Systemic innovation: Upcycled polymer adhesives mimic mussel biology to enable circular material flows and reduce industrial waste

Indigenous adhesive technologies, such as Māori *pūrākau* (oral traditions) and Amazonian *copaiba* resins, demonstrate centuries-old biomimicry principles that modern science is only now 'discovering.' These systems integrate ecological cycles, ensuring adhesives biodegrade without persistent pollution, unlike synthetic polymers. The erasure of such knowledge in favor of lab-based solutions reflects a colonial epistemology that devalues traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in favor of Western scientific validation.

The history of adhesives is tied to colonial extractivism, where natural resins (e.g., shellac, copal) were commodified and replaced by synthetic polymers post-WWII, driven by the petrochemical industry. The 1950s saw the rise of epoxy and polyurethane adhesives, which prioritized durability over biodegradability, embedding linear material flows into global economies. This shift coincided with the decline of traditional adhesive practices, as industrialization centralized material innovation in corporate labs rather than community-based systems.

Cross-culturally, adhesive innovation has been decentralized, with Pacific Island communities using shellac for boat repair, African potters employing plant gums, and South Asian artisans using natural latex from rubber trees. These systems often operate within circular economies, where materials are reused until fully biodegraded, contrasting with the linear 'take-make-waste' model of modern adhesives. The mussel-inspired adhesive thus represents a convergence of Western biomimicry with Indigenous circularity, though the latter remains underacknowledged.

The adhesive's strength derives from catechol-based chemistry, mimicking mussel foot proteins that adhere underwater via reversible covalent bonds. This aligns with green chemistry principles, reducing reliance on fossil-fuel-derived polymers and toxic solvents. However, the scientific narrative often overlooks the energy-intensive processes required to upcycle waste plastics into high-performance adhesives, which may offset some environmental benefits.

In many cultures, adhesives are not merely functional but carry spiritual significance, such as in Japanese *washi* paper-making where adhesives symbolize impermanence and renewal. The mussel-inspired adhesive's reversibility could inspire artistic movements exploring 'ephemeral permanence'—works designed to be disassembled and reused, reflecting Buddhist and Indigenous ontologies of cyclical existence. This spiritual dimension is absent in mainstream narratives, which frame innovation solely through utilitarian metrