What do milk and adhesives have in common? – the science of dispersions

At first glance, milk and industrial adhesives don’t seem to have much in common. But look closer – both are, in fact, dispersions. And understanding dispersions is key to understanding the chemistry behind Neschen’s high-performance adhesive solutions.

 

What is a dispersion?

The term “dispersion” comes from the Latin dispergere, meaning “to scatter” or “to distribute.” In chemistry, a dispersion is a system in which one substance is finely distributed throughout another. This distribution is what gives dispersions their unique optical and mechanical properties – including the white color typical of both milk and our adhesives.

Depending on the physical states of the substances involved (solid, liquid, or gas), dispersions are further categorized:

• Emulsions: mixtures of two liquids that do not normally mix – for example, oil in water. Most Neschen adhesives are polymer emulsions in water.
• Foams: gas dispersed in a liquid, such as air bubbles in whipped cream or unwanted foam in production lines.
• Suspensions: solid particles dispersed in a liquid – for instance, pigments in paints or coatings.

 

Why are dispersions white?

The milky white appearance of many dispersions, including our adhesives, is due to the way light interacts with the dispersed particles. Light entering a dispersion is scattered in all directions by the microscopic droplets or particles. Because sunlight contains all colors and scattering occurs more or less equally across the visible spectrum, the result is white light being reflected – hence, the white color.

This phenomenon is the same whether it’s the proteins and fat droplets in milk or the polymer particles in Neschen’s adhesive dispersions. The effect can even change slightly under artificial lighting, where the color temperature may lean toward blue or yellow tones.

 

Why use dispersions in adhesive technology?

Dispersions – particularly water-based polymer emulsions – offer a wide range of advantages for industrial adhesives:

• Eco-friendly: Water-based dispersions reduce or eliminate the need for volatile organic solvents, making them safer and more environmentally friendly.
• Customizable: By adjusting the type, size, and concentration of dispersed particles, we can tailor adhesive properties such as tack, cohesion, drying time, and flexibility.
• Stable: Modern dispersion formulations ensure high stability, consistent performance, and long shelf life under a wide range of conditions.
• Versatile Applications: Whether for paper, films, textiles, or graphics, dispersion adhesives can be adapted to numerous substrates and processing requirements.

 

 

Dispersion technology at Neschen

At Neschen, dispersion chemistry is at the heart of our adhesive development. We apply decades of expertise to formulate dispersions that meet the highest demands for sustainability, performance, and user safety. Whether you are laminating a book cover or installing a large-format print, our adhesives ensure clean processing and long-term durability.

We continuously innovate in our in-house labs, exploring new dispersion types, stabilizers, and production methods to improve the performance and environmental profile of our products.