As sustainability shifts from a buzzword to a business imperative in the packaging industry, brands are increasingly scrutinizing every part of their supply chains – right down to the adhesives holding their packaging together.
For forward-thinking companies, biodegradable hot melt adhesives like Tecbond 214B and Tecbond 110B-PR are no longer alternatives or nice-to-haves. These formulations are becoming essential tools for meeting environmental targets and consumer expectations. For converters seeking to retain a competitive edge in an increasingly eco-conscious market, understanding why this switch is being made is more important than ever.
Aligning with consumer values
Today’s shoppers don’t just buy products – they buy values. A 2025 surge in eco-conscious consumerism has made biodegradable packaging a market differentiator, with research suggesting people may pay nearly 10% more for responsibly sourced and manufactured products. Brands using adhesives like Tecbond 214B signal meticulous attention to sustainability, fostering loyalty among environmentally aware demographics.
This is particularly crucial for sectors like food, cosmetics, and FMCG, where packaging often serves as the first touchpoint with customers. By ensuring every component, including the adhesive, aligns with their ethical positioning, brands can avoid accusations of greenwashing and build genuine trust.
Reducing microplastic pollution
Microplastics are quickly growing as an environmental issue of concern across industries. These microscopic polymer fragments can disrupt ecosystems by affecting soil properties and the food web, potentially posing a threat to health when consumed.
When conventional adhesives degrade, they often leave behind microplastics and other harmful chemicals. In contrast, biodegradable adhesives like Tecbond 214B and 110B-PR break down naturally into organic matter. Unlike other adhesives they leave no harmful residues, making them a powerful tool for brands looking to prove their commitment to the environment.
Streamlining waste processing
Conventional adhesives can also present a problem to recycling infrastructure, which require complex, expensive separation processes to ensure efficient material reprocessing. Biodegradable adhesives simplify this equation. Compatible with existing recycling systems, they allow fibre-based packaging to be processed efficiently without contaminating recycled materials.
For compostable packaging, Tecbond products meet stringent biodegradability standards, ensuring adhesives won’t undermine composability claims. This dual functionality reduces landfill dependency and aligns with circular economy principles – a critical advantage as Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) fees rise globally.
Technological advancements driving adoption
Today’s biodegradable adhesive formulations have no trade-off between functionality and sustainability. Tecbond 214B matches the bond strength and setting speed of many conventional packaging hot melt alternatives, while 110B-PR’s low viscosity enables precise application without clogging machinery.
These advancements mean manufacturers can switch without retrofitting equipment – a cost-saving benefit that accelerates ROI. Moreover, certifications like EN13432 provide assurance that these adhesives perform as promised in industrial and home composting environments.
The competitive edge
For converters and brands alike, biodegradable adhesives are becoming a strategic asset, catering to a consumer base that increasingly votes with its wallet. As fibre-based packaging grows in prominence, adhesives like Tecbond 214B and 110B-PR ensure companies remain competitive in a sustainability–driven landscape.
The shift to biodegradable adhesives isn’t just about ethics – it’s a pragmatic response to market demands and technological progress. For brands serious about sustainability, solutions like Power Adhesives’ Tecbond range offer a seamless transition, combining environmental responsibility with uncompromised performance.
