New Generation of H.B. Fuller Swift tak Adhesives Enables Growing Demand for Paper Straws

Published: February 11, 2021

H.B. Fuller launched a new generation of high-performance adhesives with Swift® tak 5730 grade to create consumer-safe, liquid-resistant paper straws designed for fast-moving machines and improved sustainability.

H.B. Fuller is committed to developing more intelligent solutions for the benefit of people and the planet. With this in mind, a multidisciplinary team of its scientists have developed Swift tak 5730 water-based adhesive to further advance the paper straw industry. This technology reportedly offers paper straw producers superior performance in terms of consistent, easy machinability, cleanability, and overall productivity in response to the increased demand for safe and sustainable paper straws.

The new generation of plasticizer free, three-hour liquid resistant adhesive, which exceeds the liquid resistance market requirement for cold beverages, reportedly enables a high-quality durable straw and reduces operational downtime. In fact, its high wet tack allows manufacturers to meet aggressive productivity goals while using fast paper straw machines that can produce more than 500 straws per minute.

Swift tak 5730 gives a competitive advantage for core winding and slot nozzle application for straight or bendy cold drink straw production. Generally, this adhesive comprises less than 5 percent of the total dried weight of a paper straw—enabling paper straws to be recycled and/or industrially composted.

This technology reportedly allows paper straws to be compliant with German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Food-Contact Recommendation BfRXXXVI (Paper and Board for Food Contact Materials) for food contact to help ensure maximum consumer safety.

“We are very pleased to present Swift tak 5730, a more sustainable and safe formulation featuring strong performance while at the same time contributing to the decrease of single-use plastics,” said Michel Cordos, technical manager for paper straws, H.B. Fuller. “Our experts provide on-demand technical support to guide paper straw and equipment manufacturers as well as paper suppliers on how to efficiently produce durable liquid resistant straws at the lowest manufacturer total cost possible to meet this growing market.”

For more information, visit https://www.hbfuller.com.