Holmen releases technical guidance on carton board gluing processes
Packaging material producer Holmen has issued a technical guide detailing best practices for adhesive selection and machine settings in carton board conversion.
Gluing is the final step in the conversion of paperboard into functional packaging, and precision during this stage is critical to avoiding product failure and waste. Holmen has released comprehensive guidance addressing the integration of machine settings, glue types, and substrate requirements.
The technical overview categorizes common industrial adhesives into water-soluble options, dispersion glues, and hot melt adhesives. The selection is dictated by the specific board surface and production speed. While water-based solutions require adequate drying time for bond formation, hot melt adhesives utilize rapid cooling to achieve high-speed throughput, making them ideal for high-pressure industrial environments.
Holmen emphasizes that process control is paramount, with particular attention required for applicator precision. Whether using nozzle or wheel systems, the application must be calibrated to ensure sufficient tack without excess material that could compromise the package integrity. Additionally, for food-grade packaging, the company stresses the importance of using non-toxic and odorless adhesives that do not migrate or affect the contents.
The guidance highlights that the choice of adhesive must be validated against the final product's environmental conditions, such as susceptibility to extreme temperatures, to ensure long-term structural reliability.