What is an adhesive?

Adhesives hold things together and are used in many everyday applications. For Kimberly-Clark personal care products they hold layers of material together, help pads/liners stay in place during use, and attach tissues and towels to the roll.

What are adhesives made of?

In general, an adhesive is composed of a polymer and several additives. These additives may include resins, waxes, antioxidants, or softeners.

Polymers. Polymers are the backbone of any adhesive. They provide strength and durability to the adhesives and products. The primary polymers used in adhesives for personal care products are polyolefins and styrene block copolymers.

Tackifier resins. Tack is the measure of the stickiness of an adhesive, essentially how long the adhesive stays stuck after it is applied. The primary types of tackifier resin used in adhesives for personal care products are hydrogenated rosin and hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins.

Softeners. Softeners (sometimes referred to as plasticizers) help provide flexibility and softness to the adhesive for manufacturing. The main type of softener used in personal care adhesives is hydrocarbon oil (mineral oil). We do not use phthalates or bisphenols in our adhesives.

Waxes. Waxes in adhesives help control the amount of time it takes to make a bond. The main types of waxes used in adhesives for personal care products are natural waxes, microcrystalline waxes, and synthetic waxes.

Antioxidants. Antioxidants are added in small amounts and do not influence the physical function of the adhesive. Antioxidants are used primarily to protect the adhesive during manufacturing and from degradation over the period of its shelf life. Two common types of antioxidants are hindered phenolics and aromatic amines.