Wednesday 14 July 2010

Green Chemistry and the arrival of a new Bio-based adhesive

Researchers at Oregon State University (OSU) have developed a wood-based hot-melt composite adhesive that doesn't use any organic solvents or toxic chemicals, and is based purely on vegetable oils.

According to CleanTechnica, adhesive tape accounts for a $26 billion global industry. Hence a more sustainable adhesive could help speed up the long, slow fade out of petrochemicals in the production of masking tape, packing tape, duct tape, sticky notes and other tapes in daily use by industry, office workers and residences.

The development of this new glue implies a new approach to finding more sustainable ways in the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. This sentiment is born out in the video below by Martyn Poliakoff outlining his thoughts on the development of Green or Sustainable Chemistry. You may be inclined to take notice when he refers to the amount of chemicals used to produce a batch of viagra, before and now!



Coincidently, a team of scientists in Wyoming, have been studying spider web glue from the golden orb weaving spider in the hope to develop a new super tech bio-based glue for a variety of specific scientific purposes.


Nevertheless you may be interested in reading more about the basic principles of green chemistry, here.
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