July 28, 2025
There are several different formulations of hot melts with different properties and capabilities. Copolyester hot melt adhesives are one such type that is becoming a popular bonding solution in a variety of industries.
But how do you know when to choose a copolyester adhesive versus another hot melt? To help, our team has created this guide detailing the ins and outs of copolyester hot melts, including how they work, their common applications, and some product examples.
What Are Copolyester Hot Melt Adhesives?
Copolyester hot melt adhesives are a type of thermoplastic adhesive made from multiple polyester monomers. As a thermoplastic adhesive, they are solid at room temperature but will take a liquid form when heated. They are applied as a liquid and then solidify as they cool to form bonds. Copolyester hot melts are known for their great flexibility, durability, chemical resistance, and bond performance.
These adhesives can take many forms, including pellets and powder, and can be applied via various application methods depending on the form. They are commonly used in the textile, automotive, and packaging industries.
Pros
There are several benefits of copolyester hot melt adhesives, including:
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Good adhesives to various materials: Copolyester glues can be used to bond plastics, fabrics, foams, and other synthetic materials.
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Great flexibility and durability: Copolyester hot glues have great flexibility and are able to withstand stress or repeated movements.
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High resistance to various chemicals and elements: These adhesives tend to have a high resistance to solvents, oils, plasticizers, steam, water, and more.
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High temperature resistance: Not only do these adhesives have good chemical resistance, but they also have a high resistance to a wide range of temperatures.
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More environmentally friendly: Copolyester adhesives are solvent-free, low-odor, and low-VOC products. Together, these properties make them a more environmentally friendly solution than solvent-based adhesives.
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Good diversity of properties: These products can be formulated with different viscosities, set times, and forms to meet different application needs.
Cons
While there are many pros of copolyester hot melt adhesive glues, there are also some potential downfalls or limitations of hot melt copolyesters. Because of their many beneficial properties, copolyester hot melt glues can also be more expensive than other hot melts. Some copolyester adhesives may also not be suitable for difficult-to-bond plastics like PP or PE.
Learn more about the other Types of Hot Glue and which chemistry is right for you.
Common Applications for Copolyester Hot Melts
Thanks to their many beneficial properties, copolyester adhesives are used in a wide range of industries for different applications. Two of their more popular applications are described in further detail below.
Textiles & Apparel
One of the most common applications for copolyester hot melt adhesives is related to textiles and apparel. They are often used in technical apparel laminations, textile bonding, apparel construction, and more. They are also commonly laundry resistant adhesives with the ability to withstand elements they would be exposed to during the laundry cycle, including heat, steam, and water.
Automotive
These adhesives are also often found in the use of textiles in automotive interiors, especially related to back injection molding for automotive pillars and car interior door trims. They are designed to be strong, durable, and resistant to high temperatures so they can last the life cycle of the vehicle.
Choosing A Copolyester Glue
Even though copolyester adhesives have similar properties in general, every product is different with unique specifications. When picking a specific product, there are several factors you need to consider, including:
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Substrates being bonded
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Product form
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Application process and equipment
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Bonding strength
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Flexibility
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Open time
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Environment
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Temperature resistance
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Regulatory needs
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Cost
All these factors and more can help you narrow down your choices so you can find the product that best meets your specific needs.
Still confused? One of our adhesive experts can provide you with a free, personalized product recommendation.
Hot Melt Copolyester Adhesive Examples
There are several copolyester hot melt adhesive glues on the market. Our team is highlighting a few top-tier products that you may want to explore for your application.
This copolyester glue has a low activation temperature and an extended working time for larger bonding areas or applications that require more time to adjust components. It also has a high resistance to plasticizer migration, UV light, and moisture.
For flexible and soft touch film applications, this product can be a good choice. Based on the Shore hardness scale, this adhesive has a low hardness of D30. It also has a low glue line temperature that makes it more suitable for sensitive applications.
This Bostik copolyester hot melt is particularly well suited for flexible coatings and is commonly used to bond polybutylene terephthalate. It has a low melt viscosity of 25,000 cps for easy spreading and a glass transition temperature of 54°F. It comes in pellet form.
Start Shopping
Copolyester adhesives offer a great bonding solution for many applications and industries. If you are interested in these adhesives, you can browse our selection of copolyester hot melt adhesives for sale online or contact us for more information.
