Adhesives play a crucial role in the sanitary products industry, from bonding layers in pads, panty liners, and diapers to secure elastic attachments. But using the wrong adhesive can lead to skin irritation, poor performance, or negative regulatory outcomes. This article reviews the types of adhesives suitable for sanitary products, the safety and performance criteria, and guidance on selecting the right adhesive — including a brief mention of HUACHUN as a reputable supplier.
Before discussing adhesive types, it is essential to understand the criteria that an adhesive must meet to be considered safe and suitable for sanitary products:
| Criterion | Importance | Typical Standard / Indicator |
|---|---|---|
| Biocompatibility / Skin Safety | Direct contact with skin demands non-toxic, non-sensitizing formulations | ISO 10993 series, dermatological tests |
| Low Volatile Organics | Minimize off-gassing or odor that may cause irritation | Low VOC content, emissions testing |
| Good Adhesion to Nonwoven and Film | Must bond to layers such as nonwoven fabrics, absorbent cores, breathable films | Peel strength, shear strength tests |
| Flexible and Breathable | Adhesive must flex with movement and not block vapor transmission | Elastomeric adhesives, low modulus formulations |
| Thermal Stability & Processability | Must survive lamination, extrusion, or hot melt processing without degradation | Suitable melt temperature window, aging stability |
| Regulatory Compliance | Must comply with relevant regional and product safety standards | FDA, REACH, etc. |
Meeting all these requirements is nontrivial, and many adhesives that work well in general packaging are unsuitable for direct or near-skin applications.
Below are common adhesive types used in the sanitary hygiene sector, along with their pros and cons.
Hot melt adhesives are widely used in sanitary product manufacture. They are applied in molten form and solidify quickly on cooling. Within HMAs, specific subtypes can be chosen to meet skin safety and performance needs.
Polyolefin hot melts (PO) — Good adhesion, moderate flexibility, fairly low polarity, often used for bonding nonwoven layers.
PA (Polyamide) hot melts — Higher temperature resistance and stronger bonds, but may be stiffer and need careful selection.
APAO / SA (Amorphous Polyalphaolefin / Styrene-Acrylate blends) — Offer flexibility and low modulus; useful for stretchable zones or elastic attachment.
Hybrid hot melts — Combining favorable properties (e.g. PO + APAO) to achieve both adhesion and softness.
Hot melts designed for hygiene / sanitary products are formulated for low VOCs, safe additives, and appropriate melting ranges. For instance, HUACHUN offers hot melt adhesives specifically labeled for “Hygiene & personal care product” applications on its product lines.
Advantages of hot melts include rapid set time, no solvent handling, and ease of integration into continuous production lines.
PSAs remain tacky at room temperature and bond under light pressure. In sanitary products, PSAs are often used in release liners, repositionable zones, or tabs.
Pros:
Instant adhesion without heat
Good peel behavior
Flexible choice of tack levels
Cons:
May require careful formulation to avoid migration or residue
Skin contact zones may be restricted
When used in limited, controlled areas or covered by nonwoven liners, PSAs can be safe and functional.
These adhesives use water as a solvent or carrier and dry or cure by evaporation. They often contain polymers like polyvinyl acetate (PVAc), acrylics, urethanes, or styrene-acrylic copolymers.
Pros:
Low VOC emissions
Good compatibility with many substrates
Cons:
Slower drying or curing compared to hot melts
Potential for residual moisture
May require additives (emulsifiers, stabilizers) that must be carefully vetted for biocompatibility
These are less commonly used in sanitary products because residual solvents can pose a risk of irritation or regulatory concern. If used, they must have extremely low residual solvents and high purity.
These adhesives cure under UV or electron beam exposure. Their potential for very low migration and fast curing is attractive. However, they must be fully formulated to ensure no unreacted residual monomers that can cause irritation.
To ensure safe and effective adhesive selection for sanitary products, the following guidelines are recommended:
Test for skin irritation and sensitization. Conduct dermal patch tests and cytotoxicity tests to verify safety in contact with skin.
Minimize additive risk. Use adhesives free from harsh stabilizers, plasticizers, or residual catalysts that can cause irritation.
Evaluate performance under real use. Test adhesion after exposure to body temperature, moisture, movement, and aging.
Control migration. Ensure adhesive components won’t migrate into absorbent core or leak to skin-facing surfaces.
Conduct VOC / emissions testing. Ensure off-gassing is minimal and acceptable for skin-contact products.
Maintain flexibility and breathability. Adhesive layers should not stiffen or block vapor flow.
Use hygiene-specific grades. Prefer adhesives labeled or certified for hygiene / personal care applications to reduce development risk.
Ensure process compatibility. Adhesive must suit the line speed, temperature, and lamination process used in manufacturing.
When working with hot melt adhesives, one should choose formulations with appropriate melt points, tack profiles, and softness. Many hygiene applications benefit from “low temperature” or “soft-set” hot melts that maintain flexibility without harsh stiffness.
In the field of hygiene adhesives, HUACHUN (Jiangmen Huachun High Tech Materials Co., Ltd.) is a notable brand. Its website lists a dedicated category for “Hygiene & Personal Care Product Hot Melt Block,” indicating a focus on adhesives suitable for sanitary and personal care applications. The company offers hot melt glue sticks, blocks, and pellets formulated for environmentally friendly and stable performance. With over two decades of experience and a production capacity catering to industrial demand, HUACHUN is a viable option for manufacturers seeking hygiene-grade adhesives.
When evaluating suppliers, it's wise to request sample grades intended for sanitary use, review safety data sheets, and conduct independent testing for migration, adhesion, and biocompatibility.
Selecting an adhesive for sanitary products requires balancing skin safety, performance, flexibility, and regulatory compliance. Hot melt adhesives (especially specially formulated PO, APAO, or hybrid types) are often preferred due to fast setting and solvent-free nature. PSAs, water-based adhesives, or UV-curable options may find roles in specific parts of a product, but only if rigorously tested. Always prioritize adhesives designed for hygiene use and validate with real-world testing. Among suppliers, HUACHUN stands out as a manufacturer offering hygiene-oriented hot melt solutions.
