Custom Manufacturing

Custom Manufacturing

AR takes the lead on every step of your development project; from prototyping and scale-up to validation and commercial launch.  With 15 coating lines in our state-of-the-art U.S. and European manufacturing facilities, we can select from a variety of roll and die coating techniques to coat and cure aqueous, solvent and 100% solids coatings.

Our process development approach includes:

  • Optimum parameter selection through design of experiments (DOE) activities.
  • Alignment of product specifications & process capabilities.
  • Documented process validation to assure a state-of-control.
  • Disciplined Stage Gate process to manage progress against strict timelines.
  • On-going monitoring of our commercial manufacturing processes to maintain a continuous state-of-control and compliance.

Manufacturing Capabilities

Material Expertise

Based on more than six decades of experience, our scientists and product development engineers are experts in the selection and application of related raw materials and components.  We work closely with our customers during a project’s initiation phase to identify and qualify the ideal component materials.

AR also develops custom release liners to meet specific adhesive and processing requirements. Our high-quality release liners are FDA compliant and are available in a variety of substrates with tailored release levels. AR’s release liner capabilities include:

  • Single- or double-coated liner systems
  • Polyester films
  • Polyethylene films
  • Papers
  • Poly-coated papers
  • Clean room processing

Polymer Synthesis

Polymer formulation and synthesis is a core capability at Adhesives Research. This capability provides us the flexibility to create new adhesives as performance needs evolve or more specific functional properties are needed. When an existing adhesive cannot meet the need of an application, our synthesis team will create one that meets your specific requirements.

Mixing & Compounding

AR compounds adhesives and polymers in segregated facilities. We produce batches sizes ranging from 5 to 600 gallons, comprised of a wide variety of potential materials, including:

  • PIBs
  • Acrylic copolymers
  • Excipients
  • Conductive dispersions
  • GRAS & compendial monograph components
  • Silicone resins
  • Block copolymers
  • Rubber/resin blends
  • Polymers for dissolvable films

Coating & Drying

Our state-of-the-art U.S. and European manufacturing facilities feature 15 coating lines, some of which are in a clean environment.  The depth of our coating technology provides a variety of roll and die coating techniques for casting and curing aqueous, solvent and 100% solids coatings in widths up to 60”.

Types of Coatings

  • Solvent-based systems
  • Water-based systems
  • Hotmelt systems
  • 100% solids
  • Dissolvable films

Coating Techniques

  • Reverse roll
  • Knife-over-roll
  • Slot die technology
  • Gravure

Drying/Curing Techniques

  • Convective heat (impinged air)
  • Infrared with applications
  • Ultra-violet

Slitting & Packaging

Multiple slitting techniques are utilized to finish master rolls to each customer’s product specification.  An isolated environment is utilized for slitting, labelling and packaging finished rolls ranging in widths from 60” to less than 1”.

Testing of Raw Materials, Work-in-Progress and Finished Roll Goods

Our on-site quality assurance, quality control and analytical laboratories ensure product quality at multiple stages during the manufacturing process.  Incoming raw materials and components are evaluated when received and are completely traceable at each stage.

Work-in-progress is evaluated, tested, and released after every step of our manufacturing process. Finished roll goods are tested prior to release to assure that all products meet or exceed our customers’ expectations and specifications.  Certified test reports (CTRs) or certificates of analysis (CoAs) may be provided upon request.

Let’s Discuss Your Requirements