How Your Adhesive Needs Are Changing Quickly at PACK EXPO

AJ Adhesives | Week #42

How Your Adhesive Needs Are Changing Quickly at PACK EXPO

October 22, 2026

PACK EXPO 2026 wrapped up Oct. 21 at McCormick Place in Chicago, and it was the biggest edition yet. About 2,700 exhibitors filled more than 1.3 million net square feet of show floor. For anyone who buys, runs, or maintains adhesive equipment, the message was clear. Packaging materials, equipment, and rules are all changing at once.

Here are the trends that matter most for your adhesive program, and what to do about them.

PACK EXPO 2026 Puts Sustainability Into Practice

Sustainability is no longer a side topic. PMMI research released before the show found that more than 82% of end users are actively adopting sustainability practices. The question has moved from “should we” to “which changes pay off.”

Extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws were front and center. Show sessions covered design for recyclability as a legal requirement and ways to cut material use under EPR. If you sell into an EPR state, your packaging choices now carry compliance weight. That includes the adhesive that holds the package together.

Paper and Mono-Material Packaging Change the Bond

Paper-based and mono-material packaging kept gaining ground. Attendees voted for a water-based barrier coating for paper and mono-material packaging as a top innovation. Another award went to a lightweight tube made with up to 100% post-consumer recycled content.

These shifts matter for adhesives. A new coating, more recycled fiber, or a switch from film to paper can change how well an adhesive wets out and grips. When your packaging spec changes, re-check these points:

• Open time and set speed: Coated or recycled board can absorb heat and adhesive differently.
• Bond strength at temperature: Cold storage and hot warehouses stress new materials in new ways.
• Recyclability: The adhesive should not get in the way of the package’s recycling stream.

Bio-Based Hot Melt Options Are Arriving

The first PHA-based hot melt adhesive sold in the U.S. debuted during show week. It contains plant-based content and is designed to run on standard hot melt nozzles and rollers.

Expect more bio-based and renewable claims in the year ahead. These products can help brands meet carbon goals. Still, test any new hot melt on your own line, with your materials and speeds, before a full changeover.

Melt-on-Demand Equipment at PACK EXPO 2026

Hot melt equipment at the show focused on protecting the adhesive itself. Valco Melton showed its Kube Zero melt-on-demand system, which feeds adhesive automatically and starts up in as little as 20 minutes. It also previewed all-electric gluing systems that run without compressed air.

Melt-on-demand systems heat only the adhesive the line needs. That means less time sitting hot in a tank, less char, and fewer clogged nozzles. Vision systems that check every glue bead were also common. These tools reward an adhesive that matches the equipment. Our sister company, Mid-America Packaging, sells and services Valco Melton equipment if you are weighing an upgrade.

Automation and Labor Shortages Raise the Stakes

Robots and AI were everywhere. PMMI’s 2026 robotics report found that 61% of end users expect to raise robotics spending in the next year. New palletizers were built for tight spaces, and some cobots can now be programmed by voice.

Automation is often a response to labor shortages. With fewer people on the line, adhesives need to run steadily without constant adjustment. Robotic palletizers also stack loads fast, which puts more stress on case seals. A weak seal that a worker might catch by hand can become a pallet failure.

How to Act on PACK EXPO 2026 Trends

You do not need to overhaul your line to keep up. Start with a few simple steps:

1. Review recent packaging changes. List any new board grades, coatings, or recycled content from the past year.
2. Check adhesive fit. Confirm your current adhesive still performs on those materials.
3. Bring adhesives into compliance talks. Include adhesive choice in EPR and recyclability reviews.
4. Trial before you switch. Test new or bio-based options on your own line first.

AJ Adhesives works with leading manufacturers, including H.B. Fuller, Henkel, and Franklin. Our reps can help you compare options, review spec sheets, and set up on-line trials. Call 314-652-4583 or email info@ajadhesives.com to talk with a local rep.

Click here to contact your AJ Adhesives representative!

Call: (314) 652-4583 | Email: info@ajadhesives.com

Follow us on LinkedIn for more tips, resources, and updates!