PROTEIN GLUE IN

THE PACKAGING
INDUSTRY

June 2017 L.D. Davis Industries

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
Table of Contents

Topic Page
What is Protein Glue?.....................................................................................................................2

The Role of Gelatin in Protein Glue Manufacturing…………………………………………………….………3

Physical Properties of Gelatin…………………………..……………………………………………………3
Sourcing Gelatin as a Raw Material………………………………………………………………………..4

Protein Glue Manufacturing Process…………………………………………………………………………………4

Protein Glues Used for Rigid Box Manufacturing………………………………………………………………..4

Rigid Box Equipment and Protein Glue……………………………..…………………………………….4

Mystery Uncovered: Color Variations in Protein Glue………………………………………………………….5

Protein Glue Tips & Tricks…………………………………………………………………………………………………6

The Easiest Way to Accurately Measure Solids in Protein Glue………………………………..6
How to Use a Mil Depth Gauge for Protein Glue Application…………………………………….6
Optimal Running Temperature of Protein Glue……………………………….……………………….7
Treatment for Difficult Substrates: Corona Treatment……………………………………………..8
Protein Glue Tips for Summertime……………………………………………………………….…………9

How Much Does Protein Glue Cost for Box Makers?.............................................................9-10

Troubleshoot Guide for L.D. Davis Industries Protein Glues……………………………………………..11

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
 2

At L.D. Davis Industries, we believe our customers should have access to the best quality
protein, hot melt and water-based glues. Over the past several years, we have innovated to
keep up with our customers’ wants and needs.
We are North America’s premier and largest protein glue compounder and one of the top
glue suppliers in the country. It is our mission to “build life-long bonds”, with our customers,
vendors and our employees.
One of the major industries that we work in is packaging. We serve some of the largest
packaging manufacturers in the United States and have long standing relationships with
several of the most well-known packaging equipment manufacturers.
This e-Book is meant to serve as a helpful resource to those in the packaging and rigid box
industry that use protein glue and want to learn more about it.

What is Protein Glue?

Let’s start off with the basics by answering the question: what is protein glue?

Protein glues are a type of glue also referred to as animal glue or hide glue. Protein glues are
also sometimes called “cake glue” due to its appearance in 9-10 lb. “cakes” after
production.

Protein glue is more accurately called

protein-based gelatin glue. This term
originates from the source of
the gelatin used to manufacture this glue,
which is typically protein gelatin extracted
from the hides and bones of pigs and
cattle. Animal gelatin protein is processed
into different grades of quality for use in
food, pharmaceutical and industrial
products. The gelatin used in protein glue
is industrial grade and usually referred to
as technical gelatin.

Protein glue is completely non-toxic, eco-

friendly and biodegradable. In addition to the gelatin, the other common raw materials in
protein adhesive include water, Epsom salts, corn sugar, and glycerin.

Protein glues are useful in a wide variety of applications, but are most commonly used
in bookbinding, box making and laminating applications.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
 3

The Role of Gelatin in Protein Glue Manufacturing

Gelatin plays an extremely important role in the manufacturing of protein glues. Since the
1970’s, L.D. Davis replaced the primary ingredient, extracted collagen from hides of bovine
and porcine, with recycled pharmaceutical and nutritional gelatin in the form of soft gel
netting and ground hard cap.

Pharmaceutical and nutritional encapsulating companies normally dispose of their excess or

left over gelatin. We are able to utilize these materials, and recycle the gelatin for use in our
protein glue products. It’s a “win-win” for everyone: the nutritional company eliminates a
waste stream and L.D. Davis gains a raw material source for our protein glue. In addition, we
help the environment through recycling a gelatin material that might normally end up in a
landfill.

Soft gel netting is what’s left over from the production of vitamin E and nutrition gel
capsules. While ground hard cap is from excess pharmaceutical capsules.

The gelatin we use is inspected for quality as part of our implemented 12-point quality
control system for all incoming raw materials and outgoing finished products. In our lab, we
test for color, viscosity and odor before use.

Physical Properties of Gelatin

Gelatin is a protein derived by from a parent protein, collagen. In an aqueous solution it is a

hydrophilic colloid. It is almost tasteless, odorless, vitreous, brittle solid and usually faintly
yellow in color.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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Gelatin is graded according to its strength, called its ‘bloom’. The higher the bloom numbers,
the higher the grade.

Sourcing Gelatin as a Raw Material

We have amazing, long-standing relationships with our raw material providers. We have
been in business for nine decades and constantly source materials so we can ensure that
our customers always get the protein glue products they need, when they need them.

Protein Glue Manufacturing Process

Once the raw materials are obtained, screened for quality and sorted, they are poured into a large
mixing kettle at our adhesive manufacturing plant in Monroe, NC. They are heated up and mixed
together and once the solution is ready, the hot, liquid mixture is poured into large trays so the glue
can cool overnight into cake form. The following day, the glue manufacturing process continues by
removing the protein glue cakes from the
trays by flipping them over. This process
produces glue cakes of about 9-10 lbs. each
that are packed six to a carton then sold in
skid quantity.

