At LD Davis, we often say our company has two hearts. Our corporate headquarters is located outside Philadelphia, but for over 40 years, our manufacturing heartbeat has been based in Monroe, North Carolina.
LD Davis was proud to attend the 16th Annual Groundhog Day Economic Summit in Monroe, NC. This year was especially meaningful as we celebrated our 100th anniversary, including more than 40 years of manufacturing in Monroe. We were excited to participate with a table display and honored to be recognized during the event for our long-standing presence in the community.
Events like the Groundhog Day Economic Summit provide a valuable opportunity to connect with local leaders and businesses while supporting the continued growth of Union County. It was a proud moment for our Monroe-based production team and lab technicians—the experts who bring our philosophy to life, producing millions of pounds of eco-friendly adhesive every year.
At a Glance: Eco-Friendly Adhesive Trends in 2026
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100% Recyclable Packaging: Adhesives are shifting toward repulpable formulations. When a box is recycled, the glue dissolves completely, allowing the paper fibers to be reused
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Bio-based Ingredients: High-performance glues are increasingly made from renewable materials like recycled pharmaceutical gelatin, moving manufacturing away from petroleum-based chemicals and lowering the carbon footprint.
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Clean Label Safety: The industry standard is changing. A major push for non-toxic glues that are free of harsh solvents and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is making production environments safer for workers and the planet.
Local Recognition, Global Responsibility
Being recognized during the 16th Annual Groundhog Day Economic Summit is more than an honor, it’s a reminder of the deep connection between LD Davis and the Union County community.
Since moving our manufacturing operations to North Carolina in 1980, we’ve focused on one goal: proving that industrial-strength adhesives can, and should, be eco-friendly.
Our Monroe facility plays a key role in helping customers meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging solutions. As we look ahead through 2026, the facility is already scaling to meet three major eco-trends shaping the industry.
Key Sustainability Trends Driving Adhesive Innovation
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Circular Economy: North Carolina is a hub for high-end packaging. In 2026, brands are demanding that every component of a box be recyclable. Because our Monroe-made glues are bio-based, they dissolve easily during the recycling process, ensuring that paper stays paper and waste stays out of the landfill.
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The Move to Bio-Polymers: We are seeing a national shift away from petroleum-based synthetics. In our Monroe lab, we are currently refining formulas that use recycled pharmaceutical gelatin—taking a byproduct and turning it into a high-performance adhesive for everything from bibles to luxury rigid boxes.
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Zero-VOC Production Environments: Excellence also means safety. We are seeing a trend toward Clean Label manufacturing, where VOC-free and non-toxic adhesives are the standard. We are proud that our North Carolina facility produces adhesives that are safe for the planet and for the people operating the machines.
The Eco-Friendly Manufacturing Landscape in 2026
As we move through 2026, eco-friendly manufacturing has shifted from a corporate aspiration to an industry expectation. For adhesive manufacturers, this means developing products that support both performance and sustainability.
Three major developments are shaping the industry:
1. The Repulpability Mandate
As paper-based packaging continues to replace plastics, adhesives must support recycling. Bio-based glues break down easily during repulping, helping paper packaging remain part of the circular economy.
2. Clean Label Manufacturing
Transparency is no longer limited to food labels. Manufacturers increasingly demand adhesives that are free from harsh chemicals and VOCs, ensuring safer production environments.
3. Carbon-Neutral Formulations
With stricter carbon reporting requirements affecting the manufacturing sector, every ingredient matters. By using recycled pharmaceutical-grade gelatin and other renewable materials, LD Davis helps partners reduce their Scope 3 emissions while maintaining the high-tack performance they depend on.
Building the Future in Monroe, North Carolina
At LD Davis, we’ve been committed to eco-friendly adhesive manufacturing since 1926. Being recognized during the 16th Annual Groundhog Day Economic Summit in Monroe, NC, marks an important milestone, but our work is far from finished.
Our R&D team is already testing the next generation of biodegradable adhesives designed to meet the sustainability goals our partners are setting for 2027 and beyond.
We’re grateful to the Monroe and Union County community for recognizing our long-standing presence and contribution to the region. We don’t just make glue here—we create the bonds that help hold a greener future together.
Whether you’re a local North Carolina partner or a global brand, the excellence recognized at this year’s summit is baked into every batch of glue leaving our Monroe facility.
Looking for sustainable adhesive solutions? Our Monroe team is ready to help your brand move toward greener packaging. Get in touch with us today.
