Dr. Jaka Gašper Pečnik, InnoRenew CoE reseracher, together with Branka Mušič and Andreja Pondelak from the Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, recently published a scientific article “Stabilization of Fish Protein-Based Adhesive by Reduction of Its Hygroscopicity”, in Polymers.

Protein-based fish adhesives have historically been used in various bonding applications; however, due to the protein’s high affinity for water absorption, these adhesives become destabilized in high-moisture environments, resulting in reduced bondline strength and early failure. This is why in this study, the hygroscopicity, dry matter content, thermal analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, surface tension measurements, vapour permeability, and scanning electron microscope of the modified adhesives were determined. Moreover, the bonding properties of the modified adhesives were evaluated. The resulting modified protein-based adhesives demonstrated improved stability in high humidity environments.