When specifying a corrugating starch adhesive, “borax-free” and “boron-free” are not equivalent. In an October 16 announcement, supplier Crespel & Deiters said its EU-market Definol adhesives are free of borax, while explaining that some products use alternative boron compounds. It presents the Zerobor range as an option for users requiring no boron. Treating the first term as the second, or as automatic exemption from every regulatory requirement, would misstate a purchasing specification.
What the supplier’s labelling claim establishes
Crespel & Deiters says the relevant Definol adhesives may continue to be used under new EU rules without additional labelling or documentation. Packaging Insights reported that statement on October 19, attributing it to the company. Neither account independently establishes that every formulation, concentration or destination market is exempt from all safety-data-sheet or labelling obligations. The specific product and its current composition, hazard classification and supply region matter.
The EU CLP classification, labelling and packaging framework addresses the hazards of substances and mixtures. A marketing name alone does not determine a mixture’s classification. We did not independently verify a specific amended classification’s effective date or the legal exemption scope for each adhesive from the supplier announcement. Buyers should instead examine the latest product-specific safety data sheet (SDS) and applicable official classification and labelling requirements for their market.
Three checks before use on a corrugator
- Ingredient requirement: Specify whether the requirement excludes borax or all boron-containing ingredients. Definol and Zerobor are not synonymous labels.
- Documents and market: Request the current SDS for the exact product code and formulation, the applicable CLP classification and label basis, and any customer-specific documents. A promotional claim is not a substitute for product-specific review.
- Production fit: Test the adhesive with the intended flutes, paper grades, running speed and application rate; record bond strength and drying/operating conditions. A supplier’s stated machine speed is not independently demonstrated performance on the buyer’s line.
The evidence boundary: The supplier clearly distinguishes its borax-free and boron-free offerings. The actual legal labelling and operating performance for a given formulation require its SDS, the applicable rules and line-specific tests.
About the Author
PackingMaster: Editor of PaperPackLog, covering paper-packaging industry developments, products and technical decisions.
References
- Crespel & Deiters, Definol borax-free adhesives and labelling, October 16, 2026 — Supplier’s own composition and labelling statements.
- Packaging Insights, Crespel & Deiters highlights borax-free adhesives, October 19, 2026 — Report of the supplier’s account, not an independent product test or legal determination.
- EU-OSHA, CLP — Classification, Labelling and Packaging of substances and mixtures — General framework, not an exemption for any named adhesive.