| HS Code | 602679 |
| Appearance | white homogenous emulsion |
| Solid Content Percent | 50±2 |
| Viscosity Mpa S | 8000-12000 |
| Ph | 4.5-5.5 |
| Density G Cm3 | 1.05-1.10 |
| Glass Transition Temp C | 30-40 |
| Setting Speed | fast |
| Film Property | clear flexible film |
| Water Resistance | moderate |
| Bond Strength | high on paper substrates |
| Odor | low |
| Storage Life Months | 6-12 |
As an accredited PVAc Cigarette Adhesive factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | PVAc Cigarette Adhesive is packaged in 25 kg sealed plastic drums, ensuring safe, moisture-resistant delivery. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | 20′ FCL: full container load of PVAc cigarette adhesive, palletized, secured, with proper labeling and ventilation for safe transport. |
| Shipping | PVAc Cigarette Adhesive is shipped in sealed drums, totes, or IBCs to prevent leakage and contamination. Transport via road, rail, or sea in dry, ventilated conditions, avoiding extreme temperatures. Ensure proper labeling, use PPE during handling, and comply with local transportation regulations. Typically not classified as dangerous goods under normal conditions. |
| Storage | Store PVAc Cigarette Adhesive in tightly sealed original containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight, frost, and temperatures above 30°C to prevent coagulation or degradation. Keep away from ignition sources and incompatible materials. Ensure containers remain upright, protected from damage, and clearly labeled. Properly dispose of any expired or contaminated adhesive per local regulations. |
| Shelf Life | Shelf life is typically 6 months from manufacture, when stored sealed in original containers at cool, dry conditions. |
The highest-speed filter rod manufacturing environment imposes a different adhesive stress profile than any downstream packaging step. A PVAc homopolymer emulsion supplied at 50–54% solids, pH 4.0–5.5, and Brookfield RVT viscosity 2,000–3,500 mPa·s at 25 °C is pumped through a 100-mesh in-line filter to a horn nozzle on a Hauni KDF 6 or equivalent rod maker running at 500–600 m/min. The dispersed phase is stabilised by a non-ionic/anionic surfactant package and the minimum film formation temperature is held below 15 °C to prevent seam cracking on cold plug wrap. The adhesive is metered as a wet film of 4–7 g/m² onto the inner lap edge of a 26–28 mm wide plug wrap web before the wrap is folded around cellulose acetate tow. Gear-pump feed is maintained at 1.0–2.0 bar back pressure; a pressure drop across the in-line filter exceeding 0.5 bar triggers a mesh change because shear-induced grit from the recirculation loop is the primary nozzle-fouling mechanism on production-scale rod makers. Compliance criteria for this application include FDA 21 CFR 175.105 for adhesive components and voluntary migration screening under EU 10/2011 using EN 1186-1:2002 contact conditions, where total migration is expected not to exceed 10 mg/dm². The bond is formed immediately downstream under heated tongue and IR panel temperatures of 80–110 °C; seam breakage on the rod maker is monitored in-line by pneumatic pressure differential and root-cause analysis of sporadic peel defects. The terminal product is a cigarette filter rod cut to 90–120 mm lengths for tandem rod assembly.
On a Hauni MAX 70 tipping line operating at 10,000–12,000 cigarettes per minute, the PVAc adhesive is transferred by a chrome-plated steel roller to the inner side of preprinted cork-tipping paper at a wet film thickness of 0.02–0.04 mm. Formulated PVAc copolymer emulsion for this zone has a Brookfield viscosity of 2,000–4,500 mPa·s, pH 4.0–5.5, and dry solids 52–54%; the dry adhesive weight per cigarette is controlled at 1.8–2.5 mg. Compliance for tipping adhesives follows FDA 21 CFR 175.105 and, where mouth-end contact is assessed, migration testing under EU 10/2011 with ≤10 mg/dm² overall migration. The process is dominated by a dwell-time conflict: the folding drum compresses the tipping paper around the filter and cigarette rod under 0.08–0.15 MPa roller pressure at 80–110 °C, and the wet bond must develop 1.5–2.5 N/25 mm peel strength within the compression arc before the cigarette exits the drum. Published data for this specific configuration is limited, so production qualification uses a 180° peel method based on ASTM D903 at 200 mm/min and a 30-minute continuous run with hourly sampling. Viscosity above 4,500 mPa·s causes roller-to-paper film breakup and skip-gluing; viscosity below 1,800 mPa·s produces strike-through and visible cork-paper staining. The terminal product is a finished filter cigarette with the preprinted tipping paper ring bonded to the filter and tobacco rod.
