H.B. Fuller Woodworking FAQs

At H.B. Fuller, we’re committed to sustainable progress through smart adhesive technologies that support circular design and responsible manufacturing. From bio-based options to formaldehyde-free chemistries, our innovations help customers lower their environmental impact without sacrificing performance.

Our bio-based adhesives, such as Rakoll® U320, are developed using sustainably sourced raw materials. These formulations are filler-free, offer excellent heat resistance, and are well-suited for chipboard, MDF, and solid wood applications.

We design adhesives that help manufacturers reduce material use, cut energy consumption, and minimize waste while delivering reliable results. Lightweight formulations and efficient application processes are at the core of our performance-driven approach.

Foamable PVAc adhesives help reduce water usage and material waste while still maintaining strong bond integrity and also enable lower production costs and improved efficiency on the production line. They also contribute to sustainability efforts in several ways:

• Reduced raw material usage: Less adhesive is needed per bond due to the expansion of the material. Foamable formulations can expand 3-5x larger than typical adhesives, which reduces the overall volume of adhesives in the production process.
• Lower Carbon Footprints: Because these adhesives use less materials, the carbon emissions associated with production, transportation and disposal are significantly reduced.
• Water-Based and Low-VOC formulation: Like conventional PVAc adhesives, foamable versions are often solvent-free and low in volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These formulations can result in better indoor air quality, safer workplaces, and compliance with environmental regulations (e.g., LEED, REACH).
• Energy Savings: Foamed adhesives often require lower application temperatures and cure faster, reducing energy use in production lines.
• Waste Reduction: The precise application reduces overspray and squeeze-out, leading to less adhesive residue on equipment, contributing to easier cleanup and less waste as week as fewer rejected products due to overapplication.

Yes. Our formaldehyde-free adhesives, including Rakoll® ECO 3ZF and GXL 3 ZF, support compliance with EU reclassification standards and help manufacturers meet low-hazard certifications. While the adhesives and sealants used may not emit large amounts of formaldehyde, any type of emission can contribute to the overall level of air toxicity, and our formaldehyde-free products aim to reduce that amount.

Using the “mass balance” approach refers to a method for accounting and tracking the flow of sustainable raw materials through the manufacturing process and ensures that a quantified amount of sustainable input is attributed to an equivalent output.

Through the mass balance approach, we incorporate bio-attributed materials into ISCC PLUS certified adhesives. This method ensures traceability, reduces reliance on fossil-based resources, and contributes to lower carbon emissions, without altering product performance.

NEP-free primers (like our Intrafol™ primer) are adhesive primers that are formulated without N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidone (NEP), a solvent historically used in industrial coatings, adhesives, and primers. These primers are gaining popularity due to health, safety, and environmental regulations, particularly in the automotive, construction, and flexible packaging industries.

H.B. Fuller’s NEP-free primers are designed to enhance adhesion for PVC, PP, and ABS foils while complying with strict industrial standards. These solvent-based primers improve 3D lamination quality, machinability, and workplace safety.