What’s Cooking in Your Starch Kitchen?

by | Nov 19, 2014 | Business

Did you know that starch is a very important part of the entire corrugating industry process? The quality and bonding properties of starch-based adhesives have a direct effect on the final quality of the corrugated board produced. Choosing the right starch and mixing it to the correct viscosity is therefore critical.

Starch-based adhesives are popular for many reasons, including:

* Readily available
* Easy to apply
* Inexpensive
* Excellent heat resistance
* Slow curing – allows plenty of assembly time
* Insoluble in fats and oils
* Good adhesion to cellulose and many other porous substances
* Non-toxic
* Biodegradable

corrugated manufacturers strive to optimize their adhesive formulations to ensure the highest possible level of bonding and achieve better machine speeds with less waste. To this end, many corrugators have their own on-site starch kitchen, giving them complete control over the recipe and preparation.

Benefits of Using An On-Site Starch Kitchen
The mixing of starch and water is a vital part of the process, as it is imperative that the viscosity is correct. If the starch adhesive is too thin or too thick, it will make the corrugated cardboard either too dry or too wet. High viscosity (thick) adhesive can also affect the overall performance of the machinery.

During the glue production process, the high-speed shearing system makes the agitation more intense. Special blades, which are designed to provide consistent agitation to ensure better glue stability, break down the starch molecules to make the glue much smoother and less granular. This means it is able to penetrate the paper more easily, providing a better bond.

The entire process is automated, meaning every batch of glue is made to exactly the same consistency and viscosity. Most starch kitchens can produce around 3500 kilograms of adhesive every hour, which makes them ideal for use in the high-speed corrugation industry.

Environmental Concerns
Many cities, counties, and municipalities have heightened their compliance regulations, concerning the discharging of wastewater from a corrugated facility. This has forced many plants to re-use this wastewater in their starch adhesive. This is a trend in the corrugated industry, and many companies have already implemented a Zero Discharge policy at their corrugation plants.

Looking For Sustainable Starch Mixing Systems?
RapidBond offers Flexamix – the only truly sustainable starch mixing system in North America. Go to website to find out more.

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