By Khirtini K Kumaran

Manufacturing Sdn Bhd ( Techbond ) is a developer and manufacturer of industrial adhesives , with business operations and manufacturing in Malaysia and Vietnam , serving markets in Asia , Africa and the Middle East .

Their adhesive products are used for a variety of applications such as woodworking , building and construction , automotive , paper and packaging , personal care , cigarette and mattress .

Techbond Managing Director Lee Seng Thye highlighted that Techbond ’ s strength was with its focus on research and development ( R & D ).

Among the works done in the R & D centre are customising adhesives ,

( Top ) Techbond Managing Director , Lee Seng Thye . developing new ranges of adhesives , improving and enhancing product quality performance , developing proprietary formulations , carrying out product differentiation and adapting existing formulations to create new products in a cost-effective and timely manner .

Polyol technology

Techbond is collaborating with the Malaysian Palm Oil Board ( MPob ) in R & D and commercialisation of the palm-based polyol technology and signed a memorandum of agreement ( MoU ) in February this year .

Lee explained the joint development involved two stages . The first being the R & D to convert the palm oil into polyol , and the next step is making the adhesive , testing and commercialisation of the polyol-based polyurethane ( PU ) glue .

This is where Techbond comes into play .

“ We will take the polyol to be used as one of the components in polyurethane ( PU ) adhesive to replacing formaldehyde-based adhesives ,” said Lee , adding that they are also testing the effectiveness of the glue in furniture-making .

“ We also test the effectiveness of the PU adhesive with various wood as different species of wood requires different viscosity .”

Thus , Techbond is working with multiple clients in the wood industry to test the effectiveness of the adhesive with different types of wood .

According to Lee , the primary tests has been promising .

“ Tests have shown that the polyol PU glue has high water-resistance and can withstand boiling up to six hours .”

The project is almost completed and awaiting final test results and certification from Forest Research Institute Malaysia ( FRIM ).

Green glue

Lee explained that commonly crude oil was used in making PU glues and contained formaldehyde .

“ There is a high demand for formaldehyde-free adhesive , and at the moment the only formaldehyde-free glue is petroleum-based .

“ Nobody explored the use of palm oil polyol in this adhesive industry , and we hope this could potentially be an alternative formaldehyde-free adhesive in the market ,” he shared , noting that Malaysia has abundant raw material supply .

Techbond is exporting to more than 10 countries , and Lee is confident with the success of the palm-based polyol adhesive , they will be able to ship to more countries .

“ Many countries are emphasising on formaldehyde-free glue . So , with the palm-based polyol adhesive , we will be able to promote and export the glue to new markets .”

Upon receiving the final tests and certifications , Techbond will be opening a new manufacturing factory solely for this special adhesive for mass production .

“ The palm-based polyol adhesive will most likely hit the markets next year ,” he shared .

Adhesive industry

Lee noted when it came to the adhesive industry , there was still a lot of room for improvements and growth .

“ It may seem easy , but it is not . Glue and adhesive have different applications , water and heat resistance as well as grades .

“ Which is why we have many chemists working in our R & D centre to improve and adapt new and existing formulation .” — @ Forest