VAE vs EVA – waterbased vs hot melt adhesive

There is often confusion about VAE and EVA adhesives. Whether these are hot melt or waterbased adhesives.

Typically VAE are waterbased binders

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

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 levelling compounds. VAE powders can also be used to enhance production properties of thermoplastic materials like PLA, PHA and PHB.

Dry vae powders are also good 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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