By Dr. Parul Thapar*1, Riya2

Introduction

Adhesives are non-metallic substances that are capable of joining materials by surface bonding (adhesion), with a bond possessing adequate internal strength (cohesion). Adhesion is the force of attraction between molecules in different layers.1 There are different types of adhesive materials depending on their characteristics and functions which are shown in Table 11-10:

Table 1: Types of Adhesives

S.No.

Types of adhesives

Characteristics

Applications

1.

Bio-based adhesives

Derived from renewable resources like lignin, starch and plant protein. They have high mechanical strength, excellent thermal stability and low initial viscocity.

Used for wood composites, for manufacture of products like plywood and softwood.

2.

Ocular adhesives

These are easy to use. They can potentially minimize post-operative complications.

Substitutes for sutures in operational surgery.

3.

Cyanoacrylate adhesives

Efficient with ease of application; feasible; adhesive strength; biocompatibility; polymerization in moist environment.

Used in medicine and dentistry for oral wounds and surgical procedures.

4.

Epoxy adhesives

Resistant to high heat and chemicals; high cohesion; elasticity and minimal shrinkage

Automobile industries

5.

Emulsion/ Dispersion based adhesives

High molecular weight, low viscous and good workability

Used in paper packaging and food packaging

6.

Polyurethane adhesives

High flexible and bonding strength

Food packaging

7.

Water based adhesives

Contain starch- dextrin or casein

Food packaging

Adhesives for Food Packaging

Based on the above mentioned characteristics, the adhesives used in food packaging are mentioned as following1:

  • Emulsion/ Dispersion based adhesives: These are further of following types:
  1. Vinylacetate based homo and copolymer dispersions- These are used for production and processing of packaging made of paper. These can be utilized in different forms:
  • Bags- Sugar bags, bread
  • Cardboard and corrugated boards- Fruits/ vegatables
  • Folding box- Side beam
  • Pouches and snacks- Milk powder, flour
  • Core and tube winding- Aluminium foil
  1. Pressure sensitive adhesivesThese can adhere to the surface when gentle pressure is applied. These have permanent adequate cohesion. Application: Self-adhesive paper and film labels or tapes. Labels can be applied on food, such as, fruits and vegetables as well as sausages.
  2. Laminating adhesives- These include acrylic dispersions to produce multi-layer lamination of various films. These can be applied for retorts, acrylic dispersions are cross-linked with water-dispersible aliphatic polyisocyanates.
  3. Hot melt adhesives- These can be applied for carton and case closing. They can be applied for:
  • Tray erection- fruits, vegetables
  • Case and carton sealing- cereals
  • Folding boxes- confectionary, biscuits and frozen meals
  • Wrap around- chocolate
  • Bag-in-box- Juice, wine
  1. Cold seals- These can be used in the temperature range of 15- 25°C. Applications- Ice-creams, chocolates and biscuits. Reclosable food packaging- chocolate bars
  2. Heat seals- These are used for lidding applications, where aluminium or plastic lids are bound to food containers. Application- Packaging of dairy products such as yogurts, plastic trays and instant noodle cups.
  • Polyurethane adhesives: These have high flexibility and bonding strength.

Application- a) Bags for coffee powder and chips at room temperature (31°C) or low temperature (0-4°C).

  1. b) Flexible packaging of aggressive food stuffs such as fruit juices or liquid pet food- used for elevated temperature, which is found in pasteurization or retort applications.
  • Water- based adhesives: These are the natural polymers, which are of different types:

Application: a) Adhesives containing starch (dextrin or casein)- used in labelling applications. Starch glues are widely used for production of corrugated boards.

  1. b) Casein adhesives- These are used for labels of cold and wet bottles.
  2. c) Colloidal adhesives- These adhesives contain tackifier resins, eg. Plastic bottles

Conclusion: Adhesive packaging for foods are durable and can preserve food for a long period of time than any other packaging materials. The adhesives can effectively resist water vapour with good transparency. Due to their high tensile strength, low packaging cost and multiple applications, adhesive packaging can be a boon for the food industry. 

References

  1. Toenniessen, M. (2018). Packaging materials- adhesives for food packaging applications. A report by International Life Science Institute, pp. 4-32.
  2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6213312/
  3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7037176/
  4. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pts.2367
  5. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-13449-y
  6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5666723/
  7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6889139/
  8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6571881/
  9. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/230582585_Comparison_of_the_adhesives_used_in_food_packaging_multilayer_materials_and_migration_studies_from_packaging_to_food
  10. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328573412_Effect_of_high-pressure_processing_on_characteristics_of_flexible_packaging_for_foods_and_beverages

 

Authors are 1*Assistant Professor, CT University, Ludhiana-142024, 2Student, CT University, Ludhiana-142024

CSIR- CFTRI Emphasises on ‘Healthy Diet Going Affordable for all’ with activities

CSIR – CFTRI focuses on ‘Healthy Diet Going Affordable for all’. This is in an effort to create awareness about the importance of nutrition and its...

No Nutritional info on Alcoholic Beverage label, Specifies FSSAI

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has stated that there should not be any nutritional info on the label of an alcoholic...

FSSAI initiates Prosecution Against FBOs found Violating food Safety laws

The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the country's apex food regulator, has taken stern action against Food Business Operators...