High-performance additives for hot melt adhesives: Licocene metallocene polyolefins
Hot melt adhesives require precise formulation to deliver strong bonds, thermal stability, and low odor across packaging, textiles, and construction applications. Clariant's Licocene metallocene polyolefins are speciality waxes and polymers engineered to boost adhesion, improve cohesion, and reduce VOC emissions in hot melt adhesive systems. Licocene grades are available in both fossil-based and bio-based (Licocene Terra) versions.
Solve your own and the world’s bonding challenges with our high-performing polymers and waxes
Licocene™ is Clariant's range of metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin polymers and waxes for hot melt adhesive formulation. Licocene hot melt adhesives are in high demand thanks to their exceptional performance, favorable eco-profiles, and recyclability, and have taken center stage in many bonding applications.
Licocene hot melt adhesives deliver measurable, tested performance advantages:
- Adhesion boost: Adding just 3–5% grafted Licocene PP MA gives hot melt adhesive formulations a significant adhesion boost compared to standard resins.
- Balanced adhesion and cohesion: Despite their low molecular weight, Licocene polymers provide high mechanical strength and the right balance of adhesion and cohesion, even at low processing temperatures (even at processing temperatures as low as xx°C).
- Thermal stability: Licocene polymers reduce charring and gelling, cutting cleaning downtime and increasing production mileage through low density.
- Sustainability: The Licocene Terra range achieves up to 100% Renewable Carbon Index (RCI), using renewable, bio-based hydrocarbons in place of fossil-based raw materials. With no need to retest or modify production, Terra products are like-for-like drop-ins with identical chemical composition and performance.
- Consumer-friendly profile: Licocene hot melt adhesives have low VOC and odor profiles, supporting eco-conscious formulation goals.
The cutting-edge metallocene catalyst technology behind Licocene polymers allows precision-tailoring of polyethylene and polypropylene polyolefins to fit the exact performance needs of hot melt adhesive developments. Selective tuning of melting point and viscosity produces a broad range of homo- and co-polymers, spanning highly crystalline to nearly amorphous properties, so formulators can match Licocene polymers precisely to their bonding requirements.
Licocene polyolefins combine sustainability and performance in adhesive manufacturing
Licocene performance polymers form a complete formulating toolbox for hot melt adhesives:
- Backbone polymers lay the foundation for excellent cohesive properties.
- Tackifier waxes increase adhesion to the desired level.
- Wax modifiers set viscosity, heat resistance, and open/set time.
- Antioxidants ensure thermal stability.
- Plasticizers add flexibility, enabling pressure-sensitive adhesive formulations.
- Fillers fine-tune final formulation functionality.
Licocene polymers also combine seamlessly with a broad range of other resins and polymers, allowing hot melt adhesive formulators to tailor the exact bonding result needed for any application.
Where sustainability is a priority, Licocene Terra hot melt adhesives offer up to 100% Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) by using renewable, bio-based hydrocarbons instead of fossil-based raw materials. This significantly reduces the carbon footprint of hot melt adhesives while helping customers meet both regulatory and consumer sustainability expectations.
OEKO-TEX™ ECO PASSPORT certified solutions
We are proud to highlight that selected products within our Licocene range are OEKO-TEX™ ECO PASSPORT certified. This certification ensures that our hot melt adhesives meet environmental and safety standards, making them the perfect choice for manufacturers who prioritize sustainable textile production. By choosing these certified products, you can confidently align with global sustainability goals and cater to the evolving expectations of eco-conscious consumers.
Licocene selection guide for non modified grades
The Licocene range is Clariant's flagship portfolio for hot melt adhesives (HMA), developed using cutting-edge metallocene catalyst technology that enables precision-tailored polymer design. The range consists of two main chemistry types, the polyethylene-based Licocene PE grades and the polypropylene-based Licocene PP grades. Licocene PE grades are primarily used as a viscosity and setting behavior modifier in adhesive formulations, whereas the Licocene PP grades are backbone polymers in hot melt adhesive formulations.
What are the key characteristics of non-modified Licocene metallocene polyolefins?
- Low molecular weight with high mechanical strength
- Optimized viscosity profile enabling low processing temperatures
- Excellent thermal stability: less charring, no gelling, reduced cleaning downtime
- Precise balance of adhesion and cohesion
- Adhesion boost capabilities, supporting formulators in reducing tackifying resin content
NAME COMPOSITION VISCOSITY (170 °C)
mPa·s (approx.)DROP POINT
°C (approx.)Licocene PE 4201 ● Polyethylene wax 60 [140 °C] 128 Licocene PE 4201 ● Polyethylene wax 60 [140 °C] 128 Licocene PE 5301 Polyethylene wax 350 [140 °C] 131 Licocene PP 1302 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 200 90 Licocene PP 1302 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 200 90 Licocene PP 1502 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 1800 86* Licocene PP 1502 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 1800 86* Licocene PP 1602 ● Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 6000 88* Licocene PP 2402 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 1300 99* Licocene PP 2502 ● Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 2000 103* Licocene PP 2602 ● Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 6300 98* Licocene PP 3602 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 9300 111* Licocene PP 6102 Polypropylene wax 60 145 Licocene PP 6102 Polypropylene wax 60 145 Licocene PP 6502 Polypropylene wax 1700 148* Licocene PP 6502 Polypropylene wax 1700 148* Licocene PP 7502 Polypropylene wax 1800 165* Licocene PP 7502 Polypropylene wax 1800 165* Licocene PPA 330 Amorphous Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer 200 -45**
Softening point: ASTM D 3104
Drop point: ASTM D 3954
Viscosity: DIN 53019 at 170 °C [140 °C]* Softening point
** Glass transition temperature
● Also available as a “Terra” version based on renewable carbon (biomass balance certified)
Licocene selection guide for modified grades: grafted with maleic anhydride (MAH) or silane (SI)
Licocene is available in both MAH-grafted and silane-grafted grades to meet a broad range of hot melt adhesive requirements. MAH-grafted grades are designed for thermoplastic hot melt adhesive applications, delivering improved adhesion to polar substrates. Silane-grafted grades offer reactive, moisture-curable performance, enabling crosslinking within hot melt formulations and significantly elevated heat resistance.
