Adhesive Technologies

Explore Our Extensive Adhesive Technology Solutions Offerings

APPLIED Adhesives is the trusted adhesive expert for companies that need more than a vendor selling a product. We take the time to understand your application, your process, and the challenges you’re solving — then guide you to the right adhesive technology for the job, backed by a full system of equipment, parts, and technical support. Our portfolio spans hot-melt adhesives, water-based adhesives, pressure-sensitive adhesives, sustainable adhesives, cleaners & lubricants, flexible packaging solutions, and palletizing adhesives.

  • Hot-Melt Adhesives
  • Water-Based Adhesives
  • Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives
  • Sustainable Adhesives
  • Cleaners & Lubricants
  • Flexible Packaging
  • Palletizing Adhesives
Hot-Melt Adhesives

Hot-Melt Adhesives

Hot melt adhesives are thermoplastic materials that start in liquid form and solidifies upon cooling to room temperature. Manufacturers seek out hot melt adhesives for their excellent bonding strength and fast set speeds. 

APPLIED carries a full range of hot melt adhesives utilizing the full range of polymers including:

  • Metallocene Polyolefin (mPO)
  • Metallocene Polyolefin blends (mPO/Rubber, mPO/EVA)
  • Ethylene Vinyl Acetate (EVA), Rubber-Based Pressure Sensitives (PSA)
  • Atactic Polyolefin (APAO)
  • Polyurethane Reactives (PUR) 

These adhesives have a wide range of applications (high temperature, low application temperature, and freezer grade applications) including end-of-line packaging, bottle and can labeling, bookbinding, fugitives, bag making, tag & label, and product & durable assembly to name a few.

Water-Based Adhesives

Water-Based Adhesives

Adhesives that work through the evaporation or absorption of water into the substrate are called water-based adhesives.

While they are created using natural polymers like Starch, Dextrin, Casein, Natural Rubber Latex, and Animal Glue, water-based adhesives can also contain synthetic polymers like Polyvinyl Acetates (PvoAC), Vinyl Acetate Ethylene (VAE), and Acrylics.

Water-based adhesives are commonly used in Corrugated Glued-lap and Folding Carton, Litho Laminating, Tube Winding, Tissue and Towel, Palletizing, Bottle Labeling, Envelop Converting, Label Converting, and Bag Making.

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Pressure-Sensitive Adhesives

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) bond surfaces through simple contact and light pressure, with no water, solvent, or heat needed to activate.

PSAs can be formulated as emulsion (water-based), hot melt, solvent-based, or UV-curable systems, with rubber/resin, acrylic, and silicone as the main chemistries — each offering its own performance trade-offs.

They can be applied directly to a surface or converted into tapes, including single-faced, double-faced, and transfer tape constructions.

PSAs deliver strong adhesion across plastics, metals, and glass, and are widely used in tape manufacturing, electronics, transportation and durable assembly, and medical applications.

Sustainable Adhesives

Sustainable Adhesives

Sustainable adhesives help manufacturers meet growing environmental regulations and consumer demand for greener packaging and products.

APPLIED offers sustainable adhesive options across several categories: biodegradable adhesives made from natural, renewable materials that break down without harmful residue; compostable adhesives that go a step further, breaking down into soil suitable for growing food; repulpable adhesives that dissolve fully during the paper repulping process, ideal for cardboard and paper packaging; and recyclable adhesives designed to be reprocessed into new material without waste, commonly used in glass, aluminum, and steel bonding.

Cleaners & Lubricants

Cleaners & Lubricants

Regular preventative maintenance keeps hot-melt equipment running at peak performance and helps avoid costly, unplanned downtime.

APPLIED’s hot-melt cleaners and lubricants are formulated for demanding manufacturing environments — from heavy-duty purge cleaners that dissolve charred adhesive and prevent clogged nozzles, to general-purpose citrus-based degreasers for everyday equipment upkeep. Routine cleaning and purging, recommended every 3–6 months or with any adhesive changeover, helps maximize efficiency, extend equipment life, reduce unscheduled repairs, and support safer maintenance conditions.

Flexible Packaging

Flexible Packaging

APPLIED is the exclusive U.S. distributor of Henkel adhesives and coatings for flexible packaging, pairing proven Henkel technology with APPLIED's national reach and technical support.

The partnership brings together Henkel’s laminating, heat seal, and cold seal technologies with APPLIED’s local inventory and hands-on application expertise, giving flexible packaging converters — including food and beverage producers — fast access to high-performance, food-safe solutions. Customers also gain support for evolving sustainability goals, including recyclable, solventless laminating options, along with documentation and regulatory guidance for food contact compliance.

Palletizing Adhesives

Palletizing Adhesives

Palletizing adhesives offer manufacturers a high-performance alternative to plastic stretch wrap alone, applied between layers of cases or trays to stabilize pallet loads during storage and transport.

Available in water-based and hot-melt formulations — including FDA-compliant options for food packaging — palletizing adhesives can reduce stretch-wrap and plastic film usage, improve load stability, and support recyclability and sustainability goals, while also easing the manual strain of traditional wrapping. Our team can evaluate your packaging substrates, line configuration, and sustainability targets to determine whether adhesive-based pallet stabilization is the right fit for your operation.

Experts in Adhesive Technologies and Application

Choosing the right adhesive, sealant, or coating is essential for optimizing performance, durability, and sustainability in various applications. Our team of adhesive application experts is dedicated to guiding you through the selection process, ensuring you find the best solution tailored to your needs. In addition to providing a broad portfolio of high-performing adhesives, sealants, and coatings, we offer equipment, parts, maintenance, and refurbishment services. To learn more about how we can assist you in selecting the right adhesive and to explore our extensive range of products, contact us below or visit our Adhesives Education page, where you’ll find valuable resources and insights on adhesive technologies and applications.

Contact us today to learn more about how APPLIED Adhesives can help you choose the right adhesive solution.