License-ready degradable pressure‑sensitive adhesives from renewable feedstocks
The University of Minnesota offers a license-ready technology for strong, tunable, and hydrolytically degradable pressure-sensitive adhesives made from renewable cashew-processing by-products, suitable for packaging and medical applications.
This technology involves the development of novel pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) derived from renewable resources, specifically cashew nut shell liquids. These bio-based adhesives are designed as ABA triblock copolymers with corn-derived poly(lactide) and cashew-derived lactones, offering high bio-based content (>90%) and hydrolytic degradability. The adhesives are competitive with commercial options, with applications in removable or permanent adhesives, heat-activated medical devices, and recyclable tapes. The technology addresses sustainability issues associated with fossil-based adhesives, providing scalable, environmentally friendly solutions that improve recyclability and reduce residual adhesive problems in paper recycling processes. It is currently at a stage where licensing and development for commercial use are available.
About University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota is a flagship, comprehensive public research university spanning multiple campuses, with a large research enterprise and clinical integration. Industry engages through co-located labs on the Twin Cities campuses, access to an academic health system for clinical translation, and pilot and field-testing facilities that speed scale-up. A statewide extension network and outreach centers provide real-world sites and data partnerships across Minnesota, while proximity to a dense medtech and Fortune 500 corridor enables frequent collaboration. Research is supported by competitive federal funding, including NIH, NSF, DOE, USDA, and DoD. A dedicated technology transfer office manages IP, licensing, sponsored research agreements, and startup incubation to speed commercialization.
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