All aboard! During this episode, we explain how adhesives and sealants have undergone a dramatic transformation from minor components to indispensable, strategic elements in modern rail car construction. This shift has been driven by the need for lighter, stronger, quieter, and more efficient vehicles, moving away from traditional mechanical fastening methods like rivets, bolts, and welds. The amount of adhesive used in an average rail car has skyrocketed 50-fold, from ~10 kg in the 198...

In this special episode, we do a deep dive on the global exotic hardwood industry, particularly for musical instruments. A key theme is the critical, often understated, role of adhesives in the manufacturing of high-performance exotic wood veneers and their subsequent impact on the aesthetic and acoustic qualities of guitars and ukuleles. We tracked down an expert who has been hugely successful with the vertical integration of this business, both upstream and downstream. Hi...

As outlined in recent issues of the Adhesives & Sealants Industry magazine, the industry is undergoing a significant transformation, characterized by a pervasive drive towards sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) integration, intense innovation and investment in automotive electrification (EV) adhesives, and a dynamic landscape shaped by strategic mergers, acquisitions, and partnerships. Leading adhesive manufacturers are restructuring to focus on high-growth segments,

Are we on the cusp of a new era of Biochemical discovery? In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN reporter Max Barnhart about his recent C&EN cover story on the frontiers of bioprospecting for new antibiotics. Uncovered offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories pulled from the pages of Chemical & Engineering News. Check out Max’s story on the recent advancements of Bioprospecting.   Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or

In this episode of EDII Catalyst, we are thrilled to welcome Dr. Josephine Tsang, Executive Director of the Chemical Institute of Canada (CIC) and a proud Queen’s University alumna. Dr. Tsang shares her journey through STEM, the pivotal mentors who shaped her path, and how she uses her platform to foster inclusion and drive change in Canada’s scientific landscape. At C2MCI, we are dedicated to advancing the science and technology of carbon to metal coatings. Our mission is to innovate a...

Today we’re hitting pause on the lab shifts and diving into something timely — your very first day with students. If you’ve ever dreaded starting the year with a dry syllabus read-through or found yourself doing all the talking, this episode is for you.I walkyou through my Models in Science lesson — an interactive, movement-based activity that gets students collaborating, thinking scientifically, and laughing together. We’ll talk about how this lesson sets expectations, introduces

The "Right to Repair" movement has rapidly evolved from a niche advocacy stance to a global policy imperative, profoundly reshaping expectations for product longevity and manufacturer responsibility. This movement is driven by increasing consumer demand for affordable repairs, environmental concerns over electronic waste (e-waste), and the desire for greater access to tools, parts, and repair information. Debonding-on-Demand (DoD) adhesives represent a paradigm shift in adhesive technology, e...

During today's episode, we take a deep dive into footwear recycling and the broader shift towards a circular economy in the footwear industry. The global footwear industry, producing over 20 billion pairs of shoes annually, faces significant environmental challenges, particularly at the end-of-life stage. The current model is predominantly "take-make-dispose," leading to substantial waste and environmental contamination. It is said that approximately 95% of used footwear in the ...

Structural adhesives are defined by their load-bearing capabilities, transmitting forces between adherends (components being joined). Historically, this often implied quantitative load-bearing metrics, but a broader view now encompasses systems where the consequences of failure, though varying, are significant. The market for structural adhesives is projected to grow to over $20 billion, driven by the demand for lighter, stronger, more cost-effective, and more robust system performance. Adhes...

During today's podcast, we review the historical use of whales in adhesive manufacturing. In the past, whale cartilage was used to produce glue. The whaling industry was busy extracting whale oil, spermaceti, and baleen for illumination, lubrication, and flexible materials. Animal glues, derived from collagen, have an ancient history, dating back millennia and used across diverse industries like woodworking, art, and bookbinding. The process for making whale glue was simila...

ARALDITE® is a pioneering adhesive brand with over 70 years of history, renowned for its unbeatable epoxy technology and durable bonding strength. Originating from Aero Research Limited (ARL) in the UK and first commercialized by Ciba AG in Switzerland in 1946, ARALDITE® has evolved through significant corporate changes, currently operating globally under Huntsman Advanced Materials for industrial applications. Our podcast discusses this brand's enduring legacy which is built on its critical

In today's episode, the focus is on the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Technology and Advanced Materials (IFAM), which is a leading independent research institute in Europe, specializing in Adhesive Bonding Technology, Surfaces, Shaping, and Functional Materials. Founded in 1968 and part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft since 1974, IFAM boasts over 730 employees across seven German locations. Their core competencies, including metallic and polymeric materials, surface technology, adhesive

Adhesive bonding has evolved from a niche method to a primary joining technique across modern industries, offering advantages like lightweight structures, joining dissimilar materials, superior stress distribution, and corrosion resistance. Due to the "special process" nature of adhesive bonding, where quality must be built into the process rather than relying on post-application inspection, a robust system of qualified personnel is essential.   In this episode, we introduce the European

In this episode, we talk about sustainable construction practices, particularly through the adoption of bio-based adhesives in engineered wood products. Mass timber construction, utilizing engineered wood products like Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and Glued Laminated Timber (Glulam), is rapidly gaining popularity as a sustainable alternative in the construction industry.  Henkel, a pioneer in structural adhesives for engineered wood for over two decades, is actively investing in new sustainable

As electronic systems become increasingly compact and component-dense, new designs demand dual function material capability. Traditional mechanical fasteners (screws, clips) are often impractical due to limited space, mechanical stress concerns, weight, or production inefficiencies. Thermally conductive adhesives (TCAs) offer a solution by providing both structural bonding and critical thermal conductivity in a single material. This dual functionality offers numerous benefits, including enhanced

FEICA (the Association of the European Adhesive & Sealant Industry) plays a critical role not in the adhesive industry but with the users of such adhesives.  FEICA, established in 1972, is the preeminent representative body for the European adhesive and sealant sector. Its core purpose, as outlined in today's podcast episode, is to champion the collective interests of its members, enhance the industry's operating environment, and foster innovation and sustainable growth. Crucial for

This episode focuses on Medmix and its innovative and sustainable "greenLine™" cartridge system. The core theme revolves around the successful integration of high-performance industrial dispensing solutions with significant environmental responsibility, primarily through the use of recycled plastics in the cartridge. This collaboration highlights a growing industry trend towards sustainable practices that do not compromise on quality or efficiency, offering significant economic and

Mussel-inspired adhesives represent a revolutionary class of biomaterials that mimic the exceptional ability of marine mussels to adhere strongly in wet, saline, and dynamic environments. Unlike conventional synthetic glues that fail in the presence of moisture, these bio-inspired adhesives, leveraging the unique chemistry of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) and its synthetic analogue polydopamine (PDA), offer robust, durable, and versatile bonding. In this podcast, we learn how these bio-ba...

The Adhesive and Sealant Council (ASC), which was established in 1958, is the focus of today's podcast.  They are the preeminent North American trade association for the adhesives and sealants industry, representing over 75% of the U.S. industry's value chain. Its mission is to deliver essential career education, foster collaborative innovation, facilitate comprehensive community knowledge sharing, and articulate a unified industry voice to accelerate the adoption of advanced solutions and

In this episode, we will look at the adhesive market in China and the role of distribution. China's industrial adhesive market is a rapidly expanding sector, projected to reach USD 16.90 billion by 2028 with a CAGR of 6.45%. This growth is driven by key end-use industries like packaging, automotive (especially EVs), and construction, coupled with strong government emphasis on sustainability and advanced manufacturing. Foreign players face increasing competition from rapidly innova...