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Humans resist change. When confronted, we frequently answer, "Change is good, but you go first." Something better, however, often happens when we embrace the new.
Laminating Higher Performance Structures
The Generation 2 RobondTM L dry bond laminating adhesives represent something better - much better. These products offer performance, productivity improvements, supply chain flexibility, and environmentally friendly benefits. Many converters already employ Robond L for general performance packaging applications; they're adopting it now for more demanding applications like medium performance and higher performance on a variety of substrates including aluminum foil.
"Robond L is no longer reserved just for general performance applications like film to film and film to metallized film," says Theo Verweerden, global marketing manager, Packaging and Converting. This new generation offers an enhanced application range including, for example, more challenging Asian CPP films and laminate constructions with alufoil as well as enduring pasteurization and more aggressive filling goods.
Better Performance, Increased Productivity
The new generation extends prominent performance advantages. "The Generation 2 water-based adhesives resist aggressive products, heat, and humidity more effectively," explains Verweerden, who says superior bond strengths help tailor them for higher performance applications. Qualities such as shine and a softness not attainable with traditional adhesive technologies attract end-users.
Robond L adhesives are not dispersions - which had serious drawbacks such as foaming and short pot life - but are true emulsions that provide appealing productivity plusses. With the appropriate cylinder, they run smoothly on existing solvent-based machinery. Easy to handle, store, and run, they offer a long pot life capable of covering entire shifts.
"These products eliminate the need to change the adhesive used on a machine when moving from general performance to medium performance laminations, which is a big timesaver," says Mary Elizabeth Staab, European marketing manager, Packaging and Converting. As Robond L is water-based, converters also gain extra solvent recovery or solvent incineration capacity, a freed capacity which they can use to increase their printing activities.
Shorter Cycle Times Complement Environmental Protection
Cost savings accrue through several channels. Many converters increase line speeds to 300 meters per minute and slit much sooner than with other technologies. Print-to-ship within a day or so is common, which drastically reduces storage needs and facilitates faster delivery. "With Robond L adhesives, converters can de-bottleneck their operations and bring more flexibility to the supply chain," Staab notes. "Lead time to end-users can drop dramatically".
Compressed cycle time is significant. Robond L adhesives, which do not contain any aromatic isocyanates, provide an advantage over conventional solvent-based polyurethane structures that need longer curing periods. That's because primary aromatic amine migration is not an issue with Robond L adhesives, nor is solvent retention. This helps converters adhere to increasingly strict food contact regulations. The products safeguard people and planet in other ways: they don't produce CO2 or VOCs, they support worker health and safety, and they are less dependent on oil feedstocks.
European and Chinese Converters Lead Change
"Converters who adopt Robond L don't switch back once they've seen these products perform," Staab says frankly, adding that European customers who seek productivity savings and environmental stewardship are fast becoming fans, as are converters in China. With so many merits to these products, converters with suitable applications stand to gain substantially from switching.
Corporate change expert Brien Palmer, author of 2004's Making Change Work, Practical Tools for Overcoming Human Resistance to Change, addresses how such a widespread industry change might occur. For change to be successful, he writes, a champion must commit to the change, lead it, provide resources, and develop support. Rohm and Haas, a global firm with extensive emulsion experience and innovation, is that champion. The company is spreading the word and backing its statements with results.
Dedicated Staff, Exceptional Technical Support
"We have substantial data to support this product's excellence, the ability to fully test applications, and a crack team dedicated to technical support and customer training for this product alone," Verweerden concludes. A substantial core of customers has switched, and some end-users are even directing converters to use Robond L. An excited buzz is developing for very good reasons.
In this case, change is indeed good. Jump in. Rohm and Haas will show you that this water-based adhesive is good for the environment and good for business.
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