MDI Workshop for EPA Staff

• Introduction

• REACH Experience

• Thank you for a participatory process

• Purpose

• Exposure profile (who, what, how much, and how often)

• Our history with the consumer

* This presentation represents the views of The Gorilla Glue Company only. It does not represent the views of the American Chemistry 

Council, Center for the Polyurethanes Industry, or the Adhesive and Sealant Council. ASC, ACC and CPI shall have absolutely no liability, 

under any theory of liability, in connection with resulting from the use or misuse or, reliance upon, this presentation or the information in it. 

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What is Polyurethane Glue

• A single component adhesive

• Available in retail in US since early 1990’s

• Sold at retail in plastic bottles—3/4 oz. through 36 oz.

• Different from other glues

• Moisture activated

• Expands 3 to 4 times (a little bit goes a long way)

• Clamp or apply pressure for at least 1-2 hours (cures in 24 hours)

• Bonds almost everything: wood, metal, stone, ceramic, foam, and some plastics

• Holds up in extreme conditions (hot, cold, wet and dry)

• Waterproof 2
Who We Are

The Gorilla Glue Company

• Leader in consumer Polyurethane Glue

• 99% of our Business is Retail

We are close to the end user and the retail locations that serve them.

• Customer Service Representatives: Talk with thousands of consumers a month

• Inside Sales: Talk with approximately 10,000 hardware store owners/managers a 

month

• Outside Sales Reps: Visit and talk with approximately 2,000 store owners/managers

• National Sales Managers: Visit and talk with hundreds of buyers, district managers, 

and store managers for major retailers

• Marketing Department: Consistently talking with end users 

• Management of Gorilla Glue: Consistently visiting stores throughout the country

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Where is Polyurethane Glue Sold

•Has been widely distributed in the United States for almost 20 years

•Has been available in Europe for approximately 50 years

•Retail Locations (over 100,000 locations):

0.0%

10.0%

20.0%

30.0%

40.0%

50.0%

60.0%

70.0%

Hardware/

Home Centers

Mass

Merchant

Grocery Automotive Craft Drug/

Convenience

Office Other

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Retail Planogram Locations

Home Center Mass Merchant Grocery 5
How are Consumers Using Gorilla Glue

Gorilla Glue Usage

Total of 719 respondents from 2008 survey

• Easy-fix projects : 84% Used

 Vase/bowl, molding, picture frame, chair, table leg, book binding, ceramic, 

shoes, loose handles (shovel, broom), musical instrument

• Home repair projects : 63% Used

 Siding, door, loose brick, tile, wooden jungle gym, pool accessory, securing 

loose screws/bolts, wood joints, de-laminating shelving

• Craft/Hobby projects: 49% Used

 Hobby airplanes/trains/cars, picture frames, scrapbooking, centerpiece 

creations, seasonal décor, floral arrangements

• Woodworking or Building projects : 36% Used

 Hobby, finish carpentry, cabinetry, woodturning, banister building, tree 

house, deck, room remodel, trim work, framing, trellis, tile backsplashes 6
Facebook Images-Consumer Projects

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Facebook Images-Consumer Projects

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Customer Breakdown

Light/Medium DIY’er:

I like making small changes around my house, easy-fix projects and craft projects. If 

something is broken, I can fix it but I don't typically take on major changes or projects. 

Preferred Bottle Size: 2 oz and smaller

Heavy DIY’er: 

I primarily repair, limited build. In addition to common fixes, I would tackle most largerscale projects around the house myself. 

Preferred Bottle Size: 4 oz bottle and smaller (concentrated in 4 oz and 2 oz sizes)

Professional/Woodworkers:

I am a contractor, woodworker, professional handy-man. Projects do not typically 

consume a lot of Gorilla Glue at one time, but do have a repeated frequency.

Preferred Bottle Size: 8 oz bottle and smaller (concentrated in 8 oz and 4 oz sizes) 9
What bottles are Consumers Buying

Approximately 100 Million bottles have been sold since the early 1990’s

75.00%

20.00%

4.00% 1.00% 0.03%

2 oz and Smaller

4 oz

8 oz

18 oz

36 oz

2 oz. and 

Smaller

4 oz.

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Responsible Labeling and Warning

All polyurethane companies have comprehensive, consistent and 

thorough directions and warnings. Below is the most relevant 

information:

 

2 oz Bottle 

• Front of Label: May cause skin and eye irritation. Potential skin sensitizer. Keep out 

of reach of children and animals. See warnings on back panel.

•Back of Label: Keep out of reach of children and animals. Harmful or fatal if 

swallowed. Do not microwave or heat. Do not leave in hot vehicle. Individuals with 

chronic asthmatic conditions should consult physician prior to using product. Contains 

prepolymerized MDI, 4,4’-Diphenylmethane Diisocyanate. Prevent contact with skin 

and eyes. May cause gastro-intestinal blockage if swallowed. For medical emergencies 

only, call 1-800-420-7186

•All surfaces must be clean and tight fitting. Wear gloves to avoid skin contact. Gorilla 

Glue will stain skin and ruin clothes

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Exposure Concerns Under CAP

Inhalation 

• Tested workers in filling plant in Denmark: undetectable levels

• Nov. 11, 2011 Test. Gorilla Glue in the US - Glove box test during application 

of Gorilla Glue to moistened wooden strips during a 30 minute period. All 

samples were below the laboratory detection limit of 0.001 mg/m3 of MDI 

monomer and oligomers. 

Dermal 

• A controlled delivery system

• Nozzle allows for pinpoint precision

• Average of 1-2 grams per use- typical use is a few drops or a small bead of 

glue

Medical (Non)-Issues

• Over 500 million uses/applications

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Our Conclusions About Use and Exposure

Our 13 years of experience selling this product leads us to the conclusion:

•All Polyurethane glue is sold in a bottle with a controlled delivery system (cap/nozzle) 

which allows the user to dispense the product with precision.

•Gorilla Glue is being used in small applications (not construction product). 

•Product is being used a few grams at a time (repairs) to an ounce (small projects –

craft, woodworking, etc.). 

•The product is also used infrequently (a heavy user would be someone using our 

product 3-5 times a week). 

•Our product is not available in an aerosol so it is not airborne. 

•Consumers have been educated to keep off their hands (similar to instant glue, epoxy, 

spray adhesives and construction adhesives all of which will stain clothing and cannot 

be cleaned up with water ). 

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