As carton and box manufacturers look for more effective ways to maximise productivity and reduce costs, National Adhesives continues to demonstrate commitment to customer demand through strategic innovation. Its AEROBOND system is one example. AEROBOND incorporates a laminating adhesive with a unique and patented foaming device - the ``GLUE-MIX ­`` unit - which introduces air bubbles into the adhesive mix, substantially reducing the volume of adhesive used in lamination and in litho- lamination in particular.

The GLUE-MIX operates using 690 stainless steels pins[1] which mechanically divide compressed air, creating tiny air bubbles which are subsequently added to the adhesive. GLUE-MIX is fully automatic and can foam up to 500 litres of adhesive per hour, producing up to 1200 litres of adhesive foam.

Many modern adhesive applicators operate with counter-rotating roller systems transferring glue directly onto the substrate - open corrugated, covered corrugated or full board. In litho-lamination printed sheets are then laminated onto the substrate. With AEROBOND, the average reduction in adhesive consumption is between 10-20%[2]. This is the result of the adhesive’s density and mass being reduced by the air, in addition the amount of moisture in the laminate can be reduced. Bond security is increased, conditioning times and laminator cleaning downtime are minimised and the glue’s adhesion properties are improved.

Using AEROBOND, the physical volume of adhesive applied may be increased, even though adhesive consumption is reduced. The resulting reduction in moisture from the glue line, results in flatter laminates and reduced conditioning times prior to further production stages. Additionally, the aerated adhesive can better accommodate unevenness in the substrate surface, optimise initial tack, and reduce instances of defective bonding. National’s specially formulated AEROBOND adhesives exhibit very clean machining even at the highest production speeds.

AEROBOND is currently being used globally in sheet-to-sheet laminators, inline laminators and in the wood industry. Foaming systems were first introduced in Germany in 1994, and National Adhesives developed GLUE-MIX in 1998. GLUE-MIX stands out through its simple operation, robust design and reliability. When combined with AEROBOND laminating adhesives, GLUE-MIX can demonstrate its full potential and reliability. National Adhesives is now the world market leader in adhesive foam technology in the laminating market and is represented in every continent.

For more information please contact:

Rebecca Whincup or Dave Barton
Clear Communications.
T: 01666 501110
E: rwhincup@clearcommunications.co.uk / dbarton@clearcommunications.co.uk