Producing materials like corrugated cardboard is not always easy. For example, starch adhesives are commonly used but they must be mixed properly and ingredient selection is vital to success. This is why choosing the right starch additives for mixing adhesives is absolutely essential. Let’s take a closer look at the process to discover ways to improve it.
Why Starches?
Starches are proven to make an effective natural ingredient for glue. In fact, all you need to do is mix together flour and water to make good paper glue. The starch in the flour is what makes it an adhesive (when mixed with water). Simple water and flour glues are not suitable for commercial use because the glue does not form a permanent bond and if the material gets wet or damp, it is no longer is effective.
Starch type adhesives are commonly used in industries like corrugated cardboard manufacturing for the following reasons:
* Cost effective – when you compare starches to other types of adhesives, the cost is much lower and this provides greater production efficiency and higher profits.
* Readily available – starch additives come from a renewable source of materials, so there is no danger of running out or suddenly developing a shortage, which could make prices skyrocket in a short amount of time.
* Not affected by fats or oils
* Bonds well with cellulose and many porous materials
* Resistant to heat
* Makes a stable and easy to use adhesive
* Eco friendly – you can create an effective starch adhesive with natural ingredients and there are no strong chemicals associated with some adhesives. This is good for waste water systems and because no strong emissions are released into the environment, it is a “green” choice”.
The Need for Better Starch Mixing Systems
Many of today’s starch kitchens do a relatively good job of mixing, but they are not perfect. In fact, there are several problems associated with standard methods:
* Some adhesive mixtures do not bond well with recycled paper.
* Viscosity can become unstable and this may create serious problems with applications.
* Some starch additives can be very expensive and this greatly adds to the cost of production.
* Adhesive has a relatively short shelf life once mixed.
A Better Solution
Modern hybrid mixing systems solve many of the problems associated with standard methods. They are a blend of standard technology mixed with “no carrier” methods from Europe. This helps the adhesive mixer maintain constant viscosity and provides reliable consistency from batch to batch. Also, viscosity readings are highly accurate and there is no need for costly starch additives. This creates a more stable product at a lower cost.
