Sylvie Willis
Glue, a gelatinous adhesive substance, is used to form a surface attachment between discrete materials. Most conventional glues are made from fossil fuels and take thousands of years to biodegrade. For instance, the superglue used by climate protesters is made from fossil fuels. However, there are other types of glue that are not made from fossil fuels, such as animal hide glue, and soy-based glue, which is a more sustainable alternative.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Majority of glues made from fossil fuels | Yes |
| Types of glues made from fossil fuels | Cyanoacrylate, epoxy, solvent glues |
| Alternative to fossil fuel-based glues | Soya-based glue |
| Biodegradability of fossil fuel-based glues | Take thousands of years to biodegrade |
| Environmental impact of fossil fuel-based glues | High carbon emissions, contributes to ocean microplastics |
| Biodegradability of soya-based glues | Biodegradable |
| Environmental impact of soya-based glues | Lower carbon emissions, reduces ocean microplastics |
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What You'll Learn
Cyanoacrylate glues, or super glues, are derived from fossil fuels
Glues are everywhere, holding together most of the modern world, from phones and furniture to cars and buildings. The majority of adhesives are made from fossil fuels, and the bonds they create are permanent, which can hinder processes like recycling.
Cyanoacrylate glues are created by adding cyanoacrylic acid to an alcohol such as methanol or ethanol to make the ester that forms the basis for the glue. Methanol is made from natural gas or fossil fuels. Cyanoacrylate glues are the newest and strongest of modern glues and have a wide range of applications, from household repairs to industrial uses in construction, medicine, and dentistry.
In recent years, superglue has become a popular tool for climate protesters, including the Just Stop Oil movement, who have been criticised for using adhesives made from fossil fuels in their campaigns against the exploration and production of fossil fuels. However, it is important to note that not all glues are derived from fossil fuels, and some alternatives, such as soya-oil-based adhesives, offer a more sustainable option with similar strength and performance.
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Toluene, a liquid hydrocarbon made from fossil fuels, is used in solvent glues
Glue is a gelatinous adhesive substance used to form a surface attachment between discrete materials. There are five basic types of glue: solvent glues, water-based glues, two-part glues, animal hide glues, and super glues. Solvent glues comprise an adhesive base mixed with a chemical solvent that makes the glue spreadable; the glue dries as the solvent evaporates. Most solvents are flammable, and they evaporate quickly.
Toluene, a colorless, water-insoluble liquid hydrocarbon made from fossil fuels, is often used in solvent glues. It has a sharp or sweet odor, which is a sign of exposure. It is a common solvent used in paints, paint thinners, strippers, silicone sealants, chemical reactants, rubber, printing ink, adhesives (glues), lacquers, leather tanners, and disinfectants. Toluene is also used as an industrial feedstock and as an octane booster in gasoline fuels for internal combustion engines, jet fuel, and turbocharged engines in Formula One.
The use of toluene-containing products, such as paint thinner, contact cement, correction pens, and model glue, can have intoxicating effects and cause severe neurological harm. Inhalation of toluene can lead to symptoms such as irritated eyes, nose, and throat; dry or cracked skin; headaches; dizziness; confusion; and anxiety. Long-term exposure to toluene may result in more severe health issues, including damage to the nervous system and the female reproductive system.
While glue is essential in holding together many modern-day objects, from phones and furniture to cars and buildings, most adhesives are made from fossil fuels, contributing to their environmental cost. Recently, researchers have developed a soya-oil-based adhesive that offers a strong, reversible, and less carbon-intensive alternative to conventional fossil-fuel-derived glues.
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Water-based glues do not use fossil fuels
Glue is a gelatinous adhesive substance used to form a surface attachment between discrete materials. There are five basic types of glue: solvent glues, water-based glues, two-part glues, animal hide glues, and cyanoacrylate glues. While most glues are made from fossil fuels, water-based glues do not use fossil fuels.
Solvent glues comprise an adhesive base mixed with a chemical solvent, such as toluene, a liquid hydrocarbon made from fossil fuels. Water-based glues, on the other hand, use water as a solvent instead of chemicals. They work slower than chemical solvent glues but are not flammable. Examples of water-based glues include white glue and powdered casein glue, which is made from milk protein and can be mixed at home or in a shop.
The use of water as a solvent in water-based glues instead of chemicals means that they do not rely on fossil fuels for their adhesive properties. This makes them a more environmentally friendly alternative to solvent-based glues, which contribute to the environmental cost of adhesives.
