Water-Based Adhesives

WHEN GUMMED ROLLERS AND CLOGGED HEADS ARE SLOWING YOU DOWN, CHOOSE CAPITAL.

Adhesive issues cost you uptime. Every time you adjust for glue that won’t run clean, you miss targets, waste stock, and frustrate your operators. But you shouldn’t have to settle.

Our water-based adhesives are built to run at your speed, with fast tack, clean machining, and formulas tuned for your substrates. Every batch is filtered, lab tested, and backed by field support to help you get it running right — and keep it that way.

You get adhesives that arrive ready to run, techs who show up when it counts, and lead times you can count on. Whether you’re manufacturing cartons, envelopes, or assembling paper bags, we help you hit output goals without glue getting in the way.

If your production keeps slowing down because of glue, let’s fix it.

PUBLISHING & PRINTING
PAPER CONVERTING
PACKAGING
PUBLISHING & PRINTING
PAPER CONVERTING
PACKAGING
Water-Based Adhesives

KEY PERFORMANCE PROPERTIES

Water-based adhesives should make your process smoother, not harder. Our formulations are designed for clean runs, fast set times, and consistent output across every shift.

FAST TACK

Bonds form quickly so cartons can move at rated speed without shifting, lifting, or gumming up folding and gluing equipment.

CLEAN MACHINING

No stringing, no splatter, and no clogged heads. Operators spend less time cleaning and more time keeping production on pace.

CONSISTENT VISCOSITY

Tight manufacturing controls keep solids stable from batch to batch, so every drum runs the same and eliminates constant tweaking at setup.

FREEZE PROTECTION

Shipments are protected with thermal wraps, so you never lose product performance to cold damage in transit or storage.

LOW ODOR & VOC

A safer, cleaner working environment that reduces chemical exposure for operators without sacrificing bond strength or dry time.

REGULATORY FLEXIBILITY

Formulas available to meet FDA food contact requirements, helping you stay compliant and avoid production delays.

Water-Based Adhesives

PACKAGING OPTIONS

Water-based adhesives from Capital are available in the volumes that match your line, from test runs to full-scale production. No matter the size, every batch is engineered to run clean, feed smoothly, and machine with precision.

Every option runs clean and feeds reliably through roll coaters, extrusion heads, spray systems, and wheel applicators.

PACKAGING OPTIONS

5-GALLON PAILS

Ideal for lab trials, R&D, or short-run jobs where minimal waste and easy handling matter.

30-GALLON DRUMS

A practical size for lower volume lines or multi-product facilities that need flexibility without sacrificing consistency.

55-GALLON DRUMS

Fits in between lines where totes don’t. Good for multi-product facilities.

275-GALLON TOTES

Best for operations requiring steady throughput and minimal changeovers. Reduces handling, downtime, and space needs.

40,000-POUND BULK TANKERS

When you need uninterrupted flow at scale, our bulk delivery keeps your line moving with fewer refills and tighter batch control.

Water-Based Adhesives

APPLICATIONS

Capital’s water-based adhesives are formulated for speed, control, and clean bonding across paper, board, and film. Whether you’re folding, sealing, or coating, you’ll stay productive without worrying about the glue.

NEED SOMETHING CUSTOM? WE’LL FORMULATE THE RIGHT ADHESIVE FOR YOUR APPLICATION.

Water-Based Adhesives IDEAL SUBSTRATES

Our water-based adhesives are engineered to wet out fast, grab tight, and bond cleanly to a wide range of coated, uncoated, and specialty materials. We match each formula to your substrate so you get strong, consistent performance without lift, warp, or bleed-through.

PAPERBOARD

Designed to grab fast and bond cleanly across coated, uncoated, and recycled paperboard grades.

  • SBS (Solid Bleached Sulfate)
    Get clean fiber tear and sharp fold integrity without bleed-through. Ideal for high-end cartons, folders, and printed boards that need to look perfect.
  • CUK (Coated Unbleached Kraft)
    Bonds fast without curling or cracking under pressure. Handles the rigors of automated folding and gluing on tough, high-strength stock.
  • CRB (Coated Recycled Board)
    Maintain bond strength even with variable surface quality. Adhesives penetrate just enough to hold firm without warping or delaminating.
  • CCNB (Clay Coated Newsback)
    Holds tight across inconsistent recycled layers. You get a clean bond on the clay-coated face and a strong grip on the gray backer.
  • URB (Uncoated Recycled Board)
    Prevent soak-in and get consistent adhesion on porous, fibrous stock. Ideal for pads, partitions, and low-cost packaging that still needs to perform.
  • TMP (ThermoMechanical Pulp)
    Achieve fast wet-out and reliable hold on coarse, absorbent board. Handles well on roller systems without swelling or sheet distortion.

