Diversity of Packaging and Storage for Industrial Adhesives and Sealants

Choosing the appropriate packaging and maintaining optimal storage conditions guarantee the reliability and full quality of the product.

This technical guide offers insight into the precise impact of each format—from the foil pack sealant to the two-component cartridge—on the quality of your applications. Following ACROM's advice allows you to maintain your products and guarantee optimal performance during use.

From the 3g Bottle to the IBC: Packaging Overview

The choice of packaging for industrial adhesives and sealants is not a mere logistical detail: it is a technical parameter that directly impacts application precision, conservation, and your production costs.

A 3g CA GEL bottle is ideal for spot repairs, whereas a 310 ml cartridge (such as MS 43 or MS NV) meets sealing needs on construction sites. For automated lines, an IBC container of 1150 kg allows for continuous supply in mass production.

Comparison of Packaging Solutions at ACROM

The table below summarises the diversity of solutions adapted to every industrial scale:

The Golden Rules of Storage: Guaranteeing Product Shelf Life

Ensuring the correct storage of adhesives and sealants is crucial, as a poorly stored product loses its technical specifications, representing a net loss for you. The chemistry of these products reacts strongly to environmental variations.

Temperature, Humidity, and Frost: The Critical Trio

The majority of industrial products must be kept in a temperature-controlled zone to preserve their integrity:

• Controlled Temperature: Maintain your stocks between 10°C and 25°C, away from any heat source such as radiators or operating machinery. Attention: Two-component methacrylate and cyanoacrylate adhesives must be stored between +2°C and +8°C.
• Frost Protection: This point is non-negotiable for water-based adhesives (vinyl/PVA), as freezing causes irreversible separation of components.
• Humidity Control: Prioritise a dry place, as humidity can initiate the polymerisation of MS Polymer or polyurethane sealants through the packaging.
• Darkness and Airtightness: Keep products in their original boxes to protect them from UV rays and ensure open containers are sealed to block air.

Technical Protocols by Chemistry: Useful Recommendations

Expert management implies "waking up" the chemistry before application so it regains its full efficacy. Ignoring these preparation steps can lead to future delamination and a loss of reliability.

• For vinyl and solvent-based adhesives, sedimentation is inevitable over time: it is imperative to stir or agitate the can before opening.
• Regarding aerosols (type CS60), shake vigorously before use and, after use, purge the nozzle upside down until only gas escapes to prevent obstruction.
• Methacrylate adhesives (MMA) impose additional rigour: refrigerated storage (between +2°C and +8°C) is mandatory. Before use, let the adhesive return to room temperature, then purge a small amount of product without the mixer to ensure both components exit synchronously.

Focus on Two-Component and Bulk: Mixing Mastery

In the case of a two-component adhesive, the ratio between the base and the hardener is an immutable physical law: incorrect dosing prevents complete polymerisation. Packaging in cartridges (50 ml or 400 ml) with a static mixer is the safest option as it eliminates human error by mechanically forcing the correct ratio.

For 400 ml cartridges, pay particular attention to piston balancing: always extrude a little product before attaching the mixer to verify that components exit perfectly at the same time.

Managing Large Volumes

Switching to bulk (drums, IBCs) makes economic sense but multiplies operational risks:

• Dosage Precision: Using a precision scale is mandatory for manual mixing in pots.
• Homogeneity: Vigorous mechanical mixing is necessary until a perfectly uniform colour is obtained.
• Closing Discipline: Reseal containers immediately after each withdrawal to prevent ambient humidity from degrading the chemistry within minutes.

Lifecycle Management and Preserving Open Products

Applying the FIFO method (First In, First Out) guarantees your products retain 100% of their properties. The Expiry Date (DLU or Shelf Life) is a manufacturer's technical guarantee: beyond this, chemical reactivity is no longer assured.

To maximise the life of an open container, simple tricks exist:

• For an MS or silicone sealant, leave a "plug" of product protruding from the nozzle to form a natural seal.
• For a two-component adhesive, simply leave the used mixer in place; it will serve as an airtight cap until the next use.
• Finally, for solvent adhesive cans, clean the rims and add a plastic film under the lid before closing.