In this article, we’ll:
- Learn the true history of protein glue
- Get to know how LD Davis paved the way for protein glue that isn’t made with animal products
- Discover the other types of liquid-glue and how they are made.
In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a common practice for ranchers and farmers to send their animals, primarily horses, to factories that manufactured glue. This type of glue, known as animal or hide glue, has been in production for centuries and widely used across the globe due to its strong bonding properties. However, this practice has gone by the wayside, and in fact, LD Davis has never brought any animals into our North Carolina manufacturing plan for glue production.
If glue is no longer made from horses, then what exactly goes into its composition? Glue, defined simply, is a substance capable of holding together materials by surface attachment. Glue has a long history of production and use, and while some of the early glues that held together our world were made with animal products, the modern world of adhesive runs on complex, natural, and synthetic materials.
The Origin Story: Animal Glues
The protein glue we know today was invented a long time ago, and though the ingredients may have changed over time, the process of making protein glue is relatively simple. Protein glue is made by breaking down materials in a process called ‘rendering.’ This process renders down the plant or animal by-products into usable collagen that is then boiled into gelatin, the key ingredient in protein glue.
Protein glue is a versatile adhesive that has had many applications throughout history from bookbinding to the manufacturing of musical instruments. It is a reversible adhesive that can be weakened by adding heat and water. However, this versatility comes at a cost: protein glues made from animal products tend to set more slowly and have no water resistance, causing issues with consistency.
Modern Adhesives: Where Nature Meets Chemistry
The use of animal protein glue started to decline as advancements in technology made it possible for companies like L.D. Davis to utilize recycled pharmaceutical gelatin. This glue, referred to as gelatin glue, is derived from collagen protein. This is the same gelatin that you see in many of the items we all use today like vitamins, skin care products, Jell-o, and other confections. We partner with the world’s largest pharmaceutical gelatin manufacturers and are able to take their gelatin “waste” and make it into the eco-friendly gelatin glue we manufacture today.
But gelatin glue is not the only type of glue that exists in today’s modern world of manufacturing. Beyond the protein-based adhesive we made out of recycled pharmaceutical and nutritional gelatin, we have several other types of adhesives that reflect our commitment to eco-friendly practices.
Liquid Glues
These water-based adhesives offer eco-friendly and easy-to-use solutions for many manufacturing applications.
- Resin Glue: Known for being durable and adaptable, it is commonly used in industrial applications like folding cartons or laminating. It is made from vinyl acetate, ethylene vinyl acetate, or acrylic resin emulsion polymers that are emulsified with water to create strong, uniform adhesives. Resin glues create a strong bond and are popular amongst manufacturers and artisans alike.
- Dextrin Glue: Commonly called “brown glue,” dextrin glue is used in bottle labeling and envelopes. It is made by hydrolyzing starch to produce dextrin. The dextrin is then heated with water to around 200°F until it forms the glue solution. This glue is perfect for labeling and packaging because of its clean machining and strong paper adhesion.
- Starch Glue: Starch glue is made from renewable resources like tubers and seeds. Those materials are cooked in water up to 190°F until the mixture results in a past that can be adjusted for viscosity and adhesion. This low cost, high-adhesion glue is a great choice for high-volume packaging applications like corrugated boxes or paper bags.
Creating Bonds that Last
While the old adage may have been “take the horse to the glue factory,” thankfully, breakthroughs in glue manufacturing and technological advancements have made it possible for us to develop reliable, eco-friendly adhesives that do not involve processing animal products.
For over 100 years, LD Davis has been a part of paving the way for the use of pharmaceutical gelatin, resin, starch, and renewable plant materials, and is proud to be able to continue to manufacture eco-friendly glue solutions. If you’d like to know more about how our sustainable adhesive options can make a difference in your next adhesive project, browse our blog or contact us today! Our experts are always ready to help.