A lap-seam bond on cigarette paper forms under conditions in which the adhesive must remain machineable on a Hauni Protos 2 or Protos 90C maker deck at 10,000–12,000 cigarettes per minute. The PVAc adhesive is applied through a micro-nozzle along the paper lap at a wet film weight of 1.2–2.0 g/m² onto a seam width of 1.5–2.0 mm. The emulsion solids are held at 50–54% and the viscosity at 2,500–4,000 mPa·s. Compliance is verified against FDA 21 CFR 175.105 and process controls under ISO 9001:2015. During rod formation the glued edge enters a folding tongue heated to 80–120 °C; the paper lap is compressed by the rod conveyor and cut into 90–100 mm individual cigarette rods. A process boundary is cold deck start-up: if the folding tongue is below 70 °C, the wet seam remains open and rod burst failures occur downstream on the wrap drum. The terminal product is a wrapped cigarette rod cut into individual cigarette sticks.
In hinge-lid inner frame assembly, PVAc emulsion cold-glue is stencil- or roller-applied to die-cut inner frame board at a wet film weight of 6–10 g/m². Solids are maintained at 52–56% and Brookfield viscosity at 3,000–5,000 mPa·s. The downstream production step is a high-speed blank indexer running at 150–250 packs per minute, where the adhesive is applied in a discrete pattern on the reverse side of the scored blank and immediately folded against the hinged lid inner wall. The compliance reference for the packaged article is Directive 94/62/EC Annex II, with the sum of lead, cadmium, mercury, and hexavalent chromium not exceeding 100 ppm; EU REACH SVHC communication duties also apply. The primary processing conflict is moisture-induced warping of carton board above 60% RH, which causes registration drift on the stencil roller and fibre raise at the score line. The terminal product is the hinge-lid inner frame insert inside a finished cigarette pack.
Foil-to-paper lamination for soft-cup inner bundles presents a pH compatibility requirement that is not present in paper-to-paper seams. The PVAc dispersion is gravure-applied to the paper web at a dry coat weight of 2.5–4.0 g/m², with solids 48–52% and viscosity 1,500–2,500 mPa·s. The pH is held at 4.5–5.5 to avoid aluminium oxide formation on 6.3 µm soft-temper foil at the combining nip; lower pH formulations can produce dull surface defects and lamination pinholing after embossing. The process runs on a solvent-free laminator at 150–250 m/min, with nip pressure 2–5 bar and drying tunnel temperature 70–100 °C. Compliance is verified by Directive 94/62/EC Annex II and REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, Article 33 for SVHC communication duties; no food-contact claim is required for this outer assembly, but low-odor and low-migration grades are specified due to proximity to the tobacco. The terminal product is the aluminium foil–paper inner liner blank that is pressed into the tobacco bundle cavity within soft-cup pack assemblies.
| Converting Zone | Adhesive Spread | Brookfield RVT Viscosity at 25 °C | Reference Standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filter rod plug wrap | 4–7 g/m² wet | 2,000–3,500 mPa·s | ISO 2555:2018 / FDA 21 CFR 175.105 |
| Cork tipping paper | 1.8–2.5 mg dry per cigarette | 2,000–4,500 mPa·s | ASTM D903 / EU 10/2011 |
| Cigarette paper side seam | 1.2–2.0 g/m² wet | 2,500–4,000 mPa·s | FDA 21 CFR 175.105 |
| Hinge-lid inner frame | 6–10 g/m² wet | 3,000–5,000 mPa·s | Directive 94/62/EC Annex II |
| Foil–paper inner liner | 2.5–4.0 g/m² dry | 1,500–2,500 mPa·s | Directive 94/62/EC Annex II |
| Carton side seam | 8–12 g/m² wet | 2,500–4,000 mPa·s | Directive 94/62/EC Annex II |
Straight-line folder-gluer lines running at 250–350 cartons per minute use a PVAc homopolymer cold-glue wheel for the side seam of hinged-lid cigarette cartons. The adhesive is maintained at 50–53% solids and 2,500–4,000 mPa·s viscosity and is applied at 8–12 g/m² wet film on the glue lap. The compression section runs with 2–4 bar linear clamping pressure and 0.5–1.5 s open-time-to-compression; failure to maintain this window produces edge lift at the top and bottom panel folds during automatic carton erection. The compliance framework is packaging-grade: Directive 94/62/EC Annex II, EU REACH SVHC screening, and supplier chain documentation under ISO 9001:2015. The replacement of starch with PVAc is governed by the wet tack after 0.5 s of 1.2–1.8 N/25 mm, but the lower water content also shortens clean-up time on the glue wheel; a wash-down cycle is required every 8 hours to prevent dried edge build-up. The terminal product is a folded and glued hinged-lid cigarette carton ready for automatic filling.
