Sustainable Adhesives for Manufacturing | Export Guide
To many businesses, sustainability was once treated as little more than a buzzword. In 2026, it has become a fundamental part of how manufacturers manage costs, protect employees, improve efficiency and prepare their businesses for the future.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions remains important, but sustainable manufacturing is about much more than carbon alone.
Manufacturers are also looking more closely at energy consumption, material waste, production efficiency, workplace air quality, responsible sourcing and the environmental impact of their supply chains.
For manufacturers supplying furniture, joinery, interior fit-out and construction projects, product emissions and indoor air quality are also becoming increasingly important considerations.
So, what can Ureka do to help you achieve your sustainability goals while maintaining adhesive performance, production output and product quality?
There are several areas where the correct industrial adhesive and application process can make a positive difference.
Sustainable Manufacturing Starts with the Bonding Process
Adhesives can represent a relatively small proportion of the total cost of a manufactured product. However, the adhesive application process can have a much greater impact on production time, energy consumption, material waste, product quality and operational efficiency.
Choosing a sustainable adhesive is not simply about selecting a product labelled as ‘green’.
The most sustainable adhesive solution is often one that:
- Uses the correct amount of adhesive
- Reduces production waste
- Minimises bond failures and rework
- Improves application efficiency
- Reduces unnecessary cleaning
- Supports faster production
- Creates a strong and durable finished product
- Helps improve workplace conditions
- Supports lower product emissions
- Contributes towards healthier indoor environments
Every manufacturing application is different. The adhesive must still provide the correct bond strength, cure speed, durability and performance for the materials being bonded.
This is why sustainable adhesive selection should always consider the complete manufacturing process.
Resource Preservation and Reducing Adhesive Waste
Sustainability is not only about where materials are sourced. It is also about making better use of the resources already entering your production facility.
Using too much adhesive increases material consumption, costs and waste. Using too little can cause poor bond performance, product failures and expensive rework.
An adhesive audit can identify opportunities to improve:
- Adhesive coat weight
- Application accuracy
- Adhesive coverage
- Mixing processes
- Storage and product handling
- Cleaning procedures
- Packaging efficiency
- Production consistency
Replacing an inefficient adhesive system with a higher-performing industrial adhesive may allow manufacturers to use less product while achieving a stronger and more consistent bond.
Reducing adhesive consumption can also reduce packaging waste, handling requirements and the number of deliveries entering your supply chain.
Small improvements can create significant long-term savings on high-volume manufacturing lines.
Improving Energy Efficiency with the Correct Adhesive
Energy efficiency remains a priority for manufacturers looking to reduce operating costs and improve environmental performance.
The adhesive used within a manufacturing process can affect:
- Cure temperatures
- Pressing temperatures
- Pressing times
- Production speed
- Equipment operating time
- Cleaning requirements
- Manufacturing downtime
In some applications, an alternative adhesive technology may reduce cure time or allow production equipment to operate more efficiently.
Faster-curing adhesives can increase throughput and reduce production bottlenecks. Hot melt adhesives can provide rapid bond formation in suitable applications, while some water-based, polyurethane and specialist industrial adhesive systems may offer opportunities to improve production efficiency.
However, simply changing adhesive is not always the answer.
The application method, substrate condition, adhesive quantity, production environment and operator technique must also be reviewed to achieve a measurable improvement.
Low-VOC, VOC-Free and Solvent-Free Adhesives
Manufacturers are increasingly exploring lower-emission adhesive technologies to support environmental targets and create cleaner working environments.
Depending on the bonding application, suitable options may include:
- Low-VOC adhesives
- VOC-free adhesives
- Solvent-free adhesives
- Water-based adhesives
- Hot melt adhesives
- Low-monomer polyurethane adhesives
- Formaldehyde-free adhesive systems
There is no single adhesive technology suitable for every manufacturing process.
A solvent-free adhesive may provide significant benefits in one application but may not offer the required open time, cure speed or bond performance in another.
The objective should be to identify the lowest-impact adhesive system that meets the technical and operational requirements of the application.
Performance should not be sacrificed in the name of sustainability. A poorly performing adhesive can increase waste, cause product failures and shorten the service life of the finished product.
BREEAM, LEED and the Importance of Low-Emission Adhesives
Sustainable building standards are influencing material selection throughout construction, furniture manufacturing, joinery and interior fit-out supply chains.
Two of the best-known environmental building assessment systems are BREEAM and LEED.
BREEAM, which stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, assesses the sustainability performance of buildings across areas including energy use, materials, health, wellbeing and environmental impact.
LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognised green building certification system developed in the United States. LEED includes requirements relating to indoor environmental quality and the use of low-emitting materials.
Both systems consider indoor air quality and the effect that materials can have on building occupants.
Adhesives used within furniture, panels, joinery products and interior environments may contribute to volatile organic compound emissions. Selecting independently tested low-emission adhesives can therefore help manufacturers provide products that support relevant BREEAM and LEED project requirements.
It is important to recognise that an individual adhesive does not make an entire building BREEAM- or LEED-certified.
Overall certification depends on the complete building design, specification, construction process and assessment. However, selecting suitable low-emission materials can help project teams meet relevant indoor air quality and low-emitting material criteria.
For manufacturers supplying products into sustainable construction projects, independently verified adhesive emissions performance can provide valuable evidence and support specification decisions.
What Is Indoor Air Comfort GOLD Certification?
Indoor Air Comfort GOLD is an independent product certification programme developed by Eurofins.
The certification evaluates emissions from construction products, materials and furniture against a wide range of European and international indoor air quality requirements.
Products carrying Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification have undergone detailed emissions testing and ongoing certification procedures designed to demonstrate consistently low product emissions.
The certification brings a number of recognised low-emission requirements together within one assessment and can provide accepted supporting evidence for sustainable building schemes including BREEAM and LEED.
For manufacturers, Indoor Air Comfort GOLD can help:
- Demonstrate independently verified low emissions
- Support healthier indoor environments
- Provide evidence for sustainable building specifications
- Support relevant BREEAM requirements
- Support relevant LEED low-emitting material requirements
- Increase confidence throughout the manufacturing and construction supply chain
- Meet growing demand for lower-emission materials
Choosing an Indoor Air Comfort GOLD-certified adhesive can provide greater confidence that product emissions have been independently assessed rather than relying solely on general environmental claims.
Cascamite Industrial V100 and JL10
Cascamite Industrial V100 Veneering Resin and Cascamite Industrial JL10 Joinery Resin have both achieved Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification.
This demonstrates their low-emission performance and suitability for manufacturers looking to support healthier indoor environments and meet increasingly demanding sustainability specifications.
Cascamite Industrial V100 Veneering Resin
V100 is a one-component veneering and laminating resin developed for efficient manufacturing.
Its ready-to-use formulation removes the need for mixing, helping manufacturers simplify production and improve consistency.
V100 is:
- Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certified
- VOC-free
- Solvent-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Suitable for hot and cold press bonding
- Fast curing
- Designed to create a rigid bond line
- Formulated to help reduce adhesive bleed-through
Its Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification can provide supporting evidence for relevant BREEAM and LEED low-emission material requirements.
For furniture, panel and veneered component manufacturers, V100 combines production efficiency with independently verified low-emission performance.
Cascamite Industrial JL10 Joinery Resin
JL10 is a ready-to-use joinery resin developed for manufacturers looking for strong bond performance alongside lower product emissions.
JL10 is:
- Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certified
- VOC-free
- Solvent-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Suitable for hot and cold press bonding
- Fast curing
- Water resistant
- Designed to create a rigid and reliable bond line
- Suitable for furniture, joinery and interior manufacturing applications
Its Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification can support relevant BREEAM and LEED requirements relating to low-emitting materials and indoor air quality.
JL10 provides manufacturers with a cleaner and more future-focused alternative for suitable joinery applications without compromising production performance.
Both V100 and JL10 demonstrate how adhesive innovation can support manufacturing efficiency, product quality and improved indoor environmental performance.
Supporting Occupational Health
Sustainable manufacturing is also about protecting the people working within the production environment.
Reviewing adhesive use may identify opportunities to reduce exposure to solvents, odours, formaldehyde or monomeric isocyanates where suitable alternatives are available.
Low-monomer polyurethane adhesives, low-VOC products, VOC-free adhesives and solvent-free adhesive technologies may help support cleaner manufacturing environments and simplify some aspects of product handling.
Any change should still be assessed alongside the product Safety Data Sheet, workplace risk assessments and relevant COSHH requirements.
Selecting the correct adhesive is only one part of the process. Application equipment, ventilation, operator training, storage and working practices must also be considered.
Creating Longer-Lasting Manufactured Products
Durability is an important part of sustainable manufacturing.
A strong and reliable adhesive bond can help increase product life, reduce premature failures and minimise the need for repairs or replacement products.
The environmental impact of manufacturing a product extends beyond the production line. Raw materials, processing, packaging, transport and installation all contribute to its overall footprint.
Improving product durability can help reduce the need to repeat these processes.
