Henkel Previews Latest Liofol® Laminating Adhesives with the Debut of Advanced New Adhesive System


November 1, 2010, Bridgewater, NJ - Henkel announces that the newest generation of Liofol laminating adhesives have arrived. The products are expected to provide ease of use, speed, safety and enhanced productivity to converters for a better bottom line.

"Henkel chemists have been diligently developing the next generation of Liofol products," said Doug Apicella, Director, Flexible Packaging Marketing, Henkel North America. "These adhesives have arrived and answer the needs of the flexible packaging industry, which has evolved and has become more sophisticated through the years. Customers demand more sustainable products that also meet the performance needs of converters and consumer product companies alike."

The first new-generation product unveiled by Henkel is Liofol LA7773-21 with Liofol LA6016-21 curing agent, a two-component, solventless polyurethane adhesive for flexible packaging laminating. The adhesive cures to full physical and regulatory compliance levels within 48 hours and is very stable. It has an extremely long pot life, is very easy to use and work with, and provides a level of confidence that the industry has been looking for.

Apicella goes on to say: " While we strongly advise users to maintain suggested mix ratios, we are aware that it is quite common that operations are faced with off-ratio adhesive situations resulting from various influencing factors. This new generation is less sensitive to off-ratio conditions and maintains performance characteristics for various applications. This provides a major opportunity to reduce film scrap due to processing issues. Coupled with the fact that this is solventless, is 100% solid and has a low carbon footprint, makes it an ideal candidate for many applications where improved sustainability is desired."

According to Guido Kollbach, Technical Director, Flexible Packaging, Henkel North America, the adhesive is designed especially for standard- to medium-performance laminations. It can be used for food packaging laminations, as well as health care, pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications. "It is an easy-processing system that achieves physical and chemical cure quickly. This is of importance especially if the converter's production runs on a tight schedule that does not allow for any mistakes.," Kollbach said. "In fact, the laminate normally can be slit within 6 hours and pouched with zipper insertion in 24 hours if cured at room temperature. We have tested LA7773-21/LA6016-21 very critically together with our OEM partners from Nordmeccanica."

Rafael Acosta, North America Service Manager of Nordmeccanica said, "The new Henkel adhesive has excellent wettability, and its pot-life is impressive. While other adhesives require the operator to clean the machine after 30 minutes of down time, this adhesive performed well even after an hour. Plus, after running the adhesive for an extended period, the machine was very easy to clean."

"Henkel introduced the world's first generation of solventless laminating adhesives in 1975," said Guenther Hering, Vice President of Flexible Packaging, Henkel North America, "Since then, we have introduced successive generations with higher performance and superior processing conditions that provide users a competitive advantage. Converters took particular note of the third generation of adhesives and quickly made it the industry standard. Most recently, Henkel's Smart Cure technology gave users a competitive advantage by providing faster compliance to FDA food regulations, improved operational productivity and enhanced converted product performance. With the arrival of the newest generation of adhesives, Henkel once again brings innovation to an industry that is demanding increased value."

For additional information, call 1-800-4Liofol (1-800-454-6365), or go to www.henkeladhesivesna.com/liofolnextgen .

Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: Laundry & Home Care, Cosmetics/Toiletries and Adhesive Technologies. Founded in 1876, Henkel holds globally leading market positions both in the consumer and industrial businesses with well-known brands such as Persil, Schwarzkopf and Loctite. Henkel employs about 50,000 people and reported sales of $18.86 billion and adjusted operating profit of $1.84 billion in fiscal 2009. Henkel's preferred shares are listed in the German stock index DAX and the company ranks among the Fortune Global 500.

Henkel in North America
Henkel markets a wide range of well-known consumer and industrial brands in North America, including Dial® soaps, Purex® laundry detergents, Right Guard® antiperspirants, got2b® hair gels, and Loctite® adhesives. Visit www.henkelna.com for more information.

Contact

Susanna McShea
Editorial Consultant
Phone: 864-232-4240
McSheaCP4@aol.com

Henkel Corporation
10 Finderne Avenue
Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Phone: 1 866 443 6535
www.henkelna.com

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