Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA October 2007 Page 1 of 5

Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA

Waterborne Laminating Adhesive for PLA containing Laminations

Description

Robond PLA-W B is a two-part, water dilutable, laminating adhesive designed for dry bond laminating of 

Polylactic Acid (PLA) films to themselves, to Corona treated or untreated PET, Corona treated or untreated 

nylon, treated LDPE and LLDPE, and cellulosic substrates. CR W B-PLA must be used at the recommended 

mix ratio to achieve desired properties. 

Use of Robond PLA-WB/CR W B-PLA yields high initial bond and cures to give laminations with good clarity 

and thermal stability.

Typical Properties*

Adhesive Coreactant

Robond PLA-WB CR WB-PLA

Solids 45% 61%

Viscosity 45-85 cps 500 – 5,000 cps

Weight per gallon 8.75 lb 9.0 lb

pH 7.0 3.5

Mix Ratio 100 pbw 11.5 pbw

Shelf Life** 270 days  180 days** **

(unopened containers) From date of manufacture

Special Handling Store at 50 - 100°F Store at 50 -100°F

VOC*** -0- -0-

*These items are provided for general information only. They are approximate values and are not considered 

part of a product specification.

**Store in a tightly closed container in a cool, dry place.

***Per EPA-450/3-84-019

****Mix well before using

Slitting can typically be done in as little as 5 minutes following lamination. 

Full properties are typically achieved in 5 to 7 days at 70°F.

Robond PLA-W B may react or interact with other components of laminations. Retained volatiles (solvents or 

water), slip additives, antiblock agents, and inks are some of the components that may cause property 

changes of the laminated structure. If Robond PLA-W B is used to laminate PLA film to high slip films (COF < 

0.2) or with high slip LDPE, then the user must verify that potential film property changes due to the 

lamination process and materials are acceptable for the end use performance requirement.

Robond PLA-WB/CR W B-PLA April 2012 Page 1 of 5

PACKAGING AND

CONVERTING
Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA October 2007 Page 2 of 5

Mixing

MIX WELL BEFORE USING.

Dilution to the proper application solids is recommended for Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA. For solids 

reduction, it is recommended to dilute the adhesive/coreactant mix with deionized water for a range of 40-

45% solids. If further solids reduction can be obtained below 40% with water but further dilution below 

35% solids will cause mechanical stability problems. Alcohol/water dilution is not typically used but can 

be used using a 75% water/25% alcohol premix. Isopropyl Alcohol can not be added directly to this 

system since it will cause shocking of the polymer. IT is recommended that defoamer Foamaster O 

(Cognis) may be used at levels of 0.05-0.10% on a wet/wet basis for foam control. 

It is necessary that the CR WB-PLA added to the Robond PLA-WB adhesive with mechanical agitation. 

Prior to adding the CR WB-PLA, Robond PLA-WB needs to be mixed using mechanical agitation with 

sufficient speed to create a small vortex; this assures that the adhesive is drawn from the sides and 

bottom of the mixing vessel. Slowly charge the appropriate amount of CR WB-PLA at the edge of the 

vortex and continue mixing for 15-30 minutes. Then add the appropriate amount of recommended 

defoamer followed by the amount of diluent to reduce the solids of the mix, mix for an additional 10-15 

minutes.

A typical mix @ 40% solids: typical mix @42% solids typical mix @44% solids

Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA

Robond PLA-WB 100 lb Robond PLA-WB 100 lb Robond PLA-WB 100 lb

CR WB-PLA 11.5 lb CR WB-PLA 11.5 lb CR WB-PLA 11.5 lb

Water 18.5 lb Water 12.3 lb Water 6.7 lb

Foamaster O 295 grams Foamaster O 282 grams Foamaster O 268 grams

Coating Conditions

Recommended coating weight is 1.0-1.5 dry pounds/ream (3000 square feet) for typical snack food 

applications. Lower coat weights can be used, but the bond values will be reduced accordingly. Higher 

coat weights are required for more demanding end uses.

Apply the adhesive to the least porous or most stable substrate with standard gravure type cylinders.

It is recommended to Corona retreat, treated films in order to remove any extraneous materials that may 

have transferred to the surface that will be coated with the adhesive mix.

Optimum coating properties are achieved at 40%-45% solids on pan applied coater stations diluted with 

water using a 180-200Q type gravure cylinder. Coarse 150-165Q type gravure cylinders may be used as 

required to run lower solids down to 35%; however, adhesive appearance properties may be of lesser 

quality. A smoothing bar is recommended to obtain the best appearance. For enclosed doctor blade 

applications, it is recommended that a running solids range of 40-42% be utilized.

Corona treatment levels of 42 dynes or higher are necessary to achieve good wetting and bonding of both

the primary and secondary webs. In-line corona treatment will be necessary if treatment levels are 

inconsistent or low. In-line corona treatment is recommended for optimum wetting clarity and bond 

strength. Follow the substrate supplier’s recommendations for treatment.

Hollow core gravure rolls with cold water circulation, typically used to apply water based coatings, will aid 

in the reduction of plugged cells due to adhesive dry-out.
Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA October 2007 Page 3 of 5

Drying and Combining Temperatures

Maintain temperatures and air velocities in the drying tunnel to completely remove the water. An exit web 

temperature of 150° - 180°F normally is sufficient.

