The distributors are Antala of Spain, Biesterfeld Group and Bodo Moeller Chemie of Germany, Emanuele Mascherpa of Italy, Samaro of France and VIBA NL of the Netherlands.
The award was given for new technology of non-flammable, low-odour, and primer-free structural acrylate adhesives with a favourable health and safety profile.
According to the consortium, the new acrylic adhesive technology cures fast, creates high strength and high elongation bonds, outstanding stress and impact resistance, and importantly, unlike many structural adhesives, provides an effective solution to multiple sustainability-related challenges, without compromising performance.
First, it has a non-flammable classification: unlike traditional methyl-methacrylate-based products, new adhesives are not classified as flammable, leading to lower usage costs and environmental impact.
Second, it requires less need for safety training, for special storage and transportation conditions. The new chemistry allows for a class 9 transport classification versus a class 3 ("flammable liquids") for standard MMA-based adhesives. For example, road transport in tunnels is permitted, and consequently CO2 emissions were reduced thanks to optimised delivery routes. The new adhesives also have an improved GHS classification; they are not corrosive, and the ‘signal wording’ changes from ‘Danger’ to ‘Warning’. Operators are exposed to fewer hazards, which allows them to manipulate the products with fewer constraints due to less uncomfortable PPE equipment
Third, it is less smelly; 90% less odour than MMA products, to improve the well-being and satisfaction of users, especially in poorly ventilated working environments. It contributes to savings on personal and collective protective equipment
Fourth, limited surface preparation is required. The new adhesives display one of the very important features of MMA chemistry: most of the time they do not need long and costly surface preparation, which reduces application time by half and lowers costs, in comparison to polyurethane and epoxy products, while providing the same level of bonding strength.
In addition, material models are available for simulation.
