Additive in new adhesive removes sticky residue on recyclable materials

The adhesive contains thionolactone which makes up 0.25 per cent of the composition. This additive allows the adhesive to be dissolved in the recycling process, which has not been possible until now. According to the University, labels can also be detached up to 10 times faster compared to a non-degradable adhesive. The team’s work is detailed in Angewandte Chemie. 

In a statement, Professor Joseph Keddie, leader of the Soft Matter Physics laboratory at Surrey University and fellow of the Surrey Institute for Sustainability, said:  "Adhesives are made from a  network of chain-like polymer molecules, irreversibly linked together, which leads to the residue build-up we see left behind when recycling materials such as glass and cardboard. 

"The problem of network residues is frustrating on an industrial scale and consequences of insoluble adhesives on the quality of recycled products are of even greater concern. Our solution offers the promise of less challenging and more cost-effective recycling.