Toyochem has developed a new series of biodegradable pressure-sensitive adhesives, Cyabine, suitable for materials for the packaging, construction, agriculture and other industries where the use of biodegradable or recoverable materials are preferred.
A member of the Toyo Ink Group of Japan, Toyochem oversees the group’s polymers and coatings-related business. Utilising the group’s polymer design technologies that have been cultivated for over a century, Toyochem manufactures polymers, adhesive tapes, marking films and coatings for a wide array of industrial applications.
In recent years, there has been growing interest in reducing plastic waste, in particular with regard to the development of biodegradable materials that reduce the use of petroleum and its negative impact on the environment. In many countries, industrial waste generated from fields such as civil engineering, forestry and agriculture need to be recovered or decomposed naturally without imposing a burden on the environment. While the base paper or film substrates used in recovered products are biodegradable, the additives such as adhesives traditionally used to coat or treat them are not, resulting in disposal issues.
In response to this issue, Toyochem researchers in Japan have developed a high performance biodegradable PSA based on a biodegradable polymer design. In addition, by using plant-derived raw materials, the Cyabine adhesives achieve a biomass content on a dry weight basis of up to 45%. This means the product can reduce carbon dioxide emissions throughout the lifecycle of the newly developed product, without compromising on adhesive performance.
After use, the adhesive waste can be digested by soil microorganisms and converted over time into substances, such as carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen and methane gas. Moreover, the new PSA system is said to demonstrate biodegradation rates of 60% or higher after 60 days. When combined with other biodegradable materials used in a wide range of products, ‘it helps to improve the overall biodegradability of these products’, according to Toyochem.
The biodegradability of Cyabine pressure-sensitive adhesives have been confirmed under controlled composting conditions as prescribed by the Japanese Standards Association’s JIS K 6953-1, the equivalent of the international standard ISO 14855-1. Cyabine is currently available in Japan with a worldwide release to follow in the next few years.
