Henkel launches solventless LOCTITE Liofol LA 7845 with LA 6181, enabling retortable flexible packaging with solvent-level performance and lower impact.
Henkel introduces LOCTITE Liofol LA 7845 with LA 6181, a solventless retortable laminating adhesive designed to help flexible packaging converters move away from solvent-based lamination without sacrificing performance. The system delivers retort durability comparable to solvent-based solutions, while reducing environmental impact by eliminating solvent drying.
- LA 7845/LA 6181 is designed for high performance applications up to Retort
- This system has shown excellent performance in hot fill and other high thermal and chemical environments, such as pool chemicals.
- Adding a universal high performing solventless adhesive to your portfolio can cover many applications and significantly reduce operational complexity.
"We are extremely proud of our newest innovation in solventless technology. Enabling conversion of solvent-based technology provides significant carbon footprint and sustainability benefits and we at Henkel remain committed to leading this change within the Flexible Packaging industry"
— Andy Gold, Vice President of Flexible Packaging
Cuts greenhouse gas emissions and energy use
Eliminating solvent drying removes gas-fired ovens, cutting natural gas use, CO₂ emissions, and operating costs.
Delivers solvent-based performance in retort applications
LOCTITE Liofol LA 7845 with LA 6181 enables a shift from solvent-based adhesives while ensuring retort packaging durability.
Improves workplace safety and operator conditions
Removing solvents reduces fire risk, limits inhalation exposure, and improves working conditions on the lamination line.
For converters, solventless lamination can mean lower energy demand, faster throughput and lower operating costs because drying ovens and solvent handling are eliminated. It can also improve workplace safety and support sustainability targets through lower emissions and reduced resource use.
No drying step
Reduced energy use and operating complexity
Solventless process
Improved worker safety and reduced adhesive usage
Potential material efficiency
Optimized adhesive application and waste reduction
Retort Performance
Built for demanding, heat-sterilized applications
Eliminating solvents can create measurable environmental and cost impact. In one example scenario, this equated to ~3,200 metric tons of CO₂ per year and ~144,000 m³ of natural gas per year avoided.
Contact Henkel for a custom assessment of your retort structure and lamination process, covering energy use, emissions reduction potential, line conditions and performance requirements.
Solventless retort lamination adhesives differ from solvent-based systems because they do not use solvent carriers and therefore do not require a solvent-drying step. For retort packaging, they must still deliver the bond strength, pouch integrity and thermal resistance needed for high-temperature sterilization or similarly demanding applications. This gives converters a route to combine retort performance with a lower-emission lamination process and, in many cases, lower process energy demand.
When switching from solvent-based to solventless lamination adhesives, converters can gain a simpler lamination process because drying ovens and solvent handling are reduced or eliminated from the workflow. That can lower process complexity and improve operating efficiency, while the adhesive still needs to deliver the bond strength, pouch integrity and thermal resistance required for retort or other demanding applications. The operational value therefore comes from both process simplification and the ability to maintain high-performance packaging output.
Switching to solventless lamination adhesives can reduce VOC emissions because the adhesive system does not rely on solvent carriers in the lamination step. Energy demand can also be reduced because solventless lamination removes the need for solvent-drying ovens, which lowers process energy use compared with solvent-based lamination. Henkel describes this as a lower-impact process and external studies on solventless lamination likewise report lower VOC emissions and lower energy demand versus conventional dry lamination.
For high-speed flexible packaging lines, converters should look for solventless lamination adhesives that provide stable application behavior, reliable bond development, compatibility with the target substrates and inks and the thermal or chemical resistance required by the end use. If the application includes retort, hot fill, or other demanding conditions, pouch durability and seal-area performance remain critical. Operationally, converters also look for smooth line integration, lower energy demand and a process window that supports consistent production at speed.
Solventless retort lamination adhesives can improve workplace safety by reducing or eliminating routine solvent handling on the lamination line, which lowers fire-related and inhalation-related exposure concerns compared with solvent-based processes. They can also improve operational efficiency because drying ovens are not required, reducing energy use and simplifying the line setup. For converters, the value is a process that combines safer plant conditions with the retort performance needed for demanding flexible packaging applications.
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