August 5, 2025 • 12 mins
Ever thought that hot glue sticks are just for crafts? Think again. In this episode of Adhesion Matters, we go beyond the DIY trope to uncover the industrial powerhouse behind Henkel’s TECHNOMELT® hot melt adhesives—and how they’re quietly revolutionizing modern manufacturing.
What You’ll Uncover:
- Beyond the Glue Stick
Whether you're patching at the craft table or making millions of products, hot melt adhesives (HMAs) are a cornerstone of fast, precise bonding. We peel back the layers to show how TECHNOMELT® stands at the forefront of this high-performance world. - The Solvent-Free Advantage
No solvents, no drying time, no warping—and drastically reduced VOC emissions. That means safer, greener, and far more efficient line operations, without the downtime or damage often associated with liquid formulas. - Innovation That Cuts Costs
Imagine adhesives so advanced they shave seconds off assembly, save massive energy bills, or keep devices hygienically sealed—Henkel’s relentless R&D delivers meaningful savings and performance gains industry-wide. - Hot Melt That Evolves
From moisture-crosslinked PUR (polyurethane reactive) that transitions into a thermoset for unbeatable durability, to low-temperature “Cool” formulas that lower burn risk, reduce char, and slash energy use by up to 40%. - Wide-Reaching Impact
TECHNOMELT® touches countless industries—from high-speed packaging lines and automotive assembly to electronics potting, bookbinding, personal care, and even diapers. It’s everywhere. - Sustainability Built-In
Cutting energy, cutting waste, increasing uptime—these adhesives are inherently greener. And with new bio-based and eco-conscious variants, like “Eco”-branded solutions, they help users reduce carbon footprints by up to 50%—some cutting thousands of kilograms of CO₂ annually.
Why It Matters:
Henkel’s TECHNOMELT® collection isn’t just about glue—it’s about smarter manufacturing. It’s cleaner, faster, more efficient, and more sustainable. This episode reveals why these adhesives are truly foundational—and how they’re shaping the invisible infrastructure of our everyday lives.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
SPEAKER_01 (00:00):
Welcome to the deep dive.
You know, Most of us wouldprobably use a hot glue gun at
some point, right, for a craftproject or maybe a quick fix
around the house.
SPEAKER_00 (00:08):
Oh, definitely.
That little stick of glue.
SPEAKER_01 (00:10):
Exactly.
But what if I told you thatfamiliar sort of humble glue
stick is just the very tip of ahuge iceberg?
SPEAKER_00 (00:18):
That's a great way to put it, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (00:19):
There's this massive, complex, and honestly
really fascinating industrialtechnology underneath.
SPEAKER_00 (00:25):
That's right.
What you see, that simple hotglue that's above the water
line.
UNKNOWN (00:30):
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_00 (00:31):
But beneath that surface lies this whole
sophisticated kind of hiddenworld of innovation in
industrial hot melt adhesives.
SPEAKER_01 (00:39):
And that's what we're diving into today, far
beyond that craft drawer.
Our goal is really to open youreyes to how this common thing,
hot glue, is actually a bit of asecret weapon in modern
manufacturing.
SPEAKER_00 (00:50):
A foundational technology, really, one we often
just take for granted.
SPEAKER_01 (00:53):
Absolutely.
So we're doing a deep dive intohot melt adhesives, HMA as
you'll hear us call them, andwe'll be looking specifically at
Henkel's Technomelt productline, which is a major player.
SPEAKER_00 (01:03):
Yeah, and this deep dive, it should give you a
shortcut, sort of, to gettingwell-informed about a technology
that, I mean, it literally holdsour modern world together in so
many ways.
SPEAKER_01 (01:15):
So what are they at their core?
SPEAKER_00 (01:17):
Okay, so HMAs are thermoplastic adhesives.
Basically, they're solid whenthey're at room temperature.
SPEAKER_01 (01:24):
Right, like the glue stick.
SPEAKER_00 (01:25):
Exactly like the glue stick.
Then they turn into a liquidwhen you heat them up for
application, and then crucially,they They solidify really fast
when they cool down.
And that forms the bond.
SPEAKER_01 (01:35):
Okay.
So what makes them stand outcompared to, say, other glues,
you know, the liquid ones thatseem to take ages to dry or even
tapes?
Is it that speed?
SPEAKER_00 (01:44):
Speed is a huge part of it.
