The Gluecom Story
100 Years of Adhesive History
The Pioneers (1924-1960s)
Three companies in three countries, each building their expertise independently.
Labord started in France in 1924, based in Saint-Germain-lès-Arpajon. Through the interwar period and World War II, the company developed adhesive manufacturing knowledge that would prove valuable for decades. Their focus on quality and customer needs built a reputation that lasted through nearly a century of industrial change.
Merckx began in 1938 in Bruges, Belgium, specialising in water-based adhesive production—particularly PVA and VAE dispersions. The facility grew to focus on large-scale production for packaging, bookbinding and woodworking applications. Over the decades, Merckx moved from traditional methods to incorporate high levels of automation while maintaining their focus on product quality.
Pafra was founded in 1959 in Hackney, East London, by Paul Frankfurther and Max Kochmann. Max invented the first self-clearing ball valve applicator, while Paul developed the first triacetin-plasticised PVA adhesive. Growth led to moves to Basildon, Essex in 1963, followed by a purpose-built factory in 1968. The company built expertise in dispersion adhesives for paper converting and packaging markets.
New Players & Growth (1970s-2000s)
More manufacturers entered the European adhesive market, each carving out their specialisms.
Demcopack was founded in 1979 in Lokeren, Belgium, as a joint venture that became fully independent in 1985. The company developed expertise in protein-based jelly glue manufacturing for the graphics industry—books, maps, puzzles, boxes and luxury packaging. They also produce dispersion adhesives and hotmelts under the Demcomelt brand, with laboratories for testing and product development.
Ace Adhesives was formed in 1986 by two former employees of Alfred Adams & Co. In 1987, they launched jelly glues into the UK market and within two years had become a significant UK supplier, particularly in bookbinding. The business grew to include PVA and VAE dispersions alongside their jelly glue products.
During this period, these companies grew independently—acquiring smaller operations, adding capabilities, and building reputations in their respective markets across Europe.
Becoming Gluecom
(2000-Present)
What started as consolidation became the Gluecom group—bringing together nearly a century of combined expertise.
In 2000, Demcopack acquired Merckx in Belgium, combining protein adhesive capabilities with large-scale dispersion production. This was the first major consolidation that would eventually form the group structure.
2004 saw Ace Adhesives purchased by Demcopack Davis, bringing UK jelly glue manufacturing into the developing group.
In 2017, Labord—the company that started in 1924—joined the group, adding French operations and hotmelt expertise. The same year, Gluecom Polska was established northeast of Warsaw, serving Polish bookbinding and packaging markets and now supplying many Polish binderies and luxury box manufacturers.
2019 saw the introduction of the Gluecom name. The separate companies within the group needed a corporate identity to show customers they were part of an international, multi-site operation capable of supplying across Europe.
On 1st March 2022, Pafra Adhesives was acquired by Gluecom, bringing substantial UK operations and expertise into the group. Pafra’s site in Basildon, Essex, became the centre of excellence for the whole of Gluecom NV.
In 2024, Gluecom Germany was established in Mühlacker-Lomersheim as a trading hub for industrial adhesives with technical support for the German market.
Recent acquisitions including Fritz Häcker PLAKAL have continued to strengthen our jelly glue capabilities and grow our European presence.
Today, Gluecom operates across six European countries with 130+ employees across 10 locations, combining the expertise and heritage of companies that have been serving their industries for up to a century.
