Researchers Turn Cashew Waste Into High-Performance Industrial Adhesive
INCHEON, South Korea — It may sound nuts, but researchers at Inha University have developed a high-performance, biodegradable adhesive derived from cashew nut byproducts, offering a potential alternative to petroleum-based materials widely used in manufacturing.
The team, led by Kim Hee-jung and Choi Woo-hyuk, professors in the Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, designed a new polymer structure using cardanol, a compound extracted from cashew nut shells. The material achieves adhesive strength comparable to commercial tapes without the need for additional bonding agents.
“By utilizing discarded biomass, we can significantly lower the environmental burden of everyday materials,” Kim Hee-jung said. “We expect this technology to find broad use across multiple industries.”
Pressure-sensitive adhesives used in labels, tapes and sticky notes typically rely on petrochemical polymers that can leave residue and complicate recycling. The newly developed material breaks down rapidly under mild conditions and does not interfere with recycling, combining durability with environmental compatibility.
The study, led by doctoral researcher Heo Seo-jeong, was published as a cover paper in the journal Green Chemistry.
Researchers say the innovation highlights the potential of agricultural waste to reduce the environmental footprint of materials used in manufacturing, with applications ranging from packaging to industrial adhesives.
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