That almost instant strong bond.
Think about it.
Unlike solvent-based glues,which need long drying times,
maybe special ventilation.
SPEAKER_01 (01:54):
Like the fumes.
SPEAKER_00 (01:55):
Yeah, exactly.
Or even water-based ones thatcan sometimes warp materials
like paper or cardboard ifyou're not careful.
HMAs give you that immediateprecise hold.
SPEAKER_01 (02:04):
It's like clicking Lego bricks together versus
waiting for paint to dry.
SPEAKER_00 (02:07):
That's a perfect analogy.
That instant hold is justcritical in high-speed
manufacturing.
And a really key characteristic,maybe the defining one, is that
they are solvent-free.
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
Okay, solvent-free.
What does that actually mean inpractice?
SPEAKER_00 (02:21):
Well, it means super-fast curing times because
there's no solvent to evaporateoff.
It means less risk of damagingor warping the things you're
sticking together.
SPEAKER_01 (02:29):
And
SPEAKER_00 (02:30):
a big one, significantly reduced or often
completely eliminated That
SPEAKER_01 (02:38):
solvent-free aspect sounds like more than just the
technical detail.
It unlocks potential, doesn'tit?
You mentioned speed,environmental benefits.
But what does solvent-freereally enable that maybe older
glues couldn't?
SPEAKER_00 (02:50):
Well, okay, beyond the obvious green benefits,
which are increasinglyimportant.
SPEAKER_01 (02:54):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (02:55):
Think about the factory floor.
No solvents means you don't needthose expensive, energy-hungry
ventilation systems designed tohandle fumes.
SPEAKER_01 (03:03):
Ah, right, cost-saving.
Big
SPEAKER_00 (03:05):
cost saving.
And it reduces fire hazardssignificantly.
And like we said, you slashthose drying times.
So manufacturers can run theirproduction lines much, much
faster.
Higher throughput, loweroverhead.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
And safer for the workers too, presumably.
SPEAKER_00 (03:19):
Massively safer.
You improve the air qualityright there on the line.
Workers are breathing easier.
It's a huge step up in workplacesafety.
That's a human impact thatsometimes gets overlooked when
we just talk about the tech.
SPEAKER_01 (03:31):
That's really interesting.
So it's cleaner, faster, saferall around.
And you mentioned Henkel'sTechnoMelt is a leader here.
What makes them stand out?
It must be a competitive area.
SPEAKER_00 (03:41):
It is competitive, yeah.
But Henkel stands out through,well, relentless innovation A
real focus on operationalefficiency for their customers
and just a very, verycomprehensive portfolio of
products.
SPEAKER_01 (03:53):
So they have a solution for pretty much
anything.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
Pretty much.
I mean, think about it.
A single breakthrough in theirlabs, maybe a new formulation,
might let a big car maker shavejust a few seconds off
assembling a component.
SPEAKER_01 (04:04):
That doesn't sound like much, but over millions of
cars.
SPEAKER_00 (04:06):
Exactly.
It translates into millions insavings.
Or maybe they develop anadhesive that allows a medical
device company to bond tiny,delicate parts that were
impossible to assemble reliablybefore.
It lets them create entirely newinstruments.
SPEAKER_01 (04:21):
So we're really moving way beyond just hot glue
here.
This is intricate engineeringwith real strategic impact.
SPEAKER_00 (04:27):
That's the core message.
We're looking under thewaterline of that iceberg,
revealing the sophisticated techthat holds things together.
SPEAKER_01 (04:34):
Okay, so as we keep delving deeper here, it's
becoming really clear howsophisticated and, frankly,
impactful these adhesives are,especially Henkel's Technomelt
range.
We've definitely gone from justa simple glue stick to
understanding a prettyfundamental technology.
SPEAKER_00 (04:51):
Exactly.
And we've touched on the coreadvantages, right?
That rapid bonding essential forthe kind of production speeds
manufacturers need today.
And that significantly reducedenvironmental impact compared to
the older solvent-based gluesand even many water-based ones.
The lack of VOCs like wediscussed, that's a really
profound shift.
SPEAKER_01 (05:09):
Yeah, definitely.
But it's not just about whatthey don't have, is it?
Like the solvents, the realmagic seems to be in the
breakthroughs, the differentdifferent types they've
developed.