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Polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) cigarette adhesive is an aqueous emulsion of vinyl acetate homopolymer, colloid-stabilized with polyvinyl alcohol and preserved with a benzisothiazolinone/methylisothiazolinone package. The product is manufactured in model designations that couple nominal solids content and Brookfield viscosity; a grade identified as PVAc-45/3000 has a nominal non-volatile content of 45% by mass and a nominal viscosity of 3000 mPa·s at 25 °C, while PVAc-50/4500 denotes 50% solids and 4500 mPa·s. This numbering convention permits selection for substrate porosity and machine speed without altering the base polymer. The adhesive is intended for rotary seam wheel or nozzle application in cigarette side seam closure, filter plug wrap bonding, and tipping paper lamination on high-speed cigarette making and filter assembly equipment. The emulsion is supplied as a milky liquid with a density of 1.06–1.09 g/cm³ at 20 °C (ISO 2811) and a minimum film formation temperature between 16 °C and 20 °C (ISO 2115). Lower-temperature application may require a coalescing agent, but the cigarette making hall is typically maintained above 22 °C at 40–60% RH.
PVAc forms a flexible, low-dust film after water loss, whereas dextrin and oxidized starch films are brittle and hydrophilic. Free PVAc films plasticized for cigarette use exhibit elongation at break in the range of 100–250% when measured per ISO 527-3; dextrin films typically fail below 5%. This distinction is directly relevant to side seam fracture during packaging: a dextrin seam may crack and generate dust, while a PVAc seam deforms without fracture. EVA hot-melt adhesives are applied at 140–180 °C and set by cooling, providing immediate green strength; PVAc is applied at room temperature and requires water migration into the paper. PVAc therefore has a slower initial set but avoids melt-tank charring, thermal degradation, and the higher energy consumption of heated extrusion. The glass transition temperature of unplasticized PVAc is in the range of 28–35 °C by differential scanning calorimetry (ISO 11357-2); commercial VAE dispersions may exhibit glass transition temperatures from −10 °C to 0 °C, which explains differences in low-temperature flexibility and hot-tack behaviour. The aqueous PVAc system also has low volatile organic compound content, typically <1% by mass according to ISO 11890-2, comparable to dextrin and below solventborne alternatives.
| Property | PVAc cigarette adhesive | Dextrin/starch | EVA hot melt | VAE copolymer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Application temperature | 20–30 °C | 20–30 °C | 140–180 °C | 20–30 °C |
| Setting mechanism | Water loss and particle coalescence | Water loss | Solidification on cooling | Water loss and particle coalescence |
| Film elongation at break | 100–250% (ISO 527-3) | <5% | 300–600% | 400–800% |
| Glass transition temperature | 28–35 °C (ISO 11357-2) | Not applicable | −30 to −10 °C | −10 to 0 °C |
| Water re-emulsification after film formation | 1–2 h at 25 °C | <5 min | No re-emulsification | No re-emulsification |
| VOC content | <1% (ISO 11890-2) | <1% | <1% | <1% |
| Machine cleanup before drying | Warm water at 40 °C | Cold water | Solvent or hot-melt purge at 150–180 °C | Warm water at 40 °C |
PVAc is not a direct substitute for high-tack hot-melt adhesives when the seam must support immediate filter tipping without a heated garniture section. Its use is confined to machines with sufficient heat and airflow for water removal before cut-off.
The following release limits are applied to standard side seam grades. Batches outside these windows are not blended without a documented corrective action.
| Parameter | Method | Typical release range |
|---|---|---|
| Non-volatile content | ISO 3251, 105 °C, 3 h | 46.0–48.0% by mass |
| Brookfield viscosity | ISO 2555, spindle 4, 20 rpm, 25 °C | 2500–3500 mPa·s |
| pH | ISO 976 | 4.2–5.0 |
| Density | ISO 2811 | 1.06–1.09 g/cm³ |
| Minimum film formation temperature | ISO 2115 | 16–20 °C |
| Median particle size | ISO 13320 | 0.8–2.0 µm |
| Residual vinyl acetate monomer | ISO 13741-1 | <0.1% by mass |
| VOC content | ISO 11890-2 | <1% by mass |
The specified pH range of 4.2–5.0 (ISO 976) prevents destabilization of the polyvinyl alcohol protective colloid and limits corrosion of mild steel machine frames. When pH drifts above 5.5, microbial growth can consume preservative and generate gas; when pH drops below 3.8, viscosity may rise through acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and produce stringing on rotary applicators. Brookfield viscosity is controlled within 2500–3500 mPa·s for general cigarette papers, but low-porosity or heavy plug wraps may require a high-viscosity grade in the 4000–5000 mPa·s class. Median particle size is maintained between 0.8 µm and 2.0 µm by laser diffraction (ISO 13320). Finer particle size improves coalescence and film clarity but increases flow resistance through 150 µm in-line filters; coarser emulsions may settle and form skin on transfer rollers.
