Mary Aiken-Wood
Account Manager, UK and Ireland, Bjørn Thorsen
After obtaining a master’s in chemistry degree from the University of York, with a focus on green chemistry, Mary is passionate about bridging the gap between R&D and real-life customer problems. After starting her career as a formulation chemist, she is now working as an Account Manager at Bjørn Thorsen and developing her knowledge within the adhesives sector, supporting Bjørn Thorsen in their distribution of hot melt, solvent and water-based adhesives.
Next generation TPU Adhesive Solutions: Advancing Toward Sustainable Innovation
Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) adhesives are undergoing a significant transformation, driven by converging pressures: tightening VOC and emissions regulations, industrial energy reduction targets, and the growing demand for measurable sustainability credentials across the bonding value chain.
This presentation reviews the latest innovations in TPU adhesive technology from both a raw material and formulation perspective. Drawing on our distribution partnership with Lubrizol and our own adhesive development capabilities, we will present an integrated view of where TPU adhesive chemistry is heading.
The first focus is on bio-based Pearlbond ECO TPU grades and their impact on carbon footprint. We will discuss how the incorporation of renewable building blocks into TPU polymer architecture enables meaningful reductions in CO₂ equivalent emissions across the product lifecycle — without compromising adhesion performance, thermal resistance, or processing characteristics.
The second area addresses advances in activation temperature. New TPU formulations with lower softening and activation profiles enable bonding at reduced temperatures, opening new opportunities for heat-sensitive substrates — particularly relevant in textile lamination, footwear, and lightweight composite assembly — while delivering measurable energy savings in industrial processes.
Finally, we will present water-based polyurethane dispersion systems developed in-house as functional replacements for solvent-borne TPU adhesives. These aqueous dispersions address VOC reduction requirements and occupational health constraints while achieving competitive open time, bonding strength, and compatibility with existing industrial application equipment.
Together, these three axes – greener chemistry, process efficiency, and solvent-free technology – define BT’s approach to reinventing TPU adhesive solutions for a more sustainable industrial future.
Co-author(s):
Karine Chomet
Breakout Session XVI – Sustainable & High-Performance Hotmelt Solutions – 18 September 2026 – 12:30 – 13:00 – Room Mountbatten – F6