A material that subtly binds our world together harbors a concealed dark side. Adhesives play a crucial role in our daily lives, as they are used in a wide range of applications, from basic household repairs to complex industrial manufacturing. The demand for adhesive products continues to rise rapidly yearly, with the industry growing by approximately one billion USD from 2023 to 2024.
Annual global consumption is approximately 24.7 million metric tons. However, many conventional adhesives are made from synthetic chemicals, raising severe environmental and health concerns due to their toxicity and non-biodegradable properties. Besides their environmental impact and use in industrial structures, adhesives are crucial in the medical industry: electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor patches, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) patches for chronic pain, negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT), and hormonal therapy.
Key Statistics:
- 537 million people worldwide live with diabetes
- 1.5 million deaths annually from diabetes-related complications
- Individual insulin pump value: up to $5,000 USD
More specialized bandages, such as those used by patients with diabetes, are designed with specific purposes in mind. However, these plasters often have the drawback of peeling off prematurely - an issue that may seem minor but can create significant challenges for individuals managing diabetes.
Figure 1: Medical devices requiring strong adhesive patches
Currently, there is no natural adhesive that minimizes the risk of allergies and skin irritations while offering strength up to three times greater than traditional super glue. Or is there?
This is precisely where our project, Synhesion, takes action. We boldly address this challenge by creating bio-based adhesives through genetically engineered bacteria. These adhesives surpass the strength of traditional superglue and significantly reduce allergy risks, offering a revolutionary solution.