Starch additives are a vital component in the corrugated packaging industry. They are used to improve the bonding characteristics of adhesives, by ensuring a stronger and longer lasting bond.
All manufacturers of corrugated board worldwide are put under enormous pressure to comply with stringent, environmental regulations. Some countries are under more pressure than others depending on each country’s environmental policies. This pressure is also added to by availability the latest state-of-the-art machinery which provides wider capacity and a more rapid corrugation process.
The need for Starch Additives outside the non-food industry
The manufacture of paper and the starch adhesive industry are the biggest users globally of starches, outside the food industry. The manufacturing process incorporates both dry and wet-end processes.
A dry-end process requires starch with starch additives in order to coat and size the paper itself.
A wet-end process has to have a starch with starch additives to join the fibers of the paper together and to act as an organic filler.
The next process is when the paper receives a coating of starch. Heat is applied, and this encourages the adhesive to turn into a gel-like substance. This, in turn, gives the corrugated cardboard material a powerful adhesive.
The number one choice for joining products together
In terms of joining things together, adhesives are the number one choice across the world dependent on specific applications. When compared with other processes such as riveting and welding, adhesives have several advantages.
* The likelihood of material fatigue is reduced
* The propensity to corrode is lessened
* Adhesives can grant additional rigidity and stiffness
* The bonded products are usually lighter, weight wise
Without the inclusion of the latest cutting edge starch additives in our adhesive formulations, the bonding process would not be as durable as it is now is.
