Natural Resins for Adhesives — Gum Rosin, Shellac & Guar Gum
Natural resins give adhesives tack, film strength and body. Here is where gum rosin, shellac, dammar and guar gum fit in adhesive formulation, and what to put on a purchase specification.
Where natural resins fit
| Hot-melt and pressure-sensitive adhesives | Gum rosin adds tack, used directly in some formulas and as the raw material for the rosin esters most tackifier makers use |
| Labels, tapes and paper bonding | Rosin-based tackifiers for tack; shellac as a fast-drying alcohol-soluble binder and film-former |
| Water-based paper and wallpaper adhesives | Guar gum as a thickener and binder that builds viscosity in water |
| Specialty and conservation adhesives | Dammar resin and shellac where a natural, alcohol-soluble resin is wanted |
Choosing a rosin grade
Gum rosin is graded by colour on the USDA scale, from palest to darkest: X, WW (water white), WG (window glass) and N. Use the paler grades for clear and light-coloured adhesives and labels, and WG or N where colour does not matter. The grade describes colour only; tack and compatibility depend on acid value, softening point and how the rosin is modified.
| Softening point (ring and ball) | Typically 65–80 °C, grade-dependent |
| Acid value | Typically 155–175 mg KOH/g |
| Colour | X, WW, WG or N; Gardner value on the batch COA |
Guar gum in water-based adhesives
Guar gum hydrates in cold water and builds viscosity at low dosage, which helps water-based paper and wallpaper adhesives stay workable and hold on the surface. We supply 3500, 5000 and 7000 cps grades at 200 mesh; the guar gum grades guide explains how viscosity is measured.
What to put on the specification
For rosin: grade, softening point, acid value and colour. For shellac: wax status, colour and alcohol-insoluble matter. For guar gum: viscosity with its test condition and mesh size. Compatibility with your polymers, solvents and plasticisers has to be proven in your own formula, so start with a trial quantity.
How we supply adhesive makers
We supply gum rosin in X, WW, WG and N grades from a 500 kg MOQ, dammar resin (₹160–170 per kg) and guar gum (₹100–160 per kg) from 100 kg, and shellac flakes from 100 kg per grade, each with a batch COA. Trial samples of 100–500 g are available. Ink makers using the same resins can read shellac and rosin for printing ink.
Quick answers
Is gum rosin used directly as a tackifier? Sometimes. Gum rosin is used directly in some adhesive formulas, but most hot-melt and pressure-sensitive tackifiers are rosin esters made from it. We supply the gum rosin.
Which rosin grade suits light-coloured adhesives? The paler grades, X and WW. WG and N are darker and suit adhesives where colour does not matter. Check softening point and acid value on the COA too.
Where is guar gum used in adhesives? Mainly in water-based paper and wallpaper adhesives, where it thickens and binds at low dosage. Choose the viscosity grade to suit your application method.
This guide summarises publicly available information and industry practice as of October 2026. Run your own trials and check the rules for your market before ordering. It is not legal advice.
Formulating Adhesives?
Gum rosin X, WW, WG and N, dammar, guar gum and shellac. Trial samples and batch COA with every lot.