Pierre Knockaert
Application Development Scientist, Eastman Chemical Company
Pierre Knockaert attained his degree in Biochemistry in Ghent following which he spent 20 years across industries to become a skilled formulator and material scientist. In his former years, he worked for Arcelormittal in organic, inorganic, vitreous and metallic coatings for a wide range of applications namely, OEM, construction, home appliances and piping. Since he joined Eastman in 2017, he has been involved in the development and application of novel durable polyester polyols for food can coatings. Currently he is expanding his expertise in adhesives applications where he is leveraging his polyester knowledge and formulating skills to develop solid solutions for sustainable hot-melts.
High Tack Water-Dispersable Sulfopolyesters for Repulpable Hot-Melt and Pressure Sensitive Adhesives Enabling Recyclability
Repulpable adhesives are driving market growth by enabling packaging and labeling solutions that meet recyclability standards—helping brands align with circular economy goals and rising consumer demand for sustainable materials. Eastman has developed sustainable functionalized polyesters incorporating 5-sodiosulfoisophtalic acid that exhibit easy dispersibility in neutral and alkaline water without the use of additives or neutralizing agents for hot-melt and pressure-sensitive adhesives. Eastman’s novel sulfopolyesters showcase improved tack and adhesion to many lower surface energy substrates. These properties along with enhanced thermal stability and emulsifying properties make them suitable for various water-dispersible formulations. By combining high performance with sustainability, these functionalized polyesters are not considered a microplastic and represent an innovative leap forward for the adhesive industry to enable end-use recyclability. This presentation will showcase the sustainability and exceptional performance of our sulfopolyersters compared to incumbent materials that are commercially available today.
Breakout XII – Trends in Hotmelt Adhesives – 12 September 2025 – 11:00 – 11:30 – Room 2