Quality control samples are taken of each

batch of protein glue produced and stored in
our lab for future use. This way if a customer
runs into an application issue down the line,
we can pull the sample by lot number and
determine how to find a solution for them.

Protein Glues Used for Rigid Box Manufacturing

Rigid boxes, such as cigar, jewelry, candy or perfume boxes are made by laminating a variety of
different substrates to a solid chipboard material. The substrates can be paper, leather, foil, fabric,
and others.
Not only does our protein glue successfully laminate almost any kind of wrap material to chipboard
to make boxes, it is also totally recyclable, eco-friendly, and biodegradable. It forms an excellent
bond and also makes the box recyclable once it is no longer in use.
Rigid Box Equipment and Protein Glue
While there are many types of equipment used for rigid box manufacturing, Emmeci machines are
the standard in the industry. The Emmeci lamination machine works excellently with protein glue to
laminate substrates to chip board to begin rigid box construction.
On box making machines, like the Emmeci machines, the optimal running temperature of protein
glue is between 140°F (60°C) and 150°F (66°C).

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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Mystery Uncovered: Color Variations in Protein Glue

If you have used protein glue, chances are you have pondered this question: Why are there
color variations in my glue? We will start off by confirming that color variations in glue are
perfectly normal, so no need to worry!

The color variation in glue batches is attributed to the natural raw protein glue used in the
manufacturing process.
When natural products are used, there is always a chance that there will be slight color
variances. We also have proprietary formulas that work with high quality gelatin materials to
form the viscosity and grams strength that we are looking for in each performing cake glue
product.
Normally, if the gram is higher, the glue will move towards a whiter shade. If the gram
strength is lower, the color will be more of a tan or straw shade. For our clear cake glues, the
shade difference in the final cake may vary from straw color to amber.
A shade variation will not have an impact on the performance of your protein glue.

Our final product goes through a 16 step quality control testing process.

Besides the raw protein glue, other raw materials used in the manufacturing process
are gelatin, sugars, Epsom salt, water and glycerin.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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Protein Glue Tips & Tricks

These tips and tricks will help to make sure you get the most out of your protein glue.
The Easiest Way to Accurately Measure Solids in Protein Glue
We get this question very often!

Many of our customers and prospects wonder: what’s the easiest way to accurately measure
solids in their glue? A refractometer is a simple, and inexpensive way to do this. Using this
tool with ensure that you are getting the most out of your glue – and the most for your
money.

A refractometer is a simple device to

operate. To use, take your melted protein
glue and place a small sample onto the
surface of the refractometer prism (glass).
You then compress the glue in the lid of
prism.

By looking through the device – similar to

how you would look through a telescope -
you will be able take a reading of the
percentage of solids in your glue sample.
Image Source: Bellingham + Stanley This is the brix solids of glue.

If you notice that the solids are too high, you can add water to your glue mixture. If you
notice that the solids are too low, you may have added too much water. You can correct this
by adding fresh glue to your mixture.

Remember to clean the refractometer after use. You can do this by using warm water to
remove the glue from the prism.

For more information on refractometers visit Bellingham + Stanley. The device that we use
in our lab is the Bellingham + Stanley Eclipse 45-05.

How to Use a Mil Depth Gauge for Protein Glue Application

One of the best ways to get the most out of your glue is to make sure that you are applying
the appropriate amount to your substrates. What is the best way to do that? One of the
easiest ways is by using a MIL depth gauge (a.k.a. wet film gauge).
Using the MIL depth gauge on your roller allows you to measure how much glue is applied.
The notches on the tool measure the thickness of the glue on the roller.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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By applying the appropriate amount of glue to your substrates, you can truly get the most out
of your adhesive order, avoid warping, and save money.
Optimal Running Temperature of Protein Glue
You would be surprised how many equipment, and application issues could be resolved
simply by adjusting the running temperature of your protein glue.

A question that our lab gets very often from our customers and prospects is in regards to the
best temperature to run our protein glues to ensure that their operation runs smoothly and
their equipment stays clean.

The optimal running temperature for protein glue is between 140°F (60°C) and 150°F
(66°C).
When the glue is below the optimal running temperature, it will set too quickly. This could
lead to build-up on equipment, and require a lot of cleaning. Running the glue too hot is not
good as well. This could cause it to be open much too long and is common cause of turn-ins
popping up. When the glue runs at the optimal temperature, the substrate will be covered
smoothly without any issue.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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Running your cake glue at the optimal running temperature will really help to get the most
out of your glue and production.

