Glue plays an important role in our everyday life and industries. It is widely used in areas such as automobile manufacturing, packaging, electronics, solar energy and construction. But existing glues are mostly made of petroleum, which is difficult to recycle. This makes the global problem of plastic waste more serious.
A team of researchers led by Eugene Chen, Professor of Chemistry Department of Colorado State University (CSU), has found a solution to this problem. They have chemically modified a natural polymer called P3HB to create an adhesive that is not only stronger than traditional glue, but is also safer for the environment.
How was this new glue made?
This research was done in collaboration with CSU professor Eugene Chen, Greg Beckham of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Professor Ting Xu of the University of California, Berkeley.
P3HB is a natural bio-based polymer, which is prepared by microorganisms under specific biological conditions. Normally it is not sticky, but the team modified it to create a glue that has the ability to stick better than traditional glue on aluminum, glass and other surfaces.
The research team tested it on various substrates and found that this glue can bear a weight of up to 20 pounds, whereas traditional glues can only last up to 15 pounds. See the image below:
A boon for the environment
The biggest feature of P3HB glue is that it is eco-friendly. Not only can it decompose naturally on land or in the sea, but it can also be reused and recycled.
Professor Eugene Chen says, “Just as people are aware of the ill-effects of plastic bottles, there is a need to understand the environmental impacts of glues as well. Our research provides sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.”
What does the industry say?
The global market for the glue industry is around $50 billion. Given the growing awareness towards the environment and the increasing demand for biodegradable products, P3HB based glue is capable of competing with traditional glues. Experts believe that this glue can be used widely in sectors such as e-commerce packaging, construction and electronics.
The demand for eco-friendly products has increased in recent times. P3HB glue not only meets this need but also excels in durability and performance. Additionally, its reuse and recycling capability makes it an important innovation for the industry.This new discovery has not only taken a step towards solving environmental problems but has also opened new doors of possibilities in the glue industry. It is the need of the hour that we adopt sustainable and eco-friendly solutions.