In recent years, there have been efforts to develop even more sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based glues. For example, a team of researchers has developed a soya-oil-based adhesive that is strong, reversible, and less carbon-intensive to produce than existing adhesives. This new glue mimics epoxy, a common type of glue that is typically made from fossil fuels. By replacing current epoxies with the soya alternative, it is estimated that tonnes of microplastics could be prevented from entering oceans and landfills each year, and glue-related carbon emissions could be cut by up to five times.
In conclusion, while most glues are made from fossil fuels, water-based glues offer a more environmentally friendly alternative by using water as a solvent instead of chemicals. Additionally, the development of new adhesives, such as soya-based glue, shows potential for even more sustainable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-based glues.
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Animal hide glues are made from animal products
Glue is a gelatinous adhesive substance used to form a surface attachment between discrete materials. The majority of modern glues are made from fossil fuels. However, animal hide glues are made from animal products and do not contain fossil fuels.
Animal hide glue is made from animal hides (animal skin) and bones, and is often used in woodworking. It is typically sold as granules, flakes, or flat sheets, which have an indefinite shelf life if kept dry. The glue is applied hot, usually with a brush or spatula, and kept hot in a glue pot. Animal hide glue is water-soluble, which is useful for joints that may need to be separated.
The process of making animal hide glue involves washing and soaking animal hides in lime for up to a month to break down the collagen. The hides are then neutralized with an acid and heated in water to extract the glue. The extracted glue is dried and ground into granules.
Animal hide glue has been used for thousands of years, with the earliest known use in Ancient Egypt, where they were made by prolonged boiling of animal hides, hooves, and connective tissue. Animal hide glue was also used in Mesopotamia (Iraq) and Egypt around 7000 BC, where they extracted animal components through boiling.
Today, animal hide glue is sparsely industrialized but remains popular for specific applications such as making and restoring violin family instruments, paintings, illuminated parchment manuscripts, and other artifacts. It is valued in violin-making due to its ability to be reopened without causing damage to the workpieces, in contrast to synthetic glues that remain hard after curing.
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Soy-based glues are a fossil fuel-free alternative
Glue is a gelatinous adhesive substance used to form a surface attachment between discrete materials. Most glues are made from fossil fuels, which come at an environmental cost. For instance, the commonly used superglue Cyanoacrylate is derived from Cyanoacrylic acid and methanol, which is made from natural gas or fossil fuels.
However, soy-based glues are emerging as a fossil fuel-free alternative. A team of researchers has developed a soya-oil-based adhesive that matches the strength of conventional glues. The soy-based adhesive was tested on metal, wood, plastics, and synthetic surfaces, and the results showed that it performed well, proving to be just as strong, if not more so, than traditional superglues and epoxies. For instance, it was found to be around 30% stronger than superglue when bonding polished aluminum. The soya glue can also be tailored for different applications by varying the temperature and duration of heating—the higher the temperature, the greater the strength, and the lower the temperature, the quicker the biodegradation.
The soy-based glue is also more environmentally friendly than traditional fossil fuel-based glues. Soya plants absorb carbon dioxide, and the process of manufacturing soy glue could potentially cut glue-related carbon emissions by five times. Additionally, replacing current epoxies with the soya alternative could prevent tonnes of microplastics from entering oceans and landfills each year, as epoxies are plastic-based and do not break down easily.
While soy-based glues show promise as a sustainable alternative, they may not be suitable for all applications. For instance, they may not be strong enough for gluing together automotive and aerospace structures. Further testing and refinement are needed to optimize the adhesive for specific use cases.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, most adhesives are made from fossil fuels.
Traditional superglues and epoxies are generally made from fossil fuels. Cyanoacrylate glue, also known as CA glue or super glue, is derived from methanol, which is made from fossil fuels.
Glue made from fossil fuels can have significant environmental impacts. They can take thousands of years to biodegrade, leading to the accumulation of microplastics in the environment. Additionally, their production generates a large amount of greenhouse gas emissions, with 1 tonne of epoxy resulting in approximately 5.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
Yes, there are efforts to develop more sustainable alternatives to traditional glues. For example, a team of researchers has developed a soya-oil-based adhesive that offers strong bonding and is biodegradable. This plant-based glue can potentially cut carbon emissions and reduce the environmental impact of glue production.
