New-Generation H.B. Fuller Swift® Tak Adhesives Meet Rising Demand for Paper Straws

H.B. Fuller (NYSE: FUL) has launched a new generation of high-performance adhesives featuring Swift® grade 5730 to produce consumer-safe, liquid-resistant paper straws designed for fast-moving machinery and enhanced sustainability.   [caption id="attachment_123687" align="aligncenter"] Image Source: Business Wire[/caption]   As single-use plastic bans adopted by global regulators come into force worldwide, and the European Union sets out a ban on single-use plastics such as plates, cutlery and straws by mid-2021, guiding the rest of the world, manufacturers now need a high-performance adhesive they can rely on to meet growing demand for paper straws. According to proprietary research conducted by H.B. Fuller, the Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for paper straws in Europe is expected to increase by 31 per cent over the next three years. This projection, combined with impending comprehensive legislation, reinforces sustainability as one of the guiding themes in strategy and product development for major players in the sector. H.B. Fuller is committed to developing smarter solutions for the benefit of people and the planet. With this in mind, a multidisciplinary team of scientists developed Swift grade 5730 water-based adhesive to further advance the paper straw industry. This technology offers paper straw manufacturers superior performance in consistency, ease of processing, cleanability and overall productivity in response to growing demand for safe and sustainable paper straws. Free of plasticizers and liquid-resistant for three hours, this new generation adhesive exceeds market requirements for cold beverages, providing high-quality durable straws and reducing operational downtime. In fact, its high wet tack enables manufacturers to meet aggressive productivity targets while using fast paper straw machines capable of producing more than 500 straws per minute. Swift grade 5730 provides a competitive advantage for hub wrapping and slotted nozzle applications for producing straight or flexible cold drink sticks such as those typically used in juice boxes. Overall, as the adhesive comprises less than 5 per cent of the total dry weight of a paper straw, it enables paper straws to be recycled and/or industrially composted.[1] This technology is formulated to be compliant with the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Food Contact Recommendation BfRXXXVI (Paper and Cardboard for Food Contact Materials) to help ensure maximum consumer safety for food contact of paper straws. While BfR recommendations are not legal standards, they are widely respected throughout the European Union industry. Michel Cordos, Technical Manager for H.B. Fuller Paper Straws, states, "We want to enable the production and use of alternatives in smart designs to help create a path towards a more sustainable economy. We are very pleased to present Swift® grade 5730, a more sustainable and safe formulation with strong performance, while contributing to the reduction of single-use plastics. Our experts provide technical support on demand to guide paper straw and equipment manufacturers as well as paper suppliers on how to efficiently produce durable liquid-resistant straws with the lowest possible manufacturer total cost to meet this growing market." A leading adhesive supplier to the global paper straw industry, H.B. Fuller is committed not only to advancing innovations that promote sustainability, but also to participating in industry discussions to redesign foodservice packaging solutions to reduce environmental footprint. H.B. Fuller is a member of 360 ° Foodservice, a non-profit association in Europe formerly known as Pack2Go Europe. The association aims to define an industry framework and guidelines for high-quality paper straws with minimal waste, together with paper and equipment suppliers. [1] Results depend on coating weight, paper and liquid, and are subject to variation.