Breaking the unbreakable bond: Towards sustainable adhesives’ future

Adhesives with polymeric bases are indispensable in joining various surfaces across numerous industries and applications. The recognition of environmental concerns and the demand for sustainable materials has spurred researchers to explore innovative strategies for improving the recyclability of polymeric adhesives. These adhesives are mostly thermosets-based, thus, infusible and insoluble in nature. This review discusses potential solutions for implementing covalent adaptable networks (CANs) in thermoset adhesives to enable their recycling. Insights into the factors influencing these adhesives’ recyclability and practical applications are provided, paving the way for a comprehensive understanding of their potential impact on sustainable adhesive technologies. Whereas thermal-assist CANs dominate the field of recyclable adhesives, several other stimuli, like pH and light, are also discussed, though further research is needed to make them more applicable.