Exilva

Improve bonding, productivity and process stability

Exilva® for corrugated board

Corrugated board producers face increasing pressure to run faster, maintain board quality and adapt to changing raw materials and requirements. Greater use of recycled fibres, variable paper quality, rising efficiency demands and the transition towards boron-free solutions all add complexity to adhesive performance.

Exilva® is a bio-based performance additive for starch-based corrugated board adhesives. Produced from Norway spruce, Exilva enhances the performance of starch-based adhesive systems, helping corrugators achieve stronger bonding, more stable production and higher productivity. By enabling a strong multiple hydrogen bonding interaction, it helps stabilise and improve the starch effect.

Read more about our available products and packaging here. 

Exilva is specially designed to ensure high control of rheology in systems where large/heavy particles can create increased complexity in stabilisation. We’ve seen immediate results by adding Exilva on top of existing adhesive formulas. The interaction between starch and Exilva provides the adhesive a longer opening time and stronger gel. Consequently, the board has more time for re-alignment after the slitter/score, and thus, the glueing becomes more robust at the higher speed. The longer opening time also reduces crack board at extra dense and closed papers like WT, Coated, PE laminated, and SC-Fluting.

Benefits you can expect from Exilva in your corrugating adhesive:

  • Improves bonding strength, lessens warp and delamination
  • Productivity by significantly higher machine speed where the slitter scorer is the bottleneck. Particularly pronounced on heavier double-/triple wallboard qualities glued at the double backer.
  • Storage stability over longer time periods: More stable glue with no viscosity drift – storing over the weekend – minimal retrogradation when pumping the glue over longer distances
  • Safer and more accurate production
 

How exilva works

Exilva is a microfibrillated cellulose that forms a three-dimensional network of fibrils in the adhesive system. Read more about microfibrillated cellulose here

This network interacts with starch through multiple hydrogen bonds, helping stabilise the adhesive and improve its rheological properties. The result is improved control of adhesive behaviour during application and bonding, contributing to stronger and more consistent production performance.

supporting boron-free adhesive solutions

Borregaard's Exilva® can help reduce boron usage in starch-based adhesive systems and support the development of boron-free adhesive solutions for corrugated board production.

The European Chemicals Agency, ECHA, lists borates as Substances of Very High Concern. In The Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation ((EC) No 1272/2008) noted as "may damage fertility and the unborn child".

Historically, boron derivatives have been the performing additive to secure glueing quality and stable production of corrugated boards. Up till now, changes towards bor-free options have not been made, due to the lack of performing alternatives.

Exilva enables production without borates in the glue, and results so far are promising. The solution may be adapted to every corrugator, as each glue kitchen, starch type and settings vary from site to site. With on-site support from our specialist, a low-risk initial test can be the first step to develop regular production with a bor-free glue solution.

We understand that the removal of Substances of Very High Concern is an important strategic decision. Such a decision will support brand owners, consumers and the industry focusing on Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), serving both companies and consumers.

Technical expertise beyond the product

Every corrugator is different. Adhesive recipes, starch types, machine configurations and operating conditions vary from site to site.

Borregaard's technical experts work closely with customers to evaluate opportunities, optimise adhesive formulations and support implementation. Whether the goal is increased productivity, improved board quality or a transition to boron-free adhesives, we help identify the right solution for your operation.