SPEAKER_00 (05:16):
Absolutely.
Take reactive hot melts, forinstance.
A great example is TechnoMeltPUR.
SPEAKER_01 (05:22):
PUR, what does that stand for?
SPEAKER_00 (05:24):
Polyurethane reactive.
And this is where it gets reallyclever.
It starts off behaving like astandard hot melt.
You apply it hot, it cools, itholds the parts together quickly
so you can handle them.
SPEAKER_01 (05:35):
Okay, so that initial fast grab.
SPEAKER_00 (05:37):
Right.
But then it undergoes a chemicalreaction, usually with moisture
in the air or the substrate.
And it cross-links, essentiallyturning into a durable thermoset
polymer.
SPEAKER_01 (05:47):
Thermoset, meaning it sets permanently.
SPEAKER_00 (05:49):
Exactly.
Think of it like baking a cake.
Once that batter is baked, it'scake.
You can heat it up, but it won'tturn back into liquid batter.
SPEAKER_01 (05:58):
Ah, I see.
So it won't remelt like astandard hot glue stick might.
SPEAKER_00 (06:02):
Precisely.
That permanent transformationgives it incredible resilience,
much higher strength, often moreflexibility depending on the
formulation, and much betterresistance to heat, chemicals,
moisture.
Really tough stuff for demandingapplications.
SPEAKER_01 (06:17):
That's quite an advancement.
And what about the other end ofthe spectrum?
I think you mentioned lowtemperature options.
SPEAKER_00 (06:22):
Yes.
That's another reallyfascinating area of innovation.
Products like TechnoMelt.
Cool.
These are designed to be appliedat significantly lower
temperatures than traditionalhot melts.
SPEAKER_01 (06:32):
And the benefit there is?
SPEAKER_00 (06:33):
Well, several benefits, actually.
First, energy savings.
You need less energy to heat theadhesive up to its application
temperature.
Henkel talks about potentialsavings of up to 40% for the
melting unit.
SPEAKER_01 (06:45):
Wow.
Wow, 40% is huge over thousandsof hours of operation.
SPEAKER_00 (06:49):
It really adds up.
Second, improve safety.
Lower temperatures mean asignificantly reduced risk of
severe burns for operators,especially in places where the
application isn't fullyautomated.
SPEAKER_01 (07:00):
That makes sense.
Less hazard.
SPEAKER_00 (07:02):
Definitely.
And third, it often means lesschar formation.
You know, that sticky burntresidue you can get.
SPEAKER_01 (07:08):
Like burnt sugar in a pan.
SPEAKER_00 (07:10):
Exactly like that.
Char can gum up the applicationequipment, cause nozzle
blockages, things like that.
like that.
Lower temperatures mean lessthermal stress on the adhesive,
so less char.
SPEAKER_01 (07:20):
Which means the machines run cleaner, presumably
need less maintenance.
SPEAKER_00 (07:24):
You got it.
Equipment runs cleaner, runslonger between cleanings, needs
less maintenance overall, betteruptime.
SPEAKER_01 (07:31):
Okay.
When you put that together, theenergy savings, the better
safety, less maintenance for abig manufacturer, what kind of
real-world impact does thathave, day-to-day, bottom line?
I'm thinking especially forthings sensitive to heat, like,
say, packaging for chilled orfrozen foods.
SPEAKER_00 (07:47):
Oh, it's absolutely a game-changer for applications
like that.
For any manufacturer, lessenergy means lower operating
costs, straight up.
Improved safety reduces risk,potentially insurance costs, and
lost time due to accidents.
Less maintenance means moreproduction uptime.
And specifically for thosetemperature sensitive goods.
Chilled foods, frozen items,pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,
(08:09):
sometimes applying a cooleradhesive means you don't risk
damaging the product or theprimary packaging with excessive
heat during the sealing process.
It preserves the integrity ofeverything.
SPEAKER_01 (08:19):
So the range of industries using these must be
huge then.
SPEAKER_00 (08:22):
Oh, it's vast, really vast.
You've got the high-speedpackaging lines, like we
mentioned, your cereal box,tissues, corrugated cases for
shipping.
Yeah.
Then automotive assembly,bonding, interior trim,
headlamps, sound deadeningmaterial.
Electronics encapsulatingsensitive components to protect
them from vibration or moisture.
SPEAKER_01 (08:40):
Encapsulating, like potting.
