How Henkel's Hot Melt Adhesives Enable Righ-Sized Packaging and Reduced Waste
Shipping packages that are oversized and contain bulky filling materials are being replaced in shipping & e-commerce operations by "right-sized" packaging. As consumers and corporations move towards more sustainable practices, oversized packages with lots of filling material no longer meet stricter and stricter sustainable expectations and goals.
Right-sized packaging, on the other hand, offers smaller cartons and envelopes (less consumption and waste) as well as automated packaging for more efficiencies. Hot melt adhesives are becoming the adhesion method of choice, replacing adhesive tapes, since the packaging is folded precisely around the product then glue with hot melt adhesive to size.
Henkel reports that it is making the proven packaging automation even more sustainable for e-commerce. Their Technomelt E-COM G5 Eco Cool has been developed specifically for e-commerce operations and contains a high proportion of bio-based materials.
At the same time, the transport volume is reduced, allowing more parcels to fit into a single transport unit. In addition to the cost savings from reduced material consumption, the CO2 emissions per parcel are also reduced - a sustainable packaging solution that, thanks to automation, offers flexibility in the face of fluctuating staffing levels.
Henkel reports that in addition a lower application temperature means less energy is required in the packaging process. Henkel's product highlight at LogiMAT 2025 thus enables companies to optimize the sustainability of their packaging at two points in the value chain and reduce their carbon footprint. The adhesive is compatible with the paper recycling process and is certified as such by cyclos-HTP.
The fact that a solution can only be as successful as the cooperation network behind it is a clear advantage in this case. Henkel is networked with all machine, substrate and tank equipment manufacturers worldwide. For Henkel adhesives, this means that they are put through their paces. In this way, the company ensures that it has the right hot melt for every type of paper and board in its extensive product portfolio.
“Our customers don't just buy an adhesive, they buy a complete package,” says Eike Dominiak, business development manager e-commerce packaging. “Thanks to our extensive cooperations, companies don't have to put up with long qualification phases and possible incompatibilities. Our adhesives are optimized for all packaging substrates and can be easily applied with all standard dispensing equipment.”
Source: Henkel