Nipping conditions depend upon pressure, temperature, and dwell time. These are different for each 

laminating system. Optimum performance and adhesive appearance is realized with a glue line 

temperature of 140° - 160°F or above. Rewind chill roll temperatures are recommended at 110°F to 

insure sufficient roll temperature to maintain the desired cure response of the adhesive and coreactant.

Care must be taken to evaluate compatibility with inks, substrates, and coatings used in conjunction with

Robond PLA-WB due to the pH of the adhesive. The alkaline nature of the adhesive may potentially 

cause discoloration of inks and coatings.

Cleaning

Drain the adhesive from the cylinder, pan and reservoir and dispose in accordance with State and local 

laws. Do not allow wet parts to dry out. Immediately rinse with tap water to remove the bulk of the 

adhesive residue. Follow by cleaning all wetted parts with ethyl acetate or other suitable solvent to 

remove any further residue. Dry all wetted parts.

Safety, Handling and Storage

 Store both Robond PLA-WB and CR WB-PLA between 50°-100°F in a dry, well ventilated area. 

 Follow good manufacturing and handling practices.

 Wash thoroughly after handling. Wash contaminated goggles, face shield, and gloves. 

Professionally launder contaminated clothing before re-use.

 ATTENTION! Container can be hazardous when empty. Follow label warnings even after container 

is empty. Do not reuse empty container without professional cleaning.

 Refer to Material Safety Data Sheet for more information.

______________________________________________________________________ 

Robond is a registered trademark of Rohm and Haas Company.

These suggestions and data are based on information we believe to be reliable. They are offered in good faith, but without 

guarantee, as conditions and method of use of our products are beyond our control. We recommend that the prospective user 

determine the suitability of our materials and suggestions before adopting them on a commercial scale.

Suggestions for uses of our products or the inclusion of descriptive material from patents and the citation of specific patents in this 

publication should not be understood as recommending the use of our products in violation of any patent or as permission or license 

to use any patents of the Rohm and Haas Company.

Visit us at www.rohmhaas.com/AdhesivesSealants

Rohm and Haas Company, Midwest Technical Center, 2531 Technology Drive, Suite 301, Elgin, IL 60124

Phone: 847-649-3800 Fax: 847-649-3760
Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA October 2007 Page 4 of 5

Rohm and Haas Food and Drug Opinion

Name: ROBOND (TM) PLA-WB 

Regulation Complies Opinion 

Date Limitations

21CFR175.105 Y 10/10/2007

21CFR175.105 A 10/10/2007 ▪ It has been determined through migration studies that the 

combination of ROBOND (TM) PLA-WB and CR-WBPLA may be 

used as a laminating adhesive in polyolefin laminate structures for 

lidding sealed to microwaveable trays containing frozen food 

subjected to heating for 5-6 minutes to reach temperatures of 

approximately 100C.

Legend:

L Yes, this product is cleared with limitations noted

N No, this product is not cleared

Y Yes, this product is cleared.

A Affirmed as compliant based on migration studies.

Regulations:

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

Disclaimer:

 This information relates specifically to this product. We believe this information to be accurate and 

reliable as of this date.

 We recommend that our customers make their own determination on the suitability of this product for 

their particular application.

 We cannot guarantee that the indirect food additives/food-contact status of this product will remain 

unchanged indefinitely; therefore we recommend that you periodically verify its status.
Robond PLA-WB/CR WB-PLA October 2007 Page 5 of 5

Rohm and Haas Food and Drug Opinion

Name: CR-WBPLA 

Regulation Complies Opinion 

Date Limitations

21CFR175.105 Y 10/10/2007

21CFR175.105 A 10/10/2007 ▪ It has been determined through migration studies that the 

combination of Robond PLA-WB and CR-WBPLA may be used as a 

laminating adhesive in polyolefin laminate structures for lidding 

sealed to microwaveable trays containing frozen food subjected to 

heating for 5-6 minutes to reach temperatures of approximately 

100C.

21CFR175.300 Y 11/13/2006

21CFR176.170 L 11/13/2006 ▪ PROVIDED THAT THE FOOD CONTACT SURFACE OF THE 

PAPER AND PAPERBOARD COMPLIES WITH THE 

EXTRACTIVES LIMITATIONS IN 21CFR176.170 PARAGRAPH (C).

21CFR176.180 Y 11/13/2006

Legend:

L Yes, this product is cleared with limitations noted

N No, this product is not cleared

Y Yes, this product is cleared.

A Affirmed as compliant based on migration studies.

Regulations:

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

21CFR175.105 Adhesives

21CFR175.300 Resinous and polymeric coatings

21CFR176.170 Components of paper and paperboard in contact with aqueous and fatty foods

21CFR176.180 Components of paper and paperboard in contact with dry food

Disclaimer:

 This information relates specifically to this product. We believe this information to be accurate and 

reliable as of this date.

 We recommend that our customers make their own determination on the suitability of this product for 

their particular application.

 We cannot guarantee that the indirect food additives/food-contact status of this product will remain 

unchanged indefinitely; therefore we recommend that you periodically verify its status.