Mondelez and non-profit R&D giant, Battelle, have developed a next gen adhesive that combines high self-adhesion with low tack. This makes a packaging seal that’s easy to use, easy to apply and only sticks to itself when pressed together. Most importantly, it sticks together with high enough bond strength to give a secure yet easy-open reclose feature that doesn’t fail, time after time.
“Unlike traditional Pressure Sensitive Adhesives, the new Low Tack Adhesive (LTA) is not messy, tacky or expensive. For example, it won’t pick up crumbs from crackers or cookies, that makes traditional adhesives ineffective. All consumers need to do is press it together to create an effective and consistent seal that stands the test of repeated cycles of opening and reclosing,” Cindy Conner, senior market Mmanager in consumer, industrial and medical products at Battelle confirmed.
The adhesive may be pre-applied to packaging film using conventional printing and coating technologies, followed by curing with ultra-violet energy. It is cost effective, both to manufacture and apply. Films with LTA applied can be run on existing packaging machines with few to no modifications and at existing line speeds. Unlike plastic zipper systems, which require expensive packaging line modifications or retro-fits, LTA is already pattern-coated on the film when it arrives at the plant. In most cases, it can be implemented with just a simple seal jaw modification.
LTA was optimised for snack packaging application during its development. The target initial opening force was 300 grams per linear inch. The durable strength peel after repeated opening and closing is greater than 200 grams per linear inch. This puts it on par with easy peel pressure-sensitive adhesive, such as painters’ tape or standard juice bottle foil seals. The strength of the adhesive can be tailored, up or down, depending on need. In testing, its performance remained consistent across twenty openings and reseals.
According to its developers, it may also be customised for a variety of applications that require higher strength as a cost-effective alternative to traditional hook and loop closures.
Mondelez intends that it will eventually be used for snack food packaging, so Battelle and Mondelez are now working to achieve food-contact regulatory clearance. Until then, the adhesive may potentially be applied to the full range of non-food consumer products packaging including facial tissue or wet wipe packs, makeup containers, trash bags, produce packaging, personal care products and detergent packaging.
“We see endless opportunities across packaging types for it to enhance and extend product integrity cost effectively while offering greater convenience to consumers,” stated Stu Stein, director of open innovation at Mondelez International.
