Acrylic Emulsion PSA Composition for Low-Migration Food Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pressure sensitive adhesive compositions used in food contact applications exceed the overall migration limits set by regulations, posing a risk to food quality and safety.
Innovation Solution
The development of acrylic copolymer-based adhesive compositions that include an acrylic emulsion and a method for preparing the same, which are dispersed in an aqueous medium, using specific monomer ratios and solubility parameters to achieve reduced overall migration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are used in food contact applications, then adhesive performance is achieved, but overall migration exceeds regulatory limits (10 mg/dm²)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters of the adhesive by using specific acrylic copolymers with controlled monomer ratios (70-85 wt% 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and 15-30 wt% unsaturated monomer), adjusting polymer molecular weight (10,000-100,000 g/mol), and optimizing surfactant concentrations to achieve both adequate adhesive performance and migration below 10 mg/dm²
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite adhesive system combining acrylic copolymer, surfactant, and optional additives in specific ratios, where the copolymer provides adhesive functionality while the surfactant controls migration, achieving a balance between performance and safety
2Object-affected harmful factors
If monomer ratios are optimized to reduce overall migration, then food safety is improved, but adhesive composition complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by specifying particular ranges for each component (70-85 wt% 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 15-30 wt% unsaturated monomer, specific surfactant types and concentrations) rather than uniform composition, allowing optimization of migration properties while maintaining adhesive functionality
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The compositions exhibit overall migration of less than 25 mg/dm², meeting regulatory standards and ensuring food safety.
Implementation Method 1
The acrylic emulsions are emulsion polymerization products of (a) a monomer mixture comprising, based on the total weight of monomers in the monomer mixture, from 70 to 85 weight percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate ('EHA') and from 10 to 30 weight percent an unsaturated monomer, (b) a surfactant, and (c) an initiator
Implementation Method 2
The acrylic emulsions are emulsion polymerization products of (a) a monomer mixture comprising, based on the total weight of monomers in the monomer mixture, from 70 to 85 weight percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate ('EHA') and from 10 to 30 weight percent an unsaturated monomer, (b) a surfactant, and (c) an initiator
Data Source
AI summary
Pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are disclosed comprising acrylic emulsions that are emulsion polymerization products of (a) a monomer mixture comprising, based on the total weight of monomers in the monomer mixture, from 50 to 99 weight percent 2-ethylhexyl acrylate and from 1 to 50 weight percent an unsaturated monomer, (b) a surfactant, and (c) an initiator. Methods for preparing pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are also disclosed. Food contact articles comprising the disclosed pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are also disclosed. In some embodiments, the disclosed food contact articles have an overall migration of less than 25 mg/dm2, as measured in accordance with EN 1186, or less than 10 mg/dm2, as measured in accordance with EN 1186.