Treatment for Difficult Substrates: Corona Treatment

If you work in the rigid packaging industry, you know how important it is for your glue and
substrates to work seamlessly together. Most times, this is the case. But, let’s say you’re
working with a new client that has a very specific package design in mind and their
substrates are a lot tougher to work with (not too hard to believe, right?).
We’ve had a number of prospects and customers contact our lab for a glue recommendation
in this situation. Inherently, some substrates are difficult to bond like: Mylar, foil, nylon,
matte scuff-resistant, matte OPP, recycled paper and other soft touch film. Most of the time,
our lab is able to test the substrates and tweak the glue formula to perfectly bond with the
desired substrate.
We actually manufactured a line of glues specifically for hard-to-bond substrates
called Primo Adhesives. Of course, there are those few substrates that, no matter how many
times the formula is adjusted, the glue just doesn’t seem to adhere.
One of our customers recently found themselves in this situation. The reason they were
having adhesion issues was due to the dyne level in the paper they were using for their box
wrap.
For animal glue, the optimal paper dyne
level is 45 or above. This means the
substrate surface film will
successfully accept animal glue. If the
dyne level is below this level, the paper
may not accept the glue and you will run
into issues with adhesion. Our lab has the
capability to run dyne level tests on
sample substrates. As you can see in the
image to the left using Dyne Level Pens,
this glossy substrate is closer to a 30 dyne
level because the surface accepted the
ink (the other dyne levels stayed wet). This
means that the substrate will not accept
animal glue.
One way to avoid this issue is to “block out” the parts of the wrap that will need to accept
glue. This will allow for the remainder of the substrate to have the desired finish and the
glued portion to have a higher dyne level that will accept protein glue. If is not possible to
“block out” the glued portion of the wrap, our lab recommends a Corona Treatment of the
paper.
Corona Treatment

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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According to Wikipedia, “Corona treatment is a surface modification technique that uses a

low temperature corona discharge plasma to impart changes in the properties of a surface”.
The Corona treatment won’t change the look of the substrate, but will make it more
receptive to glue. “The material being treated is exposed to an electrical discharge, or
“corona.” Oxygen molecules within the discharge area break into their atomic form and are
free to bond to the ends of the molecules in the material being treated, resulting in a
chemically activated surface” (Paper Impact). Corona Treatments are not permanent, and if
the substrates are not used right away they may need to be treated again.
So, if you are working with very difficult substrates do not fear! A Corona Treatment may be a
great solution for you.
Protein Glue Tips for Summertime
When temperatures begin to rise and the start of summer grows nearer, it’s important to
make sure that your protein glues (A.K.A. hide glue, animal glue) are performing at their
best. Here are a few tips to make sure you don’t run into any sticky situations this summer.

How Much Does Protein Glue Cost for Box Makers?

One of the first questions potential customers want to know when they call our company is: How
much does your protein glue cost? When box makers consider switching glue vendors, cost is a top
concern. Although this is a very difficult question to answer, I will try my best to explain some protein
glue cost drivers.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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Simply put, you are shopping for a protein glue that will work properly without significantly driving up
your costs. This sounds very straightforward but, believe it or not, there are many details we review in
order to recommend the right protein glue. Each of these details may adjust the formula, and drive
the protein glue cost (up or down).
What are the details of your application?
One factor that goes into recommending the
right protein glue is your application. What
substrates are you working with? Does your
glue need to be freezer grade? Does it need
to be FDA approved for direct or indirect
food contact? Does it need to be tinted a
certain color? Each of these details
may influence the protein glue cost because
the recommendation is based on your
specific application. There are hundreds of
formulations of protein glues. Our technical
team reviews each inquiry to recommend
the best glue for your specific application.
Sometimes this includes having our
technical team test your substrates in our
lab.
How are you applying the protein glue?
Another detail to consider is what equipment, if any, you are using to apply the protein glue. Some
customers apply glue by hand or brush which requires a glue with a longer open-time. Others use
equipment to apply their glue.
There are a number of machines used in the box making industry. For this reason the protein glues
that we recommend for one machine may vary from another. Each glue is formulated for the
application and the equipment that the glue will run on.
How much protein glue will you order?
The final cost driver is order volume. Like many industries, we are able to lower our manufacturing
costs when we are making larger batches of protein glue. For this reason, we can provide more
competitive pricing for orders that are a truckload or more.
How much does protein glue cost for box makers?
As you can see, the question “how much does protein glue cost?” is not very easy to answer. While
there is not a simple answer, I hope this has helped you understand the different factors that
influence protein glue cost. While we cannot give an exact cost per pound for every glue formation
(there are hundreds), here is where pricing will usually start for our line of protein glues:
Protein glue pricing starts at about $.68 per pound.
Remember, cost is important but so is quality. The cheapest glue is not always going to offer the best
performance.

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
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Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.
 12

For more information on the topics covered in this eBook contact us at:
1-800-883-6199 | info@lddavis.com

Or visit us at:
www.lddavis.com

Protein Glue in the Packaging Industry © 2017 L.D. Davis Industries. All rights reserved.