Key takeaways
- Standard size: The310-ml cartridge is the standard size for professional sealants, adhesives, and silicones.
- Two materials:Plastic cartridgesfor stable products (acrylic, vinyl), aluminum cartridges for sensitive products (polyurethane, MC polymer)
- Flexible volumes: From 75 to 900 ml, depending on the intended application and your customers' needs.
- Full customization: Screen printing, offset printing, labeling, and inkjet traceability to enhance your brand.
- Etraves Expertise:Custom formulator since 1991, single-component cartridges.
The packaging of single-component cartridges is an essential solution for manufacturers of adhesives, sealants, silicones, and other paste-like products intended for the construction, industrial, and DIY markets.
This packaging format, recognizable by its standard 310 ml cylindrical shape, allows for precise and professional application using a spray gun. In this article, we’ll explain everything you need to know to make your cartridge packaging project a success.
What is a single-component cartridge?
Asingle-component cartridgeis a cylindrical container designed to store and dispense ready-to-use products that do not require prior mixing. Unlike two-component systems, which require the combination of two components (such as resin and hardener), single-component products are ready for use immediately after the cartridge is opened.
This ease of use makes it the preferred format for both consumer and professional applications, particularly in the areas of grouting, bonding, and sealing.
Plastic Cartridges vs. Aluminum Cartridges
The choice of cartridge material depends directly on the nature of the product to be packaged and its storage requirements.
Plastic cartridgesare the most widely used solution for acrylic sealants, silicone sealants, and vinyl adhesives. They offer excellent value for money and are ideal for stable products that do not react with plastic.
Aluminum cartridges, on the other hand, are essential for products that are sensitive to moisture or require a gas-tight barrier, such as polyurethane adhesives, anaerobic adhesives, or certain MS polymer sealants. Aluminum ensures optimal protection against gas exchange and significantly extends the product’s shelf life.
Available sizes (75 to 900 ml)
The single-component cartridge packaging meets all needs thanks to a wide range of sizes. Cartridges ranging from 75 to 150 ml are suitable for precision applications or small repair jobs, while the standard 310-ml size remains the most widely used in the professional sector and mass retail.
For large-scale projects or intensive industrial use, 600- to 900-ml cartridges help reduce the number of refills and optimize productivity. When choosing the volume, you should consider not only the intended application but also the purchasing habits of your target customers and storage constraints.
What products can be packaged in single-component cartridges?
Single-component cartridges are used to package a wide variety ofliquid or paste-like productsused in many industries. The product’s viscosity, chemical reactivity, and storage conditions determine the appropriate cartridge type and filling process. An experiencedcontract manufacturerhas the equipment and expertise needed to process each formulation under optimal conditions.
Sealants and Silicones
Caulkandsilicone cartridgesrepresent the largest segment of the single-component packaging market. Acrylic caulk, used for filling gaps and interior joints, is typically packaged in plastic cartridges using a standard filling process.
Sanitary silicone, intended for use in damp areas such as bathrooms and kitchens, requires special care to prevent any contamination that could compromise its antifungal properties.
Adhesives (neoprene, polyurethane, acrylic)
The market for glue cartridges is experiencing sustained growth, driven by demand from professionals in the construction and industrial sectors. Neoprene adhesives in cartridges offer a practical alternative to traditional tubs for coating and assembly work.
Single-componentpolyurethane adhesives, which cure upon contact with ambient moisture, must be packaged in airtight aluminum cartridges to ensure their shelf life. Acrylic and vinyl adhesives, which are less sensitive, can be easily packaged in standard plastic cartridges.
Greases and lubricants
The packaging of grease in cartridges meets the needs of industrial and automotive maintenance professionals. Standard greases, whether lithium- or calcium-based, are packaged in plastic cartridges compatible with professional grease guns.
Silicone greases, used to lubricate seals and rubber parts, require special cartridges that do not compromise their properties. The cartridge format facilitates precise dispensing and reduces the risk of contamination compared to tub or bucket packaging—a decisive advantage in demanding industrial environments.
The Benefits of Cartridge Packaging
Choosingsingle-component cartridge packagingfor your products offers numerous benefits for both the manufacturer and the end user. This proven format combines ease of use, optimal protection of the contents, and extensive customization options that strengthen your brand identity.