SPEAKER_00 (08:42):
Exactly, potting or encapsulation.
Then there's furniture assembly,bookbinding, even things like
filters.
And personal hygiene products,think diapers, sanitary products
where they use specialized,often bio-based hot melts.
It really is everywhere, oftenhidden in plain sight.
SPEAKER_01 (08:56):
It really sounds like Henkel's leadership then.
It's driven by more than justhaving good glue.
What really sets them apart inthis competitive space?
SPEAKER_00 (09:05):
I think if you connect all the dots, it boils
down to a few key things.
First, like we've been saying,that unwavering commitment to
technological innovation.
SPEAKER_01 (09:13):
Right, the PUR, the cool adhesives.
SPEAKER_00 (09:16):
Yes, and advanced formulations for specific needs,
pioneering bio-based options.
Their innovation isn't justabout small tweaks.
It's often about fundamentallynew way to solve bonding
challenges, pushing theenvelope.
SPEAKER_01 (09:29):
And you also mentioned operational efficiency
for the customer.
SPEAKER_00 (09:32):
That's the second pillar, absolutely.
A relentless pursuit ofefficiencies that translate
directly into benefits for theuser.
I've heard about things liketheir pack-and-go capability.
SPEAKER_01 (09:42):
Oh, yeah.
What's that?
SPEAKER_00 (09:43):
It means the adhesive sets so quickly and
strongly that products can bepacked for shipping almost
immediately after bonding, nowaiting around, speeds up the
whole logistics chain.
SPEAKER_01 (09:52):
That's huge for throughput.
SPEAKER_00 (09:54):
It is.
And things like reduced charformation we talked about.
That means longer equipmentlife, less downtime for
cleaning.
I actually saw a case study.
I think it was TechnoMelt EcomE2 Cool.
SPEAKER_01 (10:04):
Okay.
Ecom for e-commerce packaging, Iguess.
And Cool for low temp.
SPEAKER_00 (10:09):
Exactly.
And the E2 often signalsenhanced efficiency.
They showed something like a 42%reduction in energy use and a
massive 52% reduction in theamount of adhesive needed for
the same job compared to aprevious solution.
SPEAKER_01 (10:21):
52% less adhesive.
Wow.
SPEAKER_00 (10:24):
Yeah.
Those are tangible cost savingsand real increases in output for
customers.
It's not just theoretical.
SPEAKER_01 (10:30):
And the third piece must be sustainability, right?
You've touched on it a fewtimes.
SPEAKER_00 (10:34):
Crucially, yes.
A deep-seated commitment tosustainability.
The solvent-free nature is sortof the foundation, but they're
actively developing morebio-based formulations.
SPEAKER_01 (10:44):
Like for the hygiene products you mentioned.
SPEAKER_00 (10:45):
Right, like Technomelt DM Eco for hygiene,
which they say reduces thecarbon footprint by up to 50%.
Or another one, Technomelt Supra079 Eco Cool.
Combining bio-based content withlow-temp application, they
projected it could save a useraround 7500 kilograms of CO2 per
year.
SPEAKER_01 (11:02):
So real, measurable environmental benefits.
SPEAKER_00 (11:05):
Absolutely.
It's about helping theircustomers and themselves move
towards a more responsible wayof operating.
Yeah.
And they combine all this, theinnovation, the efficiency
focus, the sustainability drive,with a truly global reach and a
very customer-centric approach,tailoring solutions.
SPEAKER_01 (11:21):
Okay, so wrapping this up then, what does this all
mean for you, the listener?
We've really seen how these hotmelt adhesives, and particularly
Hunkle's TechnoMelt line, arejust so much more sophisticated
and impactful than they firstappear.
We started with that simple gluestick image, but we've uncovered
this world of rapid bonding,enabling incredible product And
SPEAKER_00 (11:42):
that significantly reduced environmental footprint
compared to older technologies,especially the solvent-based
ones.
It's a cleaner process.
SPEAKER_01 (11:48):
And we saw those technological leaps like the
reactive hot melts, the PUR onesthat become super durable,
almost like a thermoset plasticafter they bond.
SPEAKER_00 (11:55):
And the really innovative low temperature
adhesives, the cool range,saving energy, making workplaces
safer.
