Henkel Adhesive Technologies has developed a water-based heat-seal coating for paper e-commerce mailers, enabling automated systems to produce envelopes sized to each shipment while supporting the recyclability of the finished packaging.
Applied to paper by the packaging manufacturer, Aquence HS 2819 RE allows e-commerce businesses to form mailing envelopes directly from rolls. Automated systems cut the paper to suit the product before sealing it using heat.
The approach reduces reliance on predefined box and envelope sizes. Henkel says mailers made from heat-sealable roll stock can adapt to a product’s shape, reducing empty space and material consumption while improving logistics efficiency.
Made from high-strength kraft paper, the envelopes are used for products including clothing, electronics and toys. According to Henkel, the fashion industry accounts for more than half of global demand for flexible e-commerce packaging.
The company says Aquence HS 2819 RE provides a reliable seal on paper and is compatible with recycling, with recyclability confirmed by accredited testing institutes. The formulation is also free of mineral oils.
Dr Arianna Savini, Henkel’s market strategy manager Europe paper packaging, says the coating supports automated right-sizing without compromising functionality or recyclability.
“The coating runs stably on flexographic and rotogravure printing presses, even at high speeds,” Savini says.
“As a platform technology, it is also suitable for other paper-based applications, such as food packaging, industrial bags, and hygiene products.”
Henkel has also released a white paper, Beyond the Box: Unlocking Right-Sized Paper Mailers in E-Commerce, examining how automated packaging systems and paper mailing envelopes can work together. It covers the role of heat-seal coatings in producing packaging tailored to individual shipments, alongside requirements under future regulatory frameworks.
