Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials IFAM
Applikation von Schmelzklebstoffen
© Adobe Stock/Pungkas
Application of hot-melt adhesives

© Adobe Stock/Pungkas

CO₂ as a raw material for sustainable adhesives

Climate-friendly adhesives through Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU)

CO₂ does not only cause emissions – it can also become a raw material. This is precisely where Fraunhofer IFAM’s “CO₂ Adhesive” project comes in. The focus is on how carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be chemically bound as part of Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) and used to develop sustainable adhesives. The goal is to partially replace fossil-based raw materials and open up new avenues for resource-efficient material development – for example, for applications in the adhesives, packaging, automotive, and electronics industries.

 

How can CO₂ be used as a raw material?

Carbon dioxide is considered one of the most significant drivers of human-induced climate change. In addition to reducing emissions, the use of existing CO₂ is therefore becoming increasingly important. An important approach to this is Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU). In this process, CO₂ is captured and used as an alternative carbon source for new products and materials.

What is unique about the “CO₂ Adhesive” project is that it investigates how CO₂ can be chemically bonded and converted into usable raw materials under mild reaction conditions – primarily at normal pressure (1 atm). The project uses readily available and easily accessible starting materials.

 

From CO₂ to adhesive – a comprehensive view of the entire value chain

The project examines the entire development process: from the starting materials through the synthesis of CO₂-based raw materials to the development of functional adhesive materials.

This holistic approach makes it possible not only to develop new materials but also to assess their industrial manufacturability and applicability at an early stage. The goal is to make CO₂ usable as a sustainable carbon source for industrial applications in the long term.

 

Hot-melt adhesives as an application example

The development of a CO₂-based hot-melt adhesive serves as a demonstrator. Using this example, the researchers are investigating whether the developed raw materials can compete with conventional solutions in terms of performance, processability, and practical suitability.

The results provide important insights into the potential of CO₂-based adhesives for various industrial applications.

 

Research and industry collaborate to develop climate-friendly solutions

The project is being carried out jointly under the leadership of Dr. Fawaz Al Hussein from Fraunhofer IFAM and Bühnen GmbH & Co. KG. This close collaboration combines scientific research with industrial application and makes it possible to evaluate both the technical feasibility and the economic viability of the developed technologies.

The project is funded by the Bremer Aufbaubank.

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  • Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) refers to processes in which carbon dioxide (CO₂) is captured and subsequently used as a raw material for new products or materials. The goal is to use CO₂ as an alternative carbon source and to partially replace fossil raw materials.

  • CO₂ can be chemically converted into new raw materials for products such as plastics, chemicals, fuels, or adhesives. This requires that the CO₂ be converted into usable compounds through suitable chemical or biotechnological processes.

  • CO₂-based raw materials can partially replace fossil-based raw materials in certain applications. Whether this is possible depends on the material properties, the manufacturing processes, and the technical and economic requirements of the respective application.

  • CO₂-based hot-melt adhesives are currently in the research and development phase. The goal is to demonstrate their performance, processability, and practical suitability so that they may be suitable for industrial applications in the future.

  • CO₂-based adhesives can help conserve fossil raw materials and utilize alternative carbon sources. How sustainable they actually are depends, among other things, on the origin of the CO₂, the manufacturing processes used, and the product’s entire life cycle.

  • Chemically binding CO₂ under mild reaction conditions can reduce energy consumption and technical complexity compared to processes involving high temperatures or pressures. This can make processes more cost-effective under certain circumstances and easier to integrate into industrial applications.