3.1.3 Sustainability

Sustainable adhesives are divided into five categories:

1	Repulpable Adhesives:	These adhesives are dissolved in water during the paper-repulping process, eliminating residues or films left behind by non-repulpable products. Such adhesives are typically used to produce cardboard boxes, envelopes and other paper product applications.
2	Renewable Adhesives:	These adhesives use raw materials from renewable sources, such as plants and beeswax, rather than petroleum sources. In addition to the decreased carbon footprint, they enhance the sustainability of many applications.
3	Recyclable Adhesives:	Recyclable adhesives are often used in automotive applications and for bonding glass, aluminium and steel, for example. They are fully compatible with the bonded substrates and can be melted down without yielding any adhesive residue when the product reaches its end of life.
4	Biodegradable Adhesives:	These adhesives are designed to be degraded by bacteria and other living organisms. They produce water, CO2 and other naturally occurring materials, depending on the environmental conditions. These adhesives are generally produced using naturally sourced or renewable raw materials.
5	Compostable Adhesives:	These adhesives are a subset of biodegradable adhesives. However, unlike biodegradable adhesives, these adhesives can be broken down within a compost pile and do not leave behind any harmful residues. The resulting compost can be used to fertilise the soil and grow crops.

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