Application is made at 20–30 °C with a wet film add-on controlled gravimetrically. Rotary seam wheels with 85–90 Shore A nitrile or EPDM coverings and a gap setting of 0.10–0.15 mm are standard; nozzle systems require continuous recirculation below 500 s⁻¹ to avoid shear-induced coagulation. Rheological data generated with a controlled-stress rheometer at 25 °C show shear-thinning from 3000 mPa·s at 2.5 s⁻¹ to 200–400 mPa·s at 1000 s⁻¹. This pseudoplastic character allows clean transfer at high machine speed without stringing, while the low-shear viscosity is high enough to prevent sag on vertical seam edges before the garniture sets the paper. In filter plug wrap, the adhesive bonds porous plug wrap around cellulose acetate tow. Wet tack is less critical than penetration control; excessive adhesive wicking blocks plug wrap pores before triacetin plasticizer is applied. In tipping paper lamination, the adhesive is applied to the tipping strip and joined to the tobacco rod and filter assembly; here, low foaming and low odor are dominant requirements because the adhesive is close to the smoker end. PVAc-45/3000 is normally specified for side seam; filter plug wrap may use a lower-viscosity grade in the 2000–2500 mPa·s range to limit penetration.
Seam closure depends on an operational window between 150 °C and 230 °C at the heated garniture. Below 150 °C, residual water remains in the adhesive layer when the cigarette enters the cut-off drum; the seam reopens under the mechanical deflection of the launch hood. Above 230 °C, the paper absorbs radiant heat faster than the adhesive loses water, producing scorched seam edges and yellowing of the PVAc film. The exact temperature set point is adjusted according to machine speed: at 12,000 cigarettes/min, a seam iron set point of 170–190 °C is usually sufficient; at 20,000 cigarettes/min, the set point is raised toward 210–230 °C to compensate for reduced residence time. Operating outside this window is the primary cause of seam-related reject packs.
Add-on control during high-speed operation is equally critical. Starved seams occur when transfer wheel contact is lost due to foam; foaming is controlled by keeping agitation below 100 rpm and avoiding air entrainment in the supply drum. Excess adhesive film on the seam edge, above approximately 20% of the nominal add-on, creates visible staining and can block the cut-off knife. Transfer systems with diaphragm pumps can generate shear rates above 5000 s⁻¹ in the recirculation loop. If the emulsion is not mechanically stabilized against shear, coagulation begins as microscopic grit and blocks 100 µm nozzles. Production experience on twin-screw filter makers has shown that in-line filters with 150 µm mesh reduce nozzle blockages, but filter replacement must be scheduled before every shift. Batch-to-batch viscosity variation is held below ±10% of the target value. Exceeding this band produces visible seam width variation because the transfer wheel picks up more or less adhesive at constant gap.
After film coalescence, PVAc has limited re-dispersibility. Cleanup of dry adhesive from machine parts requires warm water above 40 °C and mild alkaline detergent; solvent cleaning is unnecessary but may be used on hardened deposits with butyl glycol ether at 10–20% concentration in water. PVAc is not suitable for submerged or continuously wet environments because the film re-emulsifies within 1–2 h of direct water contact at 25 °C. Storage should be in sealed containers at 5–35 °C. Freeze-thaw stability is absent in most homopolymer PVAc emulsions; exposure to 0 °C or below causes irreversible coagulation. Shelf life is normally 6 months from the date of manufacture when stored in unopened containers. The product is not compatible with amine-based additives, which raise pH above the stabilization range and cause immediate gelation; dilution water should have hardness below 150 ppm CaCO₃. Residual vinyl acetate monomer is maintained below 0.1% by mass (ISO 13741-1), and the product is not classified as hazardous under Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008. Compliance with RoHS Directive 2011/65/EU is applicable only to electrical and electronic equipment; for adhesive used in cigarette manufacturing, REACH Annex XVII restrictions on restricted substances are the relevant benchmark.
