ITENE develops sustainable, bio-based adhesives for packaging and footwear with a lower environmental impact

ITENE is developing sustainable, bio-based adhesives for packaging and footwear without compromising performance – a breakthrough that marks a turning point in the materials industry by demonstrating that it is possible to reduce environmental impact without compromising industrial efficiency.

The SustainPU project, funded by European and regional grants, has enabled the design of new formulations that replace fossil-based raw materials with renewable alternatives, paving the way for solutions aligned with the circular economy.

The new adhesives are made from renewable raw materials, such as plant-based derivatives, rather than traditional fossil-based compounds. This reduces the carbon footprint associated with their production and facilitates their integration into circular economy processes.

In the field of packaging, these adhesives are particularly significant, as they help improve the recyclability of packaging and reduce the presence of pollutants.

ITENE develops sustainable bio-based adhesives for packaging and footwear without compromising performance, thereby strengthening the circular economy

The SustainPU project produces high-performance adhesives with a lower environmental footprint that are compatible with recycling in key sectors.

The development of polyurethane adhesives has historically been linked to the use of fossil raw materials, with a high carbon footprint and dependence on non-renewable resources. The work led by ITENE, in collaboration with INESCOP, breaks this pattern by introducing bio-based polyols and processes that guarantee the renewable origin of the materials.

The result is a new generation of adhesives that maintain the technical performance required for industrial use, whilst significantly reducing their environmental impact.

One of the sector’s greatest challenges was to demonstrate that sustainability does not imply a loss of efficiency. The developments of the SustainPU project confirm this with clear data, achieving adhesion levels comparable to those of conventional products.

In some cases, the adhesives have achieved laminating forces of up to 4 N without generating emissions of volatile organic compounds, representing a significant step forward in reducing pollutants.

Recyclability: the major challenge for packaging

Beyond performance, one of the key objectives has been to ensure that the new materials do not interfere with recycling processes. To this end, the guidelines of the Recyclass Recyclability Guide have been followed, prioritising formulations that allow packaging to remain circular.

Tests have shown that materials treated with these adhesives retain their mechanical properties and appearance after reprocessing, avoiding common problems such as…