Sustainable & Recyclable Packaging Adhesives

Sustainable packaging is good for both the environment and your bottom line. Using sustainable best practices and materials to package your products reduces waste and conserves important resources while boosting your reputation among environmentally conscious consumers. Using recyclable packaging is an easy first step in achieving more sustainable packaging, and that requires a fully recyclable, non-toxic glue. Because they make up a small percentage of the total packaging, glues were often an afterthought in sustainability management efforts. Today, more manufacturers recognize the importance of glue in the final determination of a package’s ability to be recycled; if the glue can’t be recycled, neither can the package. LD Davis supplies two types of glues perfect for modern sustainable packaging: synthetic polymer-based liquid glue and gelatin-based animal glue.

Liquid Glue

Liquid glues, sometimes referred to as white glues, are water-based formulas that are useful in a wide variety of applications. This type of glue is especially popular because it is eco-friendly, non-toxic and safe to handle. Liquid glues do not need to be heated before application and are very easy to clean up with water. We supply three types of liquid glue formulas—resin glues, dextrin glues and starch glues—which are used in a variety of sustainable packaging applications, including case and carton sealing, laminating, rigid box manufacturing and food and beverage packaging.

Gelatin-Based Animal Glue

Gelatin-based animal glues successfully laminate almost any kind of wrap material to chipboard to make rigid boxes and are fully recyclable and eco-friendly. They form an excellent bond and make the materials they bond together recyclable once no longer in use. Gelatin-based animal glues are similar to liquid resins in that they are water-based, but animal glues are a gelled solid at ambient temperature and must be heated to liquefy for use. Our animal glues are used in lamination and to produce wrapped boards, folded boards, liners and slipcases.

“For almost a half century, I have spent my entire career in the Industrial Adhesive Industry. From sales and management in a large company, to owning a Manufacturers’ Representative business for the last 25 years, I have worked with a multitude of adhesive manufacturers. During that time, I’ve had both disappointing business relationships with some, to long-term, mutually rewarding ventures with others. One of the most satisfying of all has been our relationship with LD Davis Industries. Our work together began with Tripp’s father over 20 years ago. When Tripp took over the company reigns, the relationship blossomed into the well-oiled and efficient machine it is today. This rock solid, extremely successful true business “partnership” is based on mutual respect, teamwork, and a huge dose of integrity. Tripp has proven himself to be both trustworthy and dependable on countless occasions. Now, as I transition into retirement, I am confident the stable foundation of this relationship is so solid that it will endure long into the future. Thanks Tripp, for your personal integrity and high standards of business excellence. We’ve had a fabulous ride together!”

— Tony, Adhesive Brokers

“We have been using Davis glue for our book binding for almost 20 years. We currently run about 20 cases per minute with their protein glue on our Kolbus DA36. Not only is their glue quality and performance excellent, but their technical assistance and customer service have been very helpful over the years.”

— Timothy, United Book Press

“The LD Davis team did a presentation on glue and how to troubleshoot that was terrific and well received. Several of the mechanics came to talk to me later in the day and expressed their appreciation for your visit.”

— McLean Packaging