Easy to apply with a spray gun
The single-component cartridge is used with a manual or pneumaticapplication gun, which ensures precise metering and a consistent flow rate. This ergonomic design reduces operator fatigue during prolonged use and ensures a clean application without wasting product.
Cartridges can be fitted with nozzles of various diameters and shapes to suit every type of application: a fine nozzle for finishing touches, a wide bead for structural bonding, and an angled nozzle for hard-to-reach areas. This versatility makes the cartridge the preferred choice for professionals seeking efficiency and a high-quality finish.
Product Protection and Preservation
Cartridge packaging ensuresoptimal protection of the productagainst external factors that could compromise its performance. The airtight seal of the cartridge-piston system prevents air and moisture from entering during storage, thereby preserving the viscosity and reactivity of the contents.
Once opened, the cartridge can be resealed with a cap for later use, unlike jars or tubes, which dry out quickly after opening. This extended shelf life reduces waste and improves cost-effectiveness for both professional users and occasional DIYers.
Customization and Traceability
The custom packaging allows for complete customization of your cartridges to reinforce your brand identity at the point of sale. Several marking techniques are available: screen printing for durable, solvent-resistant prints; offset printing for complex, multicolored designs; and labeling for small batches and fast-moving products.
Weight and volume specifications, which are required for marketing, are incorporated into the packaging process, with rigorous checks at every stage of production.
For which industries?
Thepackaging of single-component cartridgesis designed for a diverse customer base, ranging from large industrial groups to small and medium-sized enterprises specializing in the formulation of technical products.
Manufacturing and Construction
Professionals in the construction and industrial sectors represent the primary market forsealantandadhesive cartridges. Construction, carpentry, and facade companies use large quantities of sealants and adhesives in their day-to-day projects.
Manufacturers in the assembly industry use technical adhesives in cartridges for structural bonding applications, which offer a cost-effective alternative to welding or riveting. The cartridge format is ideally suited to the needs of these professionals: quick application, precise dosing, and reduced waste at production or construction sites.
Automotive and Maintenance
The automotive industry is a major market forglue, sealant, and greasecartridges. Auto body shops use polyester sealants and windshield adhesives packaged in cartridges for their repair work.
Industrial and automotive maintenance services use cartridge-based greases and lubricants to maintain rolling stock and production machinery. The precision of application and the absence of cross-contamination offered by the cartridge format are particularly valued in these environments, where quality and reliability are critical.
Home Improvement and Retail
Home improvement stores and specialty retailers offer a wide range of single-component cartridge products for homeowners and tradespeople.Sanitary silicone, acrylic caulk, and mounting adhesives are among the must-have products in this distribution channel. Cartridge packaging appeals to consumers because it is easy to use and maintains its quality after opening.
For manufacturers, this sales channel imposes specific requirements in terms of attractive packaging and co-packing , and in-store displays—requirements that only an experienced contract packager can meet.
Etraves: Your Packaging Partner Since 1991
Etravessupports manufacturers of adhesives, sealants, and technical products in their packaging of single-component cartridges for over 30 years. Based in the Oise region, our company has a modern production facility capable of handling volumes ranging from a few hundred to tens of thousands of cartridges per batch.
Our engineering department analyzes each request to propose the packaging solution best suited to your product and your market, whether it’s a standard plastic cartridge or aluminum packaging with a protective atmosphere.
Our expertise covers the entire packaging process: sourcing cartridges and accessories, filling with weight control, labeling and customization, and packing into cases or kits according to your needs.
FAQ
What is the difference between a single-component and a two-component cartridge?
Thesingle-component cartridgecontains a ready-to-use product that requires no mixing before application. The product cures or dries upon contact with air, ambient moisture, or heat, depending on its formulation. The two-component cartridge, on the other hand, has two separate compartments containing the resin and the hardener, which are mixed together during extrusion by a static mixer.
How do I choose the right cartridge size?
The choiceof cartridge sizedepends on several factors: the intended application, your customers’ habits, and the budget constraints of your project. The 310-ml size is the industry standard; it is compatible with most application guns and is widely available both in retail stores and through professional suppliers.
How does a contract packaging project work?
Acustom packagingproject begins with a design phase during which our engineering department analyzes your product’s characteristics and your packaging requirements. Together, we determine the type of cartridge, volume, labeling options, and final packaging method (box, film, kit). A production setup phase allows us to validate the filling parameters and produce samples for approval. Mass production then begins according to the agreed-upon schedule,
