Dr Doerthe Jakobi
Research Fellow, Guenter-Koehler-Institut für Fuegetechnik und Werkstoffpruefung GmbH (ifw Jena)
Dr. Jakobi studied chemistry at the Friedrich Schiller University Jena. She received her PhD in the field of organic chemistry, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of fluorescent dyes. Following her doctoral studies, she completed a postdoctoral position in the area of bio-based material modification and polymer-analogous chemistry. In 2021, she joined the ifw Jena as Head of the Adhesives Department.
Adhesive Bonding as an Enabler for Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing
Adhesive bonding technology plays a central role in advancing sustainable design and manufacturing. Research in this area focuses on developing bonding solutions that reduce environmental impact, optimize material use, and maintain high mechanical performance and long-term durability. The aim is to lower CO₂ emissions, energy demand, and raw material consumption while ensuring reliable structural performance. Sustainability in adhesive technology is therefore a key contributor to greener and more efficient industrial applications.
In this work, several bio-based solutions in adhesive bonding were analyzed and discussed. This includes the use of recycled and bio-based substrates, their compatibility with other materials, the application of bio-based adhesives, and necessary surface treatment steps. The investigations show that bio-based fillers can modify the microstructure of the substrates. Increasing filler content can raise surface roughness, enhancing mechanical interlocking with the adhesive, while also influencing surface energy and wettability. Recycled polymer content leads to measurable but generally minor changes in material properties. Overall, the investigated recycled polymers exhibit properties comparable to virgin materials, making them suitable for structural adhesive bonding.
The study further evaluates partially and fully bio-based adhesive systems. Partially bio-based adhesives demonstrate mechanical and thermal properties comparable to conventional fossil-based systems, whereas fully bio-based formulations may exhibit increased moisture sensitivity.
Overall, the results demonstrate that adhesive bonding enables the integration of bio-based and recycled polymers into lightweight structures. By combining appropriate material selection, targeted surface modification, and optimized bonding processes, sustainable materials can be successfully applied in industrial manufacturing.
Breakout Session XI – Research Advances in Adhesive Science & Processing – 17 September 2026 – 16:00 – 16:30 – Room Churchill – GF