Q&A | UV Acrylic Hot Melt: The Coating Technology Converters Are Talking About

Published: June 23, 2026

ETI President Maxime Bayzelon discusses how UV acrylic hot melt is changing what’s possible on the converting line, with higher line speeds, instant curing and zero VOCs.

Listen to the interview on YouTube or the RDG Media Podcast.

UV acrylic hot melt technology is gaining traction as converters look to improve productivity while reducing energy consumption. Applied like a conventional hot melt and cured instantly with UV light, the technology delivers ready-to-use products without the time, space or energy demands of drying ovens.

With two decades of hands-on experience across a wide range of substrates, applications and production environments, Bayzelon shares insights on the technology’s evolution, applications and factors driving adoption.

Following are interview highlights:

Q To start, please tell us about ETI, and your experience with coating and converting technologies.

ETI was founded 25 years ago. It specializes in inline silicone and adhesive coating equipment and converting capabilities, enabling customers to go from raw material to finished product in a single operation. The company started as a narrow-web hot melt equipment provider and has expanded into water-based, solvent-based and UV hot melt technologies, as well as wider web machines serving diverse industries. Our Technology Center also supports adhesive formulation testing, process demonstrations and sample production.

Q How does UV acrylic hot melt compare to other coating systems?

Solvent-based systems require VOC controls, thermal oxidizers and ventilation systems to ensure safety. Water-based systems eliminate solvents but still require drying, which consumes significant energy and space. Traditional hot melts are simple to run but have performance limitations in areas such as temperature resistance, chemical resistance and removability. UV acrylic hot melt combines the processing simplicity of hot melt with high-performance adhesion. It delivers results comparable to water-based or solvent-based adhesives, in a compact process.

Q How does UV acrylic hot melt affect line speeds and throughput?

With water-based or solvent-based systems, line speed is largely dictated by drying capacity — requiring sufficient oven length and energy, and also managing residual moisture in paper substrates to avoid curl. UV acrylic hot melt eliminates these constraints, as curing occurs almost instantly under UV lamps. ETI systems typically run around 500 feet per minute or more, with higher speeds possible using additional lamps. Precise energy control directly impacts adhesive properties such as tack and shear. Closed-loop systems also maintain consistent UV output and adhesive performance.

Q What should converters consider when integrating UV acrylic hot melt?

Integration complexity depends on the machine configuration, available space and whether a converter is building a new line or upgrading an existing system. Converters already familiar with hot melt coating will find the transition more straightforward, as the process is similar — the main addition being curing control. An important consideration is that UV hot melt and regular hot melt must not be mixed in the same system components (melters, drum unloaders, EDOs). ETI works alongside converters throughout the integration process to ensure their teams are properly trained and able to run the system with confidence.

Q What advantages does UV acrylic hot melt offer from a sustainability and compliance standpoint?

The combination of a 100% solid adhesive and a compact converting process reduces energy consumption and the machine footprint. Compared to solvent-based adhesives, it also eliminates the need to manage VOCs, thermal oxidizers or solvent recovery systems.

Q Where is adoption strongest, and what’s driving interest?

Strong interest is being seen across pressure-sensitive applications. A major driver is converters' desire to develop differentiated products with unique constructions, specific performance characteristics and custom solutions. UV acrylic hot melt also opens doors to products that may be difficult to produce with other technologies, particularly with tension- or heat-sensitive substrates. That said, no single technology is right for every application. Water-based, solvent-based, traditional hot melt and UV acrylic hot melt all have their place, depending on the application.

Q Do you have advice for converters considering a switch to UV acrylic hot melt?

My first recommendation is to start with the application, not the technology — clearly define what you are trying to achieve in terms of adhesive performance, production efficiency or sustainability before evaluating whether UV acrylic hot melt is the right fit. Running trials is strongly encouraged, as every application and environment is different. Our Technology Center allows converters to validate concepts, test materials and obtain samples before making a larger investment.

Q What could affect UV acrylic hot melt adoption over the next decade?

Three key trends are anticipated. First, as the technology becomes more widely adopted, costs are expected to gradually decrease — though UV acrylic hot melt will always carry a premium over regular hot melt due to its greater production complexity. Second, a gradual transition from traditional UV curing systems to LED curing technology is expected, improving energy efficiency and supporting broader adoption. Third, tightening environmental regulations around solvents and emissions are likely to create additional momentum for UV acrylic hot melt as a cleaner alternative.

Learn more about ETI’s converting and hot melt technologies at: https://www.eticonverting.com/

Listen to the full interview on YouTube or the RDG Media Podcast.

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