Toyochem, the polymers and coatings arm of Japan’s Toyo Ink Group, has launched a new low-odor, low-VOC acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA), Oribain EXK 21-046, for use in enclosed spaces such as vehicle interiors. The adhesive bonds to metals, plastics, textiles and other substrates, but has reduced total volatile organic compound (T-VOCs) content, at levels less than one-tenth of that of conventional products.
Toyochem notes that the demand for low-impact interior materials is increasing, with VOC emission regulations tightening worldwide, due to growing public and industry awareness of the importance of indoor air quality.
“While our conventional PSAs clear the indoor VOC concentration guidelines set by the Japanese government, the newly developed EXK 21-046 system were able to dramatically reduce trace amounts of T-VOCs that remain in standard-type products and to improve air quality,” explained Nao Nakamura, general manager of Toyochem’s adhesives division.
“Toyochem research teams achieved this by developing a material that is not easily retained in the adhesive system and by applying our original polymerization and compounding technologies to better control viscoelasticity of the adhesive material. This results in a substantial reduction in T-VOC concentrations and lower odor intensity without compromising adhesive performance – a feat that had once been difficult to achieve. We believe the new EXK 21-046 PSA will help to realize indoor living spaces that are healthier for their occupants and for the earth,” he continued.
The EXK 21-046 PSA achieves T-VOC emissions rates of 18 µgC/g, substantially down from 310 µgC/g registered by Toyochem’s conventional PSAs. Moreover, the PSA system realizes a 3.5 grade (clearly noticeable, but still not objectionable) on a 6-grade odor intensity scale, a reduction of 1.5 points from the typical 5 grade (very objectionable) recorded by the company’s standard-type products.
