VAE vs EVA – water based vs hot melt adhesive

There is often confusion about UAE and EVA adhesives. Whether these are hot melt or water-based adhesives.

Typically VAE are water-based binders

The process to make VAE (Vinyl-Acetate-Ethylen) from VAM and ethylene, is done in a reactor with water. Therefore the end product is a water based dispersion. Typically solid contents are between 50% and 60%. These waterbased adhesives can be water soluble after drying.

VAE starts with an “V” because the major part is often Vinyl-acetate

Typically, EVA, is a thermoplastic hot melt

EVA (Ethyl Vinyl Acetate) is very well known as the initiator of a range of thermoplastic hot melt adhesives, used to bond porous, organic, materials like wood, paper and textiles. EVA is also used a lot for the manufacturing of shoes. EVA is typically made as a 100% solids plastic, and therefor not water soluble.

EVA starts with an “E” because the major part is often Ethylene.

AVE

Acetate vinyl ethylene does not exist.

DRY VAE powders

Dry VAE powders are dried dispersions. These are spray dried at the manufacturer of VAE. VAE powders can be watersolluble and thermoplastic. There is a major use of these dry powders in cementious binders, such as concrete, tile adhesives and floor leveling compounds. VAE powders can also be used to enhance production properties of thermoplastic materials like PLA, PHA and PHB.

Dry vae powders are also well compatible with starch and dextrin polymers. Therefor, VAE powders can enhance the properties of these binders, enabling new biobased technologies to grow.

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