How Is Animal Glue Made?

Animal glues (also known as hide glue, and protein glue) are made through prolonged boiling of pure bovine or porcine animal hides, connective tissues, and bones. 

Our lab team tests gram strength on all gelatin and animal glues we receive into our manufacturing facility.  We then use that number in correlation to the viscosity to determine what raw materials get used in our cake glues and dehydrated hide glue. 

Hide glue has played a major role in the glue industry since the time of Egyptian pharaohs. Check out the history of hide glue.  

Our protein glue products are based on gelatin protein which is derived from the hydrolysis of collagen. Collagen is a protein ingredient of animal hide, tissue and bone. We source our gelatin in the form of soft gel netting which is recycled from pharmaceutical companies.

Protein glue is composed of polyamides of alpha-amino acids. The solubility of protein glues in water is due in large part to the fact that five of the major constituent amino acids present in glue possess high water solubility. Protein glues are insoluble in oils, waxes, organic solvents and absolute alcohol. They may be emulsified in water-oil or oil-water systems.