Adhesive formulators are normally concerned with the strength of the bonds their products form, and how they perform during their lifetime. But with the focus on careful use of resources increasing, should we also be considering ways to make it easier to remove them when the products theyre used to assemble stop being useful?

Whatever materials a product is made of, including adhesives and polymers, their isolation, processing and assembly uses energy. Recycling a material from a product after its finished with can reduce this energy usage. Consequently, its important to cleanly remove adhesives before starting the recycling process.