Big Dog Adhesives is rethinking the traditional adhesive cartridge with Reload – a reusable dispensing system designed to reduce plastic waste, lower ongoing adhesive costs and fit into existing fabrication workflows.
Rather than disposing of a complete plastic cartridge once the adhesive has been used, Reload uses a durable reusable outer housing combined with fresh adhesive supplied in foil packs. Once empty, the foils are removed and replaced, allowing the main cartridge assembly to be used again.
It’s a simple idea, but one that could make a significant difference to fabricators regularly working through adhesive cartridges.
How does Reload work?
At the centre of the Reload system is a reusable cartridge housing designed to work with Big Dog Adhesives’ two-part MMA and epoxy adhesive formulations.
Fresh resin and activator are supplied in individual foil packs which are loaded into the housing. The Reload nose cap features self-puncturing points, meaning the foils are punctured as pressure is applied through the dispensing gun rather than requiring them to be manually opened.
A standard static mixing tip is then attached and the adhesive can be dispensed in much the same way as a conventional cartridge.
Once the adhesive has been used, the spent foils can be removed and replaced with a fresh set, ready for the housing to be used again.
Keep using your existing dispensing equipment
One of the biggest advantages of Reload is that adopting the system doesn't require fabricators to completely change the way they work.
Reload has been developed for compatibility with existing 1:1 and 10:1 dispensers, including manual, pneumatic and battery-powered guns. The system also uses standard mixing tips.
For businesses already using this type of adhesive dispensing equipment, this means Reload can be introduced without investing in an entirely new range of guns or significantly changing the application process.
Less single-use plastic
raditional two-part adhesive cartridges contain considerably more than just the adhesive itself. The cartridge body, plungers, caps and other components are generally discarded once the product has been used.
Reload replaces much of this disposable packaging with a reusable housing and lightweight foil packs.
Big Dog Adhesives states that repeatedly reusing the outer cartridge can reduce plastic waste by up to 99% compared with conventional single-use cartridges.
For busy fabrication businesses working through large quantities of adhesive, that has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of cartridge waste generated over time.
Reducing the cost of every reload
The reusable approach isn't only about reducing waste.
According to Big Dog Adhesives, Reload can offer adhesive cost savings of around 20–30% compared with traditional cartridge systems. Instead of repeatedly purchasing and disposing of a complete cartridge assembly, more of the cost is concentrated on the adhesive itself.
The result is a system designed to address both the environmental and commercial impact of disposable adhesive packaging.
Built around Big Dog Adhesives chemistry
Reload has been developed by Big Dog Adhesives, using the company's existing experience in structural MMA and epoxy adhesives.
The platform has been designed to support different chemistries, working times, applications and mix ratios, allowing the Reload concept to extend beyond a single adhesive product.
Big Dog also plans to continue expanding the range of formulations available through the Reload platform.
Reload at Marmomac 2026
We showcased the Reload system on the LPE Group stand at Marmomac 2026 in Verona, giving visitors the opportunity to see the concept first-hand alongside the wider Big Dog Adhesives range.
For us, Reload was one of the standout new products at the show. Its combination of a familiar dispensing process with a reusable cartridge system generated plenty of interest from fabricators looking at ways to reduce both consumable costs and unnecessary waste.
Coming to the UK in 2027
Reload is not currently available to order through LPE Group, but we are working towards opening UK orders in early 2027.
We'll be sharing further information on the available Reload products, formats and ordering details closer to launch.
In the meantime, you can find out more about the Reload system and how the technology works on the official Reload website.