SPEAKER_01 (12:02):
And they serve just this huge array of industries
from, you know, the cereal boxyou might have opened this
morning or the tissue box onyour desk to the car you drive,
maybe even delicate medicaldevices or the phone in your
pocket.
SPEAKER_00 (12:15):
And Henkel's leadership role here, it isn't
just about being big.
It seems to be aboutconsistently pioneering new
possibilities, always pushingfor better efficiency for their
users and having this reallystrong, genuine commitment to
sustainable solutions.
SPEAKER_01 (12:29):
It really is about more than just GRU, isn't it?
enabling modern manufacturingmodern life in many ways.
SPEAKER_00 (12:36):
Well said, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:37):
So here's a final thought for you.
The next time you open apackage, maybe grab a tissue, or
even just get into your car,take a second to consider the
hidden engineering marvel, thatinvisible bond, the adhesive
that helped make it allpossible.
And maybe ask yourself, whatother invisible technologies are
shaping our daily lives that werarely stop to appreciate?
Welcome to the deep dive.
You know, Most of us wouldprobably use a hot glue gun at
some point, right, for a craftproject or maybe a quick fix
around the house.
SPEAKER_00 (00:08):
Oh, definitely.
That little stick of glue.
SPEAKER_01 (00:10):
Exactly.
But what if I told you thatfamiliar sort of humble glue
stick is just the very tip of ahuge iceberg?
SPEAKER_00 (00:18):
That's a great way to put it, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (00:19):
There's this massive, complex, and honestly
really fascinating industrialtechnology underneath.
SPEAKER_00 (00:25):
That's right.
What you see, that simple hotglue that's above the water
line.
UNKNOWN (00:30):
Mm-hmm.
SPEAKER_00 (00:31):
But beneath that surface lies this whole
sophisticated kind of hiddenworld of innovation in
industrial hot melt adhesives.
SPEAKER_01 (00:39):
And that's what we're diving into today, far
beyond that craft drawer.
Our goal is really to open youreyes to how this common thing,
hot glue, is actually a bit of asecret weapon in modern
manufacturing.
SPEAKER_00 (00:50):
A foundational technology, really, one we often
just take for granted.
SPEAKER_01 (00:53):
Absolutely.
So we're doing a deep dive intohot melt adhesives, HMA as
you'll hear us call them, andwe'll be looking specifically at
Henkel's Technomelt productline, which is a major player.
SPEAKER_00 (01:03):
Yeah, and this deep dive, it should give you a
shortcut, sort of, to gettingwell-informed about a technology
that, I mean, it literally holdsour modern world together in so
many ways.
SPEAKER_01 (01:15):
So what are they at their core?
SPEAKER_00 (01:17):
Okay, so HMAs are thermoplastic adhesives.
Basically, they're solid whenthey're at room temperature.
SPEAKER_01 (01:24):
Right, like the glue stick.
SPEAKER_00 (01:25):
Exactly like the glue stick.
Then they turn into a liquidwhen you heat them up for
application, and then crucially,they They solidify really fast
when they cool down.
And that forms the bond.
SPEAKER_01 (01:35):
Okay.
So what makes them stand outcompared to, say, other glues,
you know, the liquid ones thatseem to take ages to dry or even
tapes?
Is it that speed?
SPEAKER_00 (01:44):
Speed is a huge part of it.
That almost instant strong bond.
Think about it.
Unlike solvent-based glues,which need long drying times,
maybe special ventilation.
SPEAKER_01 (01:54):
Like the fumes.
SPEAKER_00 (01:55):
Yeah, exactly.
Or even water-based ones thatcan sometimes warp materials
like paper or cardboard ifyou're not careful.
HMAs give you that immediateprecise hold.
SPEAKER_01 (02:04):
It's like clicking Lego bricks together versus
waiting for paint to dry.
SPEAKER_00 (02:07):
That's a perfect analogy.
That instant hold is justcritical in high-speed
manufacturing.
And a really key characteristic,maybe the defining one, is that
they are solvent-free.
SPEAKER_01 (02:17):
Okay, solvent-free.
What does that actually mean inpractice?
SPEAKER_00 (02:21):
Well, it means super-fast curing times because
there's no solvent to evaporateoff.
It means less risk of damagingor warping the things you're
sticking together.
SPEAKER_01 (02:29):
And
SPEAKER_00 (02:30):
a big one, significantly reduced or often
completely eliminated That
SPEAKER_01 (02:38):
solvent-free aspect sounds like more than just the
technical detail.
