Dow and Henkel bring sustainability to hot melt adhesives

Dow Packaging and Specialty Plastics, a business division of Dow, has expanded its high-performance AFFINITY™ GA polyolefin elastomers (POE) with the launch of bio-based AFFINITY™ RE. This solution has enabled Dow customer Henkel’s Technomelt SUPRA ECO line to achieve another milestone in both companies’ sustainability goals. 

Climate change is among the greatest technical, social, and economic issues the world is currently facing. That is why reducing the carbon footprint is more vital than ever. As consumers demand more sustainable solutions from suppliers and brands, AFFINITY™ RE offers an alternative to fossil fuel-based products and can help to reduce the carbon footprint whilst delivering the same well-known performance as the entire AFFINITY™ GA range. To achieve this, AFFINITY™ RE is made using bio-based feedstock such as tall oil – a by-product created by the paper-milling industry and ultimately sourced from sustainably managed forests. This whole process is certified on a mass balance basis by the International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC).

“Consumers expect more sustainability from the products they use, and packaging is no exception. We want to support the industry to not just meet consumer expectations but to proactively set ever higher sustainability ambitions,” said Imran Munshi, Dow Packaging & Specialty Plastics consumer marketing manager for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. “At Dow we’re proud to be embarking on a journey towards greater sustainability alongside an innovative customer such as Henkel.”

“Consumers, brand owners, regulators and the industry are demanding change. The use of bio-based material in consumer goods and packaging has been identified as an important driver for sustainable sourcing and lever to reduce environmental footprint. With a leading position in sustainable solutions, Henkel has anticipated these demands and believes in the necessity of driving change within the industry. This can only be achieved through close collaboration with industry partners along the value chain.” said Jenna Koenneke, Global Head of Market Strategy for Consumer Good Adhesives at Henkel. ”When the opportunity came to work with Dow to bring to life this sustainable solution, we saw it as a chance and a responsibility towards the industry and consumers to offer the best quality adhesive for their packaging with the lowest environmental impact through our new Technomelt SUPRA ECO range.” 

The AFFINITY™ RE range consists of three grades with 100% bio-based content on a mass balance basis to optimize the carbon footprint of hot melt adhesives.