Why water-based adhesives are used in packaging

Packaging is all about rhythm: high speed, consistent quality, low downtime. Intercol's water-based adhesives are chosen because they enable exactly those three at the same time - with clean processing, tight glue patterns and reliability at production speed.

Performance at high line speeds

Intercol develops adhesives specifically for inliners and folder-gluers that run stably in non-contact spraying, with accurate patterns and fast binding behaviour. This yields strong, instantly loadable pastes and prevents production disruptions in automatic final packaging. The formulations are "clean running" with minimal contamination, fast tack build-up and little to no nozzle or filter clogging, keeping start-up and restart predictable and preventing "fish-tailing".

Efficiency and cost control

Moving from glue wheel to electronic spray application allows less glue to be applied to smaller, precisely positioned areas - in dots rather than streaks at lower speeds, if necessary. This reduces consumption and downtime, while making better use of machine capacity. Intercol links the right adhesive to line settings and operator training, which has reduced unplanned micro-stops due to adhesive problems to zero for customers.

Compatibility with modern equipment and materials

The adhesives are tailored to spray systems from Baumer HHS, Nordson, Valco Melton and Robatech, among others, and support the highest production speeds of OEMs such as Bobst, Heidelberg and Vega. This makes changeovers between order profiles and material combinations more reliable, with consistent adhesive results across a variety of substrates and coatings in corrugated and solid board.

Sustainability, safety and regulation

Water-based adhesives offer low emissions, are non-combustible and align with sustainable packaging. Intercol provides bio-based and biocide-free variants and solutions for food-contact applications, matching the requirements of e-commerce and FMCG packaging. This supports recycling and environmental objectives without compromising line speed and adhesion.

Why specifically for corrugated board and solid board

Corrugated boxes and folding cartons require fast, strong adhesion that is immediately loadable on the press belt and in the automatic packing line. The right water-based adhesive prevents opening slices, edge deformation and fishtailing, even at high speeds and varying gram weights. Clean processing keeps nozzles free, keeping quality and output constant.

In a nutshell

Intercol's water-based adhesives combine clean, non-contact application with fast binding, high tack and process stability. That delivers less downtime, lower consumption, higher speed and consistent box quality - exactly what corrugated and folding sheet production demands

Reasons for using water-based inks

Water-based inks are chosen because they combine high print quality with safe, sustainable processing and application-specific performance. They offer a cleaner process on the shop floor and a better end result on the substrate, without compromising production speed.

Environment and safety

• Low emissions: Less or no VOC, low odour and non-combustible, which is more pleasant for operators and indoor spaces.
• Regulation: Often APEO/phthalate/formaldehyde-free and suitable to meet modern standards and brand requirements.
• Water purification: Equipment and screens can be cleaned with water (or milder agents), reducing waste flows and risks.

Print quality and aesthetics

• Colour rendering: Deep, saturated pigmentation with high coverage (e.g. special whites) and sharp line image.
• Handfeel: Soft, breathable prints on textiles; suitable for fashion, sports and children's wear.
• Effects: Formulations for matt/gloss finish, elastic binders for stretch, and options for special effects.

Process performance and productivity

• Rheology on press: Good viscosity/flow for even transfer in screen, flexo or inkjet variants.
• Fast drying/curing: Efficient drying with stable blocking resistance, supporting throughput and stackability.
• Stencil and nozzle stability: Less clogging/drying out, longer open time and consistent prints on longer runs.

Application-specific formulations

• Textiles (cotton/mixes/polyester): Various binders (acrylic/PU-hybrid/PVAC/VAE) for wax and rub resistance, anti-migration solutions for polyester, low-temp curing for heat-sensitive fabrics.
• Paper/cardboard/packaging: Adhesion to coated/uncoated media, rub and water resistance as required, and low odour for food-near applications.
• Digital and hybrid workflows: Variants matched to DTG/DTF/sublimation progressions or primer/topcoat combinations.

Cost and operational benefits

• More efficient consumption: Higher tinting strength can enable lower ink laydowns.
• Less dropout: Clean processing and predictable drying reduce rework and claims.
• Energy optimisation: Curing at lower temperatures saves energy and makes higher line speeds feasible.