Formulating With Eastman AQ Polyesters

Eastman Chemical Companyues of The Resinator reported the benefits and characteristics of Eastman's new polyesters for use as base polymers in hot-melt adhesive applications that are water-dispersible (repulpable). Since the last issue, <%=company%>'s Technical Service Laboratory has identified two starting-point formulations; one for case and carton sealing and a second for multiwall bags.

According to laboratory evaluations, the adhesive properties, set times, and application viscosities of these hot-melt formulations are similar to EVA and PE hot-melt adhesives typically employed in these applications. However, unlike the EVA- and PE-based adhesives, the formulations based on Eastman AQ polyesters are repulpable.

Eastman AQ polyesters, which are dispersible in water but not in ionic solutions, are available with melt viscosities ranging from 4,000 to 400,000 cP. Eastman's technical service personnel are in the process of developing starting-point formulas for other applications including nonwovens, pressure-sensitive adhesives, and bottle labeling. The results of this work will be published as they become available.