Adhesive Technologies
The many different, technically demanding requirements that today’s adhesives have to meet call for a wide range of technologies and raw materials. Find the right adhesive raw material to match your technology.
An increasing awareness of health and environmental issues has intensified the demand for waterbased and/or solvent-free adhesive systems. As a partner of the adhesive industry BASF offers a large and innovative palette of adhesive raw materials and additives. Our products facilitate the manufacturing of top-performance, environmentally friendly adhesives for the most varied applications. Combining comprehensive technical support with high levels of competence concerning toxicology and environmental issues, BASF is one of the preferred suppliers of the adhesive industry.
BASF is the leading supplier of high-quality, aging-resistant polyacrylates. Years of experience in the polymerization of acrylates allow the targeted implementation of structure-efficacy principles that ensures an adjustment of adhesive qualities across a wide gamut of applications. Apart from physically setting adhesives we also offer acrylates that harden through chemical and/or photochemical reaction.
Polyacrylic dispersions
Acrylic dispersions are sold under the well-known Acronal® brand name. Depending on use and application technology requirements, a broad range of suitable acrylates for water-based, environmentally friendly adhesive systems is available of which some combine high concentrations with low viscosity.
Product name |
Characteristics |
| Acronal 3591 | self-crosslinking copolymer with good adhesion to olefinic substrates, APEO-free, low VOC content |
| Acronal 3612 | acrylic ester copolymer with excellent damping performance at low temperature |
| Acronal 3626 | acrylic ester copolymer with excellent damping performance at higher temperature |
| Acronal 3640 | self-crosslinking copolymer with good adhesion to olefinic substrates, APEO-free, low VOC |
| Acronal 4 D | Aqueous dispersion of polybutylacrylate |
| Acronal 50 D | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylic ester copolymer which also contains acrylonitrile |
| Acronal 80 D | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylic ester copolymer which also contains acrylonitrile |
| Acronal 500 D | copolymer with good adhesion to olefinic substrates, APEO-free |
| Acronal A 107 | Aqueous dispersion of polybutyl acrylate |
| Acronal A 145 | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups |
| Acronal A 213 S | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer that crosslinks at room temperature |
| Acronal A 225 | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups |
| Acronal A 240 | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups |
| Acronal A 245 | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups |
| Acronal A 310 S | self-crosslinking copolymer with good adhesion to olefinic substrates |
| Acronal A 311 S | self-crosslinking copolymer with good adhesion to olefinic substrates |
| Acronal DS 3502 | high viscous dispersion of acrylic ester copolymer with broad adhesion spectrum and with excellent damping performance at room temperature |
| Acronal 3618 | high viscous, pressure sensitive acrylic ester copolymer dispersion |
| Acronal LA 449 S | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer with carboxylic groups that can be cross-linked by heating |
| Acronal N 285 | Aqueous dispersion of a carboxylgroup- containing acrylate copolymer made with acrylonitrile |
| Acronal N 286 | Aqueous dispersion of a carboxyl-group-containing acrylate copolymer made with acrylonitrile |
| Acronal S 201 | copolymer with good adhesion to olefinic substrates, APEO-free |
| Acronal S 400 | soft acrylic ester copolymer |
| Acronal S 504 | aqueous dispersion of an acrylate styrene copolymer |
| Acronal V 115 | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups |
| Acronal V 212 | pressure-sensitive acrylic ester copolymer dispersion |
| Acronal V 215 | Aqueous dispersion of an acrylate copolymer containing carboxyl groups |
Polyacrylate resins
The products sold under the brand name of acResin® include amorphous polyacrylate resins, which can be applied in liquid form at high temperatures and subsequently be cured upon exposure to ultraviolet light. At low temperatures, high levels of thermal stability can be achieved without a loss of adhesiveness. Hence, these acrylate resins combine the freedom from solvents associated with traditional hot melts with the high levels of thermal stability that are the hallmark of dispersion adhesives and the general aging-resistance of polyacrylates.
Product name |
Characteristics |
acResin® A 204 UV |
UV-reactive, solvent-free acrylic copolymer |
acResin® A 250 UV |
UV-reactive, solvent-free acrylic copolymer |
acResin® A 260 UV |
UV-reactive, solvent-free acrylic copolymer |
acResin® UV 3532 |
UV-reactive, solvent-free acrylic copolymer |
Polyurethane dispersions (PUD)
The trend towards water-based systems is also noticeable in the field of polyurethane adhesives. Apart from the ecological aspects, polyurethane dispersions have the advantage that, unlike non-aqueous PU systems, they can be applied in a way that combines high solids content with low viscosity irrespective of the molar mass. The wide adhesion range and the excellent stability values make the polyurethane dispersions of BASF (Luphen®, Epotal®, Emuldur®) the ideal raw material for a variety of demanding adhesive and primer applications. The palette of available dispersions includes amorphous as well as crystallizing polyurethanes that feature many different qualities ranging from compostable, hydrolysis-resistant to sticky and non-sticky.