Choosing the correct adhesive for the substrate, operating environment and expected service life is therefore essential.
How Can Ureka Help You Build a More Sustainable Supply Chain?
Improving adhesive sustainability should be based on evidence rather than assumptions.
Ureka’s technical team can review your current adhesive process and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce waste, lower overall costs and support your sustainability objectives.
The process can begin with an on-site adhesive audit covering areas such as:
- Current adhesive consumption
- Adhesive application methods
- Cure and production times
- Bond performance
- Material waste
- Cleaning requirements
- Production bottlenecks
- Operator processes
- Adhesive storage and handling
- Low-emission adhesive requirements
- BREEAM and LEED project specifications
Our technical team will then guide you through the Ureka Sticky Smart System.
Discover
We take the time to understand your adhesive application, materials, production objectives and existing challenges.
Recommend
Our technical team analyses the process and recommends suitable industrial adhesive products, application equipment or process improvements.
Where indoor air quality standards are important, we can also help identify appropriate low-VOC, VOC-free or independently certified adhesive technologies.
Trial
Recommended adhesive solutions are tested within the production environment to confirm performance and identify any adjustments required.
Implement
Once the adhesive system has been approved, we help support the transition into full production and provide guidance for operators.
Support
Our technical support continues after implementation. We remain available to help optimise the adhesive process, resolve production challenges and identify future opportunities for improvement.
Sustainable Adhesives: Frequently Asked Questions
What is a sustainable adhesive?
A sustainable adhesive is not defined by one individual feature.
Depending on the application, sustainability benefits may include lower VOC content, reduced solvent use, lower adhesive consumption, improved production efficiency, reduced energy use, less waste, lower product emissions or increased product durability.
The complete adhesive application process should always be considered.
What is an Indoor Air Comfort GOLD-certified adhesive?
An Indoor Air Comfort GOLD-certified adhesive has undergone independent emissions testing and certification through Eurofins.
The certification demonstrates high standards of low-emission performance and can provide supporting evidence for recognised sustainable building schemes, including relevant BREEAM and LEED requirements.
Are V100 and JL10 Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certified?
Yes. Cascamite Industrial V100 Veneering Resin and Cascamite Industrial JL10 Joinery Resin have both achieved Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification.
Both products are VOC-free, solvent-free and formaldehyde-free, making them suitable options for manufacturers seeking strong adhesive performance alongside lower emissions.
Are V100 and JL10 BREEAM and LEED compliant?
V100 and JL10 are Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certified and can support compliance with relevant BREEAM and LEED requirements relating to low-emitting materials and indoor air quality.
However, BREEAM and LEED assess complete building projects. No individual adhesive can make an entire building BREEAM- or LEED-certified.
Project requirements should always be reviewed with the relevant assessor, sustainability consultant or specification team.
How can manufacturers reduce adhesive waste?
Manufacturers can reduce adhesive waste by reviewing coat weight, application accuracy, mixing procedures, storage, cleaning processes and adhesive performance.
An on-site adhesive audit can identify where excess adhesive is being used and where application efficiency could be improved.
Which adhesive is best for sustainable manufacturing?
There is no single best sustainable adhesive for every manufacturing process.
The correct adhesive will depend on the substrates, required bond strength, production speed, operating environment and application method.
Suitable options may include water-based adhesives, hot melt adhesives, solvent-free adhesives, VOC-free adhesives, low-monomer polyurethane adhesives or Indoor Air Comfort GOLD-certified adhesives.
Can changing adhesive reduce manufacturing energy use?
In some applications, changing adhesive technology or improving the adhesive process can reduce cure time, pressing time, equipment use or production downtime.
Any potential energy saving should be assessed and validated through production trials.
Make Your Process More Sustainable
Sustainability does not always require a complete change to your production line.
Reducing adhesive consumption, improving application accuracy, shortening cure times, lowering emissions or preventing bond failures can create measurable environmental and commercial benefits.
For manufacturers supplying furniture, joinery, panels and interior products, selecting independently certified low-emission adhesives can also help meet growing demand for healthier indoor environments and more sustainable building materials.
Cascamite Industrial V100 and JL10 provide manufacturers with high-performance adhesive options backed by Indoor Air Comfort GOLD certification and capable of supporting relevant BREEAM and LEED low-emission requirements.
The right adhesive solution should improve sustainability while protecting productivity, quality and profitability.
Got an adhesive problem?
Let our Sticky Smarts work for you. Speak to Ureka’s technical team about an on-site adhesive audit and discover how your bonding process could become more efficient, cost-effective and sustainable.
Follow us on LinkedIn
