Abstract:
An additive for imparting caustic removability to a hot melt adhesive includes a hydrocarbon copolymer containing one or more dicarboxylic acid moieties in at least partial ester form and a C5 hydrocarbon polymer comprising a polymeric backbone and, pendent thereon, one or more dicarboxylic acid moieties in at least partial ester form. The hydrocarbon copolymer and a C5 hydrocarbon polymer may have a weight average molecular weight less than 50,000, a flashpoint greater than or equal to 150° C., and may be soluble in a caustic solution having a pH of 8 or greater. A caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition may include the additive composition, a block copolymer, a tackifler, and/or a processing oil. The caustic removable hot melt adhesive composition may be applied to a label to adhere the label to the surface of an article, such as a recyclable bottle.