Open-source adhesives tech from Continental and Kordsa could address both dematerialization and sustainability challenges

September 29, 2020 | Case Study

Adhesives is a mature and established space where large corporations dominate the market and innovation has traditionally been stagnated despite looming challenges. However, some adhesives users are pushing for innovation in new ways, as with the Cokoon adhesive dip technology from Continental and Kordsa. Cokoon claims to be more eco-friendly – resorcinol- and formaldehyde-free, and using less ammonia – compared to resorcinol formaldehyde latex (RFL) adhesives used to coat tire cords to bind the textile to the rubber. Cokoon is based on epoxy, blocked isocyanates, latex, and other undisclosed additives and uses the same standard processing and equipment as RFL, reportedly at the same cost.