It unlocks potential, doesn'tit?
You mentioned speed,environmental benefits.
But what does solvent-freereally enable that maybe older
glues couldn't?
SPEAKER_00 (02:50):
Well, okay, beyond the obvious green benefits,
which are increasinglyimportant.
SPEAKER_01 (02:54):
Yeah.
SPEAKER_00 (02:55):
Think about the factory floor.
No solvents means you don't needthose expensive, energy-hungry
ventilation systems designed tohandle fumes.
SPEAKER_01 (03:03):
Ah, right, cost-saving.
Big
SPEAKER_00 (03:05):
cost saving.
And it reduces fire hazardssignificantly.
And like we said, you slashthose drying times.
So manufacturers can run theirproduction lines much, much
faster.
Higher throughput, loweroverhead.
SPEAKER_01 (03:17):
And safer for the workers too, presumably.
SPEAKER_00 (03:19):
Massively safer.
You improve the air qualityright there on the line.
Workers are breathing easier.
It's a huge step up in workplacesafety.
That's a human impact thatsometimes gets overlooked when
we just talk about the tech.
SPEAKER_01 (03:31):
That's really interesting.
So it's cleaner, faster, saferall around.
And you mentioned Henkel'sTechnoMelt is a leader here.
What makes them stand out?
It must be a competitive area.
SPEAKER_00 (03:41):
It is competitive, yeah.
But Henkel stands out through,well, relentless innovation A
real focus on operationalefficiency for their customers
and just a very, verycomprehensive portfolio of
products.
SPEAKER_01 (03:53):
So they have a solution for pretty much
anything.
SPEAKER_00 (03:55):
Pretty much.
I mean, think about it.
A single breakthrough in theirlabs, maybe a new formulation,
might let a big car maker shavejust a few seconds off
assembling a component.
SPEAKER_01 (04:04):
That doesn't sound like much, but over millions of
cars.
SPEAKER_00 (04:06):
Exactly.
It translates into millions insavings.
Or maybe they develop anadhesive that allows a medical
device company to bond tiny,delicate parts that were
impossible to assemble reliablybefore.
It lets them create entirely newinstruments.
SPEAKER_01 (04:21):
So we're really moving way beyond just hot glue
here.
This is intricate engineeringwith real strategic impact.
SPEAKER_00 (04:27):
That's the core message.
We're looking under thewaterline of that iceberg,
revealing the sophisticated techthat holds things together.
SPEAKER_01 (04:34):
Okay, so as we keep delving deeper here, it's
becoming really clear howsophisticated and, frankly,
impactful these adhesives are,especially Henkel's Technomelt
range.
We've definitely gone from justa simple glue stick to
understanding a prettyfundamental technology.
SPEAKER_00 (04:51):
Exactly.
And we've touched on the coreadvantages, right?
That rapid bonding essential forthe kind of production speeds
manufacturers need today.
And that significantly reducedenvironmental impact compared to
the older solvent-based gluesand even many water-based ones.
The lack of VOCs like wediscussed, that's a really
profound shift.
SPEAKER_01 (05:09):
Yeah, definitely.
But it's not just about whatthey don't have, is it?
Like the solvents, the realmagic seems to be in the
breakthroughs, the differentdifferent types they've
developed.
SPEAKER_00 (05:16):
Absolutely.
Take reactive hot melts, forinstance.
A great example is TechnoMeltPUR.
SPEAKER_01 (05:22):
PUR, what does that stand for?
SPEAKER_00 (05:24):
Polyurethane reactive.
And this is where it gets reallyclever.
It starts off behaving like astandard hot melt.
You apply it hot, it cools, itholds the parts together quickly
so you can handle them.
SPEAKER_01 (05:35):
Okay, so that initial fast grab.
SPEAKER_00 (05:37):
Right.
But then it undergoes a chemicalreaction, usually with moisture
in the air or the substrate.
And it cross-links, essentiallyturning into a durable thermoset
polymer.
SPEAKER_01 (05:47):
Thermoset, meaning it sets permanently.
SPEAKER_00 (05:49):
Exactly.
Think of it like baking a cake.
Once that batter is baked, it'scake.
You can heat it up, but it won'tturn back into liquid batter.
SPEAKER_01 (05:58):
Ah, I see.
