry, bringing these adhesives to market now allows Bostik to further support the corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts of producers for baby care, feminine hygiene, and adult incontinence products.
Nuplaviva construction adhesives, initially with 50% and 75% bio-sourced content respectively, provide the same performance and ease of processability expected from Bostik’s traditional adhesive formulations, the company said.
“During the research and development stages of Nuplaviva, it was important we designed an end-product that, although bio-based, article manufacturers did not need to make any changes to their equipment or processes to use,” explained Christophe Morel-Fourrier, Bostik’s Global Marketing Manager, Market Insights and Sustainable Innovation. “Exacting the formulas to meet the demands of high line speeds added another layer of complexity. But our researchers were successful in meeting expectations for behaviour and performance with both Nuplaviva 50 and Nuplaviva 75.’’
Compatibility with respect to substrate usage in various diaper, pad, and pull-on pant designs was a priority for Bostik’s R&D department as they explored and experimented with the Nuplaviva formulations. The new adhesives are said to work well with traditional substrates, but testing has also proven they complement the use of a variety of more sustainable substrates. This allows article producers to further advance their sustainable development objectives.
“Adding bio-sourced content to our adhesives reduces our dependency—and ultimately our customers’ dependency—on the use of fossil carbon,” Morel-Fourrier added. “Resource conservation is at the heart of our circular model. Bostik as a whole is making efforts to modify its own manufacturing process, so it is more efficient, less energy intensive, and generates less waste.”
Bostik also noted that these efforts need to be coordinated to ensure that CSR actions taken at an operational level do not have a negative impact on what is happening further along the value chain. Consumer satisfaction with the product cannot be compromised. Neither can the societal, economical, and environmental impact. That is why the use of bio-sourced content should be done responsibly.
To help manufacturers do that, the company launched ‘Responsibly for Hygiene, Naturally from Bostik’ in June 2021. The launch of Nuplaviva 50 and Nuplaviva 75 are therefore part of the firm's holistic approach to CSR and sustainability. Bostik’s ‘Responsibly for Hygiene’ programme includes webinars, podcasts, website content, as well as additional adhesive launches aimed at helping article producers at all levels expand their knowledge of products, resources, options, and alternatives available so they can make more informed decisions.
