Cassava Adhesives

Cassava-based adhesives, like the cereal starch adhesives, are of three main types:

1. Liquid starch adhesives
Liquid starch adhesives are supplied by the manufacturer in liquid forms usually in plastic or lined metal drums or in jerricans and bottles. They are used by consumers as supplied or diluted further, depending on specification, with a suitable solvent (usually water). They have a limited shelf-life (6 to 18 months) and are not usually considered for export. The high solvent/water content and the relatively low cost of these adhesives do not also recommend them for export.

2. Pre-gel starch adhesives
Pre-gel starch adhesives are produced in dry flakes and milled to specific adequate particle sizes. They are packed in waterproof, lined, multi-wall paper bags/sacks. They are very suitable for export.

3. Dextrin-based adhesives
Dextrin-based adhesives are delivered to consumers either in liquid and dry forms depending on specification or requirement. The liquid dextrin adhesives are packed in the same way as the liquid starch adhesives while the dry dextrin adhesives are packed in the same way as the milled pre-gel adhesives. Dry dextrin adhesives are very suitable for export, especially to Europe and America where they are used in very large quantities.

Machinery and equipment for the manufacture of starch adhesives
The main equipments used for manufacture of starch based Adhesives are:

For liquid starch adhesive

• Baurme (specific gravity tube)
• Reactor
• Temperature gauges/thermometers
• pH meters
• Packaging materials
• Steam boiler or source

For pregelatinized starch glue

• All mentioned above plus:
• Roller dryer
• Dry milling machine
• Packaging material—bags and sealers

For dextrin adhesives

• Reactor
• Dextrin pans
• pH meters
• Temperature gauges/thermometers
• Sifters