Archroma introduces ultra-high-solids adhesive platform

Archroma Packaging Technologies is preparing to introduce Cartacol APS75 Ultra, a new pressure-sensitive adhesive developed to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions during label converting while maintaining the performance expected from conventional permanent adhesives.

The technology will make its North American debut at LOUPE Americas 2026 in Chicago, where converters will be able to evaluate the solution ahead of its commercial launch.

Higher solids reduce the need for drying

Cartacol APS75 Ultra is based on an ultra-high-solids water-based formulation. Increasing the proportion of solids means less water needs to be removed from the adhesive after coating, reducing the amount of energy required during the drying stage.

Drying represents an important energy demand in pressure-sensitive adhesive production, particularly on high-speed coating lines. Reducing evaporation requirements can therefore provide both operational savings and a lower carbon footprint.

Formulation remains compatible with industrial coating

One of the technical challenges associated with increasing adhesive solids is maintaining suitable viscosity and processability. Archroma says it reformulated the base polymer so the higher-solids system remains compatible with industrial machine coating.

This is intended to allow converters to improve production efficiency without sacrificing coating consistency or making major changes to existing equipment.

Technology targets permanent paper labels

The initial Cartacol APS75 Ultra formulation has been developed for general permanent paper label applications. Archroma says its performance has been designed to match standard pressure-sensitive adhesives currently used in the market.

Permanent label applications require reliable adhesion across production, distribution and product use, making bonding performance critical even when converters are seeking lower-energy processing technologies.

Water-based chemistry supports lower-impact production

The new platform also builds on Archroma’s wider portfolio of water-based adhesives, which the company positions as lower-VOC alternatives to solvent-based chemistries.

For converters, the combination of water-based technology and reduced drying requirements can create an opportunity to address environmental performance at both material and manufacturing levels.

Energy efficiency becomes a converting priority

Packaging sustainability strategies increasingly extend beyond the composition of the finished pack. Energy consumed during printing, coating, laminating and drying is also becoming part of lifecycle assessments and corporate emissions targets.

Technologies that reduce process energy without lowering line speed or adhesive performance can therefore help converters improve both manufacturing economics and environmental performance.

Archroma prepares technology for commercial trials

The patent application for Cartacol APS75 Ultra is currently pending, and Archroma is inviting converters to trial the technology as it moves towards commercial availability.

The company will present the adhesive alongside its broader portfolio of barriers, binders, colorants and other packaging chemistries at LOUPE Americas, reflecting increasing demand for materials that combine technical performance with lower processing impact.

Adhesives gain attention in packaging decarbonisation

Adhesives represent a relatively small part of many packaging structures but can have a significant influence on manufacturing efficiency, recyclability and production energy requirements.

By increasing solids content while maintaining industrial processability, Archroma is targeting one of these less visible sources of packaging impact. The technology demonstrates how chemical formulation can contribute to decarbonisation not only through the finished material but also through the efficiency of the converting process itself.