2021 Annual and Sustainable Performance Report

Adhesives for sustainable mobility

Water sports: AN ADHESIVE COMPATIBLE WITH COMPOSITE RECYCLING

Brunswick Corporation, a recreational boat manufacturer, has partnered with Arkema to produce boats whose structural parts and hull, made of Elium^® composite, will be fully recyclable at the end of their life and reintroduced into the manufacturing process. This project benefits from Bostik’s expertise thanks to their development of a methyl methacrylate structural adhesive used for assembly and compatible with the Elium^® resin recycling process. Not only does this adhesive make it easier to recycle composite parts, but 70% of the raw materials that make up the glue are also fully recyclable.

Alfa Romeo 4C: FLEXIBLE ADHESIVES FOR A SPORTY RIDE

The bodywork of this Italian manufacturer's signature model incorporates lightweight composite parts assembled with carbon and composite components using specific grades of Bostik's sealing modified polymers flexible adhesives.

Bumpers: REPAIR, DON’T REPLACE!

Reducing the carbon footprint of transportation also means extending the life of the equipment - especially the most heavily used equipment, such as the bumpers. Since 2019, Bostik has offered a two-component polyurethane adhesive dedicated to repairing cracked bumpers: it enables the functional strength of the part to be restored without any visual damage. This is state-of-the-art technology which is increasingly popular with specialist distributors in Europe.

Carpets and polyester coatings: ADHESIVES SUITABLE FOR RECYCLING

End-of-life vehicle floor mats and interior coatings are an important source for polyester recycling schemes. The adhesives used to assemble these components must still be compatible with the overhaul processes and not affect the properties of the recycled polyester. This is one of the advantages of the specialty hotmelt technology in which Bostik is the world leader.

Paint varnish: HIDE BUBBLES TO SAVE RESOURCES

The painted bodywork of cars is covered with a coat of varnish which protects the paint from damage. But sometimes small bubbles form when applying this top coat, creating a visual flaw: the manufacturer then has to return the entire part to the paint shop, which results in over-consumption of energy and resources… unless it can simply perform a touch-up. For this purpose, Bostik has developed a UV‑activated adhesive which, when applied, makes the defect invisible without affecting the protective properties of the varnish.

€3.5 bn

On the mobility market, structural adhesives represent global potential estimated at
€3.5 billion.