What is the best water based glue?

Water-based adhesives, also known as “wet” glues, are widely used in various industries such as paper labeling, woodworking, automotive, and non-woven applications. Here’s a brief guide to their properties and applications:

1. Dextrin and Starch-Based Adhesives:
   • Popular in the paper industry.
   • Very durable with specific materials.
   • Biobased, biodegradable, and compostable.
   • Break down when exposed to water.
2. Casein-Based Adhesives:
   • Provide strong bonds.
   • Relatively long curing time.
   • Resistant to water.
   • Ideal for glass bottle labeling in the beverage industry.
3. Synthetic-Based Adhesives:
   • Modern and customizable.
   • Form stronger bonds.
   • Suitable for challenging applications and environments
   • PVAC, Styrene Acrylic, Acrylic and VAE technology

Water-based adhesives offer environmental benefits and are easy to clean off equipment. They work by applying liquid glue, with water as a carrier, allowing it to form a bond after evaporation or absorption into porous substrates. Keep in mind that some wet glues have a limited shelf life compared to other adhesive technologie.

VAE technology

Intercol is specialised in VAE technology, also to enhance the properties of other technologies, like PVAC, dextrin and starch based adhesives. VAE on it’s own is already a kind of hybrid technology, combing Vinyl-Acetate with Ethylene. With this build in plasticizer a range from hard to soft adhesives are already possible, without external plasticizers. Therefore VAE technology has been proven to be a perfect match for food packaging purposes.

Furthermore VAE has a relative low environmental impact and is also proven in many construction applications. Dry VAE powder is a key ingredient in many dry cementious adhesives and floor levellers. Basic PVAC adhesives are already widely used in wood, furniture and assembly applications.