Using a bio-based adhesive for paper mail wrapping
Mailing houses face many of the same environmental pressures that other industries encounter, namely the demand for greener ways of doing business that still provide, or even surpass, other performance criteria such cost effectiveness and productivity.
In this blog, the director of a leading mailing house in Birmingham, UK, tells us why they invested in a new paper mail wrapping line, and started using a bio-based adhesive to bond paper wraps. This move allows them to further strengthen their environmentally friendly offering, enabling their customers to modernise their mailings, reduce their carbon footprint, and boost conversions.
Paper wrapping, a growing alternative to film wrapping
Some mailing houses only offer polywrap or starch-based wraps for mail packs. However, paper mail wrapping is a new and growing option that offers many key benefits to customers.
As the director of the Birmingham mailing house explains, “Paper wrapping is cost effective for high volume and large letter mailings and allows up to ten inserts to be included in one pack”. It also allows for eye-catching designs. “The edge-to-edge print options on the outer wraps provide unique opportunities for branding and promotion, creating packs that really stand out.”
Another key consideration, particularly for the direct mail and publishing sector, is to move away from single-use plastics and adopt a more sustainable mailing solution, “Whilst polywrap is still widely used for its lightweight, strong and weather-resistant properties”, the director explains, “paper wrap can be sustainably sourced and easily recycled after use”.
Furthermore, paper mail wraps also qualify for postage discounts, as barcodes can be easily read—unlike starch-based wraps with their opaque finish—helping customers to maximise their postage savings.
Finding the right adhesive for paper wrapping
Paper wrapping, with its ability to include thicker and more numerous inserts, demands a strong adhesive that can cope with additional weight and movement.
As a result, the Birmingham mailing house wanted to find an adhesive that could meet these demands. “We successfully trialled Beardow Adams’ BAM 2211 grade and have been using it on our paper wrap line ever since. It works extremely well for different pack sizes, as well as at different line speeds.” In addition, the director says, “The adhesive runs incredibly cleanly, so much so that we’ve had limited pop opens or downtime due to stoppages.”
Additionally, the mailing house has benefited from the adhesive’s high mileage, which has significantly reduced glue consumption.
Importantly, the part bio-based adhesive is formulated using a high percentage of raw materials from plants and forestry materials, making it the perfect choice for green applications such as paper wrapping.
Bonding sustainability with performance
The mailing house’s experience of using BAM 2211 highlights the value of using a tried and tested adhesive for paper mail wrapping applications. The company emphasises its high strength, clean running, and the benefit of using a bio-based glue for an eco-focused solution.
If you would like further information about BAM 2211, please get in touch by sending an email to: marketing@beardowadams.com or fill in this enquiry form.