FILMS

Formulated to hold tight on treated films without slippage, whitening, or distortion during application.

  • Polypropylene (PP)
    Secure clear films without slip, whitening, or lift. Adhesives grab fast on treated PP for windows, labels, and film-laminated cartons.
  • Polyester (PET)
    Maintain optical clarity and tight edge control. Films stay flat, dry clear, and bond cleanly even at speed.
  • Acetate
    Prevent wrinkles, hazing, and pull-back. Adhesives flow smoothly and hold without offsetting or print disruption.
  • Polyethylene (PE)
    Achieve a clean bond on low-energy surfaces. With proper surface treatment, adhesives hold without float or edge lift.
  • Polystyrene (PS)
    Reduce cracking and mess on rigid, slick films. Bonds stay clean, even, and secure without stress whitening.

we are

A PARTNER WHO HELPS YOU <span>HIT OUTPUT GOALS WITHOUT SLOWING YOUR LINE.</span>
A PARTNER WHO HELPS YOU <span>HIT OUTPUT GOALS WITHOUT SLOWING YOUR LINE.</span>

A PARTNER WHO HELPS YOU HIT OUTPUT GOALS WITHOUT SLOWING YOUR LINE.

CLEAN-RUNNING FORMULATIONS

Every batch is filtered and lab tested to machine cleanly with no stringing, no splatter, and no clogged heads, so production stays on pace.

SHORT LEAD TIMES

Adhesives ship fast from our Midwest facility. Rush options are also available when downtime is not an option and you need the product yesterday.

RELIABLE BATCH CONSISTENCY

ISO certified processes and tight spec control mean every pail, drum, and tote performs like the last, so you spend less time adjusting.

CUSTOM-FIT CHEMISTRY

We tailor viscosity, tack, and open time to match your line speed, application method, and substrates. No overengineering, no guessing.

HANDS-ON SUPPORT

Field techs show up during trials to fine-tune settings, troubleshoot issues, and make sure your adhesive performs from day one.

Water-Based Adhesives

Frequently asked questions

Here are the most common questions we hear from technical buyers who depend on fast, clean, and consistent adhesive performance.

Have more questions?
get in touch

WILL THIS RUN CLEAN ON MY EXISTING EQUIPMENT?

Yes. Every Capital adhesive is lab tested to ensure clean machining. Whether you’re using wheel applicators, extrusion heads, or roll coaters, we’ll match the viscosity and dry time to your exact setup so you can run without clogs, stringing, or constant cleanup.

CAN YOU MATCH MY CURRENT ADHESIVE?

Yes. We engineer competitive samples regularly and can dial in viscosity, open time, and tack to mirror what you’re using now. Plus, we’ll help you tighten specs or improve performance if you’re dealing with buildup, inconsistent bonds, or compatibility issues.

HOW FAST WILL IT SET ON OUR LINE?

Fast. We tailor the set speed to your line rate, substrate, and environment. Whether you’re sealing 200,000 cartons an hour or tipping direct mail inserts, we’ll make sure it grabs fast enough to keep up, with no lift or shift.

IS IT SAFE FOR FOOD CONTACT OR FDA-REGULATED APPLICATIONS?

Yes. We offer water-based adhesives that meet FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact, and we can provide documentation as needed. We also support ISO 9001-certified processes and maintain tight batch controls to help you meet compliance standards.

WHAT’S THE SHELF LIFE? HOW SHOULD WE STORE IT?

Most water-based formulas carry a shelf life of 6 months when stored between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. We recommend protecting drums and totes from freezing. In winter months, we add thermal wraps to reduce risk in transit.

WHAT VOLUMES ARE AVAILABLE?

We ship in 5-gallon pails, 30-gallon drums, 55-gallon drums, 275-gallon totes, and 40,000-pound bulk tankers. Every container is filled and sealed to spec, and we hold batch samples for quality traceability. You get the same performance no matter the size.

DO YOU OFFER ON-SITE SUPPORT FOR TRIALS?

Yes. Our field techs can be on site during startup to dial in pressure, temperature, and application method. We’ll work alongside your team to make sure the adhesive performs the way it should—and help troubleshoot if anything changes down the line.

WORRY-FREE PRODUCTION IS JUST A FEW STEPS AWAY.

STEP 1: TALK TO AN EXPERT

Speak with a field-tested adhesive expert who understands your line, listens to your goals, and helps identify what will actually work for your process.

STEP 2: GET THE RIGHT ADHESIVE

You’ll receive samples optimized for your line speed, substrates, and setup. Whether it’s a trusted formula or a tailored one, it’s made to work.

STEP 3: RUN WITH CONFIDENCE

You get a consistent product, fast answers, and less downtime. If anything goes wrong, we show up, troubleshoot fast, and keep your line moving.

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