So it won't remelt like astandard hot glue stick might.
SPEAKER_00 (06:02):
Precisely.
That permanent transformationgives it incredible resilience,
much higher strength, often moreflexibility depending on the
formulation, and much betterresistance to heat, chemicals,
moisture.
Really tough stuff for demandingapplications.
SPEAKER_01 (06:17):
That's quite an advancement.
And what about the other end ofthe spectrum?
I think you mentioned lowtemperature options.
SPEAKER_00 (06:22):
Yes.
That's another reallyfascinating area of innovation.
Products like TechnoMelt.
Cool.
These are designed to be appliedat significantly lower
temperatures than traditionalhot melts.
SPEAKER_01 (06:32):
And the benefit there is?
SPEAKER_00 (06:33):
Well, several benefits, actually.
First, energy savings.
You need less energy to heat theadhesive up to its application
temperature.
Henkel talks about potentialsavings of up to 40% for the
melting unit.
SPEAKER_01 (06:45):
Wow.
Wow, 40% is huge over thousandsof hours of operation.
SPEAKER_00 (06:49):
It really adds up.
Second, improve safety.
Lower temperatures mean asignificantly reduced risk of
severe burns for operators,especially in places where the
application isn't fullyautomated.
SPEAKER_01 (07:00):
That makes sense.
Less hazard.
SPEAKER_00 (07:02):
Definitely.
And third, it often means lesschar formation.
You know, that sticky burntresidue you can get.
SPEAKER_01 (07:08):
Like burnt sugar in a pan.
SPEAKER_00 (07:10):
Exactly like that.
Char can gum up the applicationequipment, cause nozzle
blockages, things like that.
like that.
Lower temperatures mean lessthermal stress on the adhesive,
so less char.
SPEAKER_01 (07:20):
Which means the machines run cleaner, presumably
need less maintenance.
SPEAKER_00 (07:24):
You got it.
Equipment runs cleaner, runslonger between cleanings, needs
less maintenance overall, betteruptime.
SPEAKER_01 (07:31):
Okay.
When you put that together, theenergy savings, the better
safety, less maintenance for abig manufacturer, what kind of
real-world impact does thathave, day-to-day, bottom line?
I'm thinking especially forthings sensitive to heat, like,
say, packaging for chilled orfrozen foods.
SPEAKER_00 (07:47):
Oh, it's absolutely a game-changer for applications
like that.
For any manufacturer, lessenergy means lower operating
costs, straight up.
Improved safety reduces risk,potentially insurance costs, and
lost time due to accidents.
Less maintenance means moreproduction uptime.
And specifically for thosetemperature sensitive goods.
Chilled foods, frozen items,pharmaceuticals, cosmetics,
(08:09):
sometimes applying a cooleradhesive means you don't risk
damaging the product or theprimary packaging with excessive
heat during the sealing process.
It preserves the integrity ofeverything.
SPEAKER_01 (08:19):
So the range of industries using these must be
huge then.
SPEAKER_00 (08:22):
Oh, it's vast, really vast.
You've got the high-speedpackaging lines, like we
mentioned, your cereal box,tissues, corrugated cases for
shipping.
Yeah.
Then automotive assembly,bonding, interior trim,
headlamps, sound deadeningmaterial.
Electronics encapsulatingsensitive components to protect
them from vibration or moisture.
SPEAKER_01 (08:40):
Encapsulating, like potting.
SPEAKER_00 (08:42):
Exactly, potting or encapsulation.
Then there's furniture assembly,bookbinding, even things like
filters.
And personal hygiene products,think diapers, sanitary products
where they use specialized,often bio-based hot melts.
It really is everywhere, oftenhidden in plain sight.
SPEAKER_01 (08:56):
It really sounds like Henkel's leadership then.
It's driven by more than justhaving good glue.
What really sets them apart inthis competitive space?
SPEAKER_00 (09:05):
I think if you connect all the dots, it boils
down to a few key things.
First, like we've been saying,that unwavering commitment to
technological innovation.
SPEAKER_01 (09:13):
Right, the PUR, the cool adhesives.
SPEAKER_00 (09:16):
Yes, and advanced formulations for specific needs,
pioneering bio-based options.
Their innovation isn't justabout small tweaks.
It's often about fundamentallynew way to solve bonding
challenges, pushing theenvelope.
