Even the adhesive industry cannot shield itself from the forces of environmentalism and an uncertain economy.
Manufacturers' Monthly spoke to Matthew Rola-Stezycki 3M's senior product manager for Australia and New Zealand's industrial adhesives and tapes division, and he said the forces of the GFC and green trends have had lasting affects on its clientele.
"Customers are looking for more efficient solutions that will allow them to reduce overall production costs, customers are more cautious of the cost factor now then they were prior to the GFC," he said.
The green movement is slowly taking over the world; there is nowhere to hide and certainly nowhere to run.
And when it comes to the sticky business of adhesives, the type of adhesive used in manufacturing processes not only affects the quality of the end product but also the environmental footprint of the manufacturing company.
3M have recognised that environmentally friendly and cost effective adhesives are increasingly important to both their New Zealand and Australian market base, prompting them to develop a new range of low volatile organic compound (VOC) aerosol adhesives to help manufacturers reduce their overall footprint..
"One of the trends right now is for green products, we are seeing increased demand for products that are environmentally friendly," he said.
Introducing its first spray adhesive over forty years ago, 3M has continued to develop its range of industrial grade adhesives for bonding a wide range of materials, including fabric, foam, rubber, wood laminates, metal and plastics, with the latest range due out mid 2013.
Delivered in pressurised cylinders these aerosol adhesives eliminate the need for intensive spray equipment, instead offering finger-touch targeted control to ensure minimal overspray, waste and clean up.
The new range of low VOC aerosols are not only greener they are also safer to use Rola-Stezycki stated.
In particular 3M's Hi-Strenth 94 ET Cylinder Spray Adhesive is a high performance, industrial grade spray adhesive with a unique low telegraphing pebble spray pattern.
The 94 ET has an extended tack, meaning bonding can occur up to one hour after the adhesive has been sprayed and it is able to bond a range of substrates including plastics and carbon fibre.
Rola-Stezycki stated that the new 94 ET is an improved formula which combines the properties of the popular 76 and 90 adhesives currently available on the market.
It also has a higher tack for easier bonding, 3M adding that it has "more versatility in substrate bonding,such as soft foams, lighter weight materials and more porous surfaces".
Adhesive products have come a long way in recent years, especially in terms of greening and efficiency levels.
"Transforming all spray adhesives to become low VOC" is a goal 3M is working towards Rola-Stezycki said.
He added that continuing to grow environmentally friendly lines and invest in research and development were also important objectives for the company's adhesive department.
One area of opportunity identified by Rola-Stezycki was the improvement of water based adhesives especially because of their non flammable and environmentally friendly nature.
"Water based adhesives will be developed and improved to become more efficient," Rola-Stezycki said.
But 3M's adhesives do face some challenges as it forges its way ahead through the adhesive business.
Adhesives are currently confronting stiff competition from double sided tapes and mechanical solutions like screws, nails or rivets, Rola-Stezycki told Manufacturers' Monthly.
But adhesives will always of being able to efficiently bond two different substrates together without intrusion, whereas screws, nails,and rivets, while still joining materials together can cause undue stress during movement or twisting of the object, potentially damaging the two substrates.