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2020 annual and sustainable performance report

Innovative for designing the future

Advanced packaging

Food packaging, labeling, stickers, cardboard boxes... In the vast industrial packaging market, there is a huge need for adhesive and fixing solutions, often with very specific requirements, and evolving rapidly in line with new environmental standards. The sustainability and recyclability of packaging materials, use of bio-sourced and renewable adhesives, and compostable packaging are now central to what is expected by manufacturers and their customers. Bostik enjoys a strong position in these specialty markets, generating 4-5% of worldwide sales, and its innovation-led growth strategy will put it at the heart of this environmental shift in the packaging sector.

Non-woven fabrics/hygiene

Diapers and other sanitary protection products are making steady progress in weight reduction, comfort and sustainability, with a growing use of natural materials, among other factors. Bostik is a leading partner for this vast, constantly expanding market, which is expected to grow by 20% over the next five years. Its hot melt adhesive solutions offer the key assembly functions that determine finished product solidity, consumer comfort and safety, and production machinery performance. Working with manufacturers all over the world, Bostik is continually improving its offering by optimizing adhesive quantities, helping its clients optimize the amount of substrate used and adapting its formulations to the surface chemistry of new bio-based materials (bamboo and cotton fibers, plastics made from cornstarch etc.).

Industrial adhesives: Investing in clean technologies in growth sectors

“Our Durable goods business, which accounts for over 40% of Bostik’s sales, covers thousands of applications in transportation, building and assembly of manufactured products, from smartphones to car bumpers. We have a dynamic growth strategy supported by investment in 17 key technologies and vertical integration with other activities within Arkema, such as leveraging industrial synergies for certain materials, and integrating our sales and marketing approach to certain markets. This approach allows us to record solid growth in the most buoyant areas, such as vehicle batteries, in which we use seven or eight different technologies, building sealing and waterproofing (doors, roofs, double glazing, etc.) and even consumer electronics.”

Guillaume Desurmont, Senior Vice President, Global Durable Goods, Bostik

Bostik’s role in a new world order for packaging

“Growing environmental concerns are reshuffling the cards in the market for packaging adhesives. The shift towards sustainable solutions—bio-based, compostable, recyclable etc.—is a fantastic development opportunity for our Advanced Packaging business, which historically controls 4-5% of the market. We offer serious advantages in addressing this challenge thanks to our very broad range of technologies and our recognized sustainable development innovation policy. We were the first to offer a polyurethane lamination adhesive that was certified compatible with the recycling of polyethylene (one of the most widely used plastic materials for food packaging); our Kizen® technology reduces the quantity of materials used for carton sealing by up to 20%; and we are developing a specific range of hot melt adhesives for compostable packaging. These developments are reflected by significant improvement in our financial performance and robust volume growth in these highly promising segments.”

Richard Lelièvre, Senior Vice President Advanced Packaging, Bostik