SPEAKER_01 (09:29):
And you also mentioned operational efficiency
for the customer.
SPEAKER_00 (09:32):
That's the second pillar, absolutely.
A relentless pursuit ofefficiencies that translate
directly into benefits for theuser.
I've heard about things liketheir pack-and-go capability.
SPEAKER_01 (09:42):
Oh, yeah.
What's that?
SPEAKER_00 (09:43):
It means the adhesive sets so quickly and
strongly that products can bepacked for shipping almost
immediately after bonding, nowaiting around, speeds up the
whole logistics chain.
SPEAKER_01 (09:52):
That's huge for throughput.
SPEAKER_00 (09:54):
It is.
And things like reduced charformation we talked about.
That means longer equipmentlife, less downtime for
cleaning.
I actually saw a case study.
I think it was TechnoMelt EcomE2 Cool.
SPEAKER_01 (10:04):
Okay.
Ecom for e-commerce packaging, Iguess.
And Cool for low temp.
SPEAKER_00 (10:09):
Exactly.
And the E2 often signalsenhanced efficiency.
They showed something like a 42%reduction in energy use and a
massive 52% reduction in theamount of adhesive needed for
the same job compared to aprevious solution.
SPEAKER_01 (10:21):
52% less adhesive.
Wow.
SPEAKER_00 (10:24):
Yeah.
Those are tangible cost savingsand real increases in output for
customers.
It's not just theoretical.
SPEAKER_01 (10:30):
And the third piece must be sustainability, right?
You've touched on it a fewtimes.
SPEAKER_00 (10:34):
Crucially, yes.
A deep-seated commitment tosustainability.
The solvent-free nature is sortof the foundation, but they're
actively developing morebio-based formulations.
SPEAKER_01 (10:44):
Like for the hygiene products you mentioned.
SPEAKER_00 (10:45):
Right, like Technomelt DM Eco for hygiene,
which they say reduces thecarbon footprint by up to 50%.
Or another one, Technomelt Supra079 Eco Cool.
Combining bio-based content withlow-temp application, they
projected it could save a useraround 7500 kilograms of CO2 per
year.
SPEAKER_01 (11:02):
So real, measurable environmental benefits.
SPEAKER_00 (11:05):
Absolutely.
It's about helping theircustomers and themselves move
towards a more responsible wayof operating.
Yeah.
And they combine all this, theinnovation, the efficiency
focus, the sustainability drive,with a truly global reach and a
very customer-centric approach,tailoring solutions.
SPEAKER_01 (11:21):
Okay, so wrapping this up then, what does this all
mean for you, the listener?
We've really seen how these hotmelt adhesives, and particularly
Hunkle's TechnoMelt line, arejust so much more sophisticated
and impactful than they firstappear.
We started with that simple gluestick image, but we've uncovered
this world of rapid bonding,enabling incredible product And
SPEAKER_00 (11:42):
that significantly reduced environmental footprint
compared to older technologies,especially the solvent-based
ones.
It's a cleaner process.
SPEAKER_01 (11:48):
And we saw those technological leaps like the
reactive hot melts, the PUR onesthat become super durable,
almost like a thermoset plasticafter they bond.
SPEAKER_00 (11:55):
And the really innovative low temperature
adhesives, the cool range,saving energy, making workplaces
safer.
SPEAKER_01 (12:02):
And they serve just this huge array of industries
from, you know, the cereal boxyou might have opened this
morning or the tissue box onyour desk to the car you drive,
maybe even delicate medicaldevices or the phone in your
pocket.
SPEAKER_00 (12:15):
And Henkel's leadership role here, it isn't
just about being big.
It seems to be aboutconsistently pioneering new
possibilities, always pushingfor better efficiency for their
users and having this reallystrong, genuine commitment to
sustainable solutions.
SPEAKER_01 (12:29):
It really is about more than just GRU, isn't it?
enabling modern manufacturingmodern life in many ways.
SPEAKER_00 (12:36):
Well said, yeah.
SPEAKER_01 (12:37):
So here's a final thought for you.
The next time you open apackage, maybe grab a tissue, or
even just get into your car,take a second to consider the
hidden engineering marvel, thatinvisible bond, the adhesive
that helped make it allpossible.
And maybe ask yourself, whatother invisible technologies are
shaping our daily lives that werarely stop to appreciate?
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