Product name |
Characteristics |
Emuldur® 381 A |
elastomeric polyurethane forming very tough, tack-free films, acting as barrier for plasticizer |
| Epotal® FLX 3621 | amorphous polyurethane with excellent adhesion to a broad range of films, cross-linkable to improve temperature and chemical resistance |
Epotal® P 100 ECO |
crystallizing polyurethane with excellent adhesion to natural films, biodegradable films, aluminium |
| Epotal® P 350 | elastomeric polyurethane with good adhesion to polyolefinic substrates forming tacky films |
| Luphen® 700 | amorphous elastomer forming tack-free polyurethane films |
| Luphen® 3615 | crystallizing polyurethane with excellent adhesion to ABS, PVC, PET and natural fiber-based substrates |
| Luphen® 3685 | crystallizing polyurethane with good adhesion to natural fiber-based substrates and ABS, PVC, PET |
| Luphen® D 207 E | crystallizing polyurethane with good adhesion to natural fiber-based substrates and ABS, PVC, PET |
| Luphen® D 259 U | auto-adhesive, tacky, amorphous polyurethane, resistant to hydrolysis and highly cross-linkable |
| Luphen® D DS 3548 | epoxy modified, slowly crystallizing PU with excellent adhesion to different substrates |
Polyvinyl ether (PVE)
Under the brand name Lutonal® BASF sells polymer adhesive raw materials that are based on polyvinyl ethers. These intensify the adhesion and attraction properties of formulations and/or act as a formulation additive for softer, more flexible adhesive films. In addition, aqueous polymer solutions sold under the brand name Lutonal® can be used to produce thermo-sensitive adhesive formulations that become water-insoluble at temperatures above 30 °C.
| Product name | Characteristics |
| Lutonal® I 60 ca.80% in mineral spirit | vinylether with medium molar mass, pressure sensitive properties |
| Lutonal® M 40 ca.50% in water | thermosensible (LCST = 28°C), enhances adhesion on metal, printed and painted surfaces |
| Lutonal® M 40, 100% | water soluble resin enhancing adhesion on metal, printed and painted surfaces |
Polyvinylpyrrolidones (PVP)
For several decades BASF has been producing and marketing special, water-soluble polymers that are based on polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Due to their outstanding properties, PVP and the corresponding copolymers are used for many different technical applications. The products from the Luvitec® range boast excellent adhesion properties (on paper, glass, metal, skin, textiles, plastic), high initial adhesion, the option of subsequent curing delayed curing, physiological compatibility and unique film creation and melting characteristics. The typical applications are hot-melt adhesives, glue sticks and hydrogel adhesives.
| Product Name | Solid Content (%) |
K-Value |
NPV (%) |
LUVITEC® K 30 |
≥ 95% |
27 - 33 |
100 |
| LUVITEC® K 30 Solution 30% |
29 - 31 |
27 - 33 |
100 |
LUVITEC® K 90 |
≥ 95% |
88 - 92 |
100 |
LUVITEC® K 90 HM |
≥ 95% |
92 - 96 |
100 |
LUVITEC® K 90 CQ |
9,5 - 10,5 |
90 - 98 |
100 |
LUVITEC® K 90 |
19 - 21 |
90 - 98 |
100 |
| Technical Data Sheet | |||
LUVITEC® VA 64 P |
≥ 95% |
28 - 32 |
60 |
LUVITEC® VA 6535 P |
≥ 95% |
37 - 45 |
65 |
| Technical Data Sheet | |
Polyisobutenes (PIB)
BASF supplies a wide range of polyisobutenes (PIB) with low-, medium- and high molecular weight. The good adhesion properties of the medium molecular weight Oppanol® and the well-balanced elasticity, especially of the high molecular weight grades, make Oppanol® excellent applicable for pressure-sensitive adhesives and hot-melt adhesives. The applications for Oppanol® range from adhesives, sealants through to chewing gum base.
Polyisobutene-based adhesive systems are very effective, even on lightly soiled surfaces, because of their high oil absorption capacity and their good ability to bind fillers.
Relevant properties of Oppanol® for adhesives
- forms a barrier to moisture
- high adhesion and tack
- high water resistance
- good resistance to aqueous solutions of chemicals
- low electrical conductivity
- cold flow, self-healing
- does not sensitize and irritate the skin
- food contact approved
Hydrophilized Crosslinking Agent
In order to improve cohesion, adhesion and thermal stability after application, aqueous adhesives can be combined with water-dispersible crosslinking agents. The Basonat® range sold by BASF includes such systems, which facilitate the development of both aqueous two-component adhesives and the formulation of waterbased systems with long pot lives. The products sold under the Basonat® brand name are polymer crosslinking agents that can easily be dispersed in aqueous acrylate and/or polyurethane dispersions or aqueous polymer solutions.
| Product name | Characteristics |
| Basonat® DS 3582 | solvent-free, water-dispersable carbodiimide |
| Basonat® F 200 WD | solvent-free isocyanate |
| Basonat® HW 180 PC | 80% solution of polyisocyanates in propylene carbonate, easy to disperse in water |
| Basonat® LR 9056 | solvent-free aliphatic polyisocyanate, easy to disperse in water |