What are the key characteristics of the grafted Licocene metallocene waxes?
- Increase heat resistance and the crosslinking level of hot melt formulations due to its high level of grafting
- Can function both as an additive or as a backbone polymer
- Low molecular weight and viscosity provide excellent wetting and adhesion
NAME COMPOSITION VISCOSITY (170 °C)
mPa·s (approx.)DROP POINT
°C (approx.)ACID VALUE Licocene PE MA 4221 Polyethylene wax, modified with MAH 140 [140 °C] 123 18 Licocene PE MA 4351 Polyethylene wax, modified with MAH 350 [140 °C] 123 45 Licocene PE MA 4351 Polyethylene wax, modified with MAH 350 [140 °C] 123 45 Licocene PP SI 1362 Polypropylene copolymers modified with SI 100 80* - Licocene PP SI 1462 Polypropylene copolymers modified with SI 1000 90* - Licocene PP MA 1332 Propylene-Ethylene-Copolymer wax, modified with MAH 200 80 18 Licocene PP MA 6252 Polyethylene wax, modified with MAH 100 140 42 Licocene PP MA 6452 Polypropylene wax, modified with MAH 1100 144* 41 Licocene PP MA 6452 Polypropylene wax, modified with MAH 1100 144* 41 Licocene PP MA 7452 Polypropylene wax, modified with MAH 1100 159* 41 Licocene PP MA 7452 Polypropylene wax, modified with MAH 1100 159* 41
Softening point: ASTM D 3104
Drop point: ASTM D 3954
Viscosity: DIN 53019 at 170 °C [140 °C]
Acid value: QM-AA-351a* Softening point
** Glass transition temperature
Compatibility: Licocene polymers combine with resins and other polymers for superior bond strength
Licocene performance polymers are formulated to be combined with a broad range of resins and other polymers, delivering superior bond strength through tailored, versatile hot melt adhesive formulations.
Licocene polymers are compatible with the following resin types commonly used in hot melt adhesive formulation:
- Aliphatic, hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins
- Partly aromatic, fully and partly hydrogenated hydrocarbon resins
- Abietic acid and rosin
- Esters from rosin
- Polyterpenes and terpene-phenol resins
Licocene polymers are also compatible with the following polymer types:
- Amorphous poly-alpha-olefins (APAO)
- Other polyolefins (C2C3, C2C8, and related types)
- Styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS)
- Plasticizers, including phthalates, paraffinic oil, and polyisobutylene
This broad compatibility means Licocene performance polymers can be combined with the resins and polymers listed above to achieve the exact bonding performance needed for a specific hot melt adhesive application, whether the priority is adhesion, cohesion, flexibility, or cost optimization. By functioning as a versatile component within a wider adhesive formulation, Licocene polymers help formulators achieve the perfect combination of properties for each individual bonding project.
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Frequently asked questions about Licocene hot melt adhesive polymers and waxes
Metallocene-catalyzed polyolefins, such as Clariant's Licocene™ performance polymers, are among the best-performing polymers for hot melt adhesives. They combine low molecular weight with high mechanical strength and provide the right balance of adhesion and cohesion, even at low processing temperatures. Adding just 3–5% grafted Licocene PP MA gives formulations a significant adhesion boost compared to standard resins. These polymers also offer excellent thermal stability, reducing charring and gelling and increasing production mileage.
Hot melt adhesives can become more sustainable by replacing fossil-based polyolefins with renewable, bio-based alternatives. Clariant's Licocene™ Terra range achieves up to 100% Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) by using renewable hydrocarbons derived from bio-based raw materials, reducing both fossil resource consumption and fossil-based carbon emissions. Licocene Terra products are like-for-like drop-ins with identical chemical composition and physical properties to their fossil-based equivalents, so formulators can switch to a more sustainable option without retesting, renewing registrations, or modifying production processes or equipment.
Metallocene wax is a polyolefin wax produced using metallocene catalyst technology, which allows selective tuning of melting point and viscosity to create a broad range of homo- and co-polymers with properties spanning highly crystalline to nearly amorphous. The main advantages of metallocene waxes, such as Clariant's Licocene™ range, are high mechanical strength despite low molecular weight, a precise balance of adhesion and cohesion, excellent thermal stability, and consumer-friendly odor and VOC profiles.
Clariant produces bio-based raw materials for hot melt adhesives under its Licocene™ Terra range, which uses certified biomass balance-based, renewable hydrocarbons to achieve up to 100% Renewable Carbon Index (RCI). These bio-based polyolefins are designed as like-for-like drop-in replacements for fossil-based Licocene products, offering identical chemical composition, physical properties, and performance without requiring formulation changes.
Licocene is Clariant's range of metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin polymers and waxes for hot melt adhesive formulation. It improves adhesive performance by providing high mechanical strength at low molecular weight, achieving a precise balance of adhesion and cohesion, and delivering excellent thermal stability that reduces charring, gelling, and cleaning downtime. Licocene products can function as backbone polymers, adhesion-boosting additives (a 3–5% addition of grafted Licocene PP MA significantly increases adhesion), or as fully functional adhesives on their own, and combine seamlessly with resins such as hydrocarbon resins, rosin esters, and polyterpenes, as well as other polymers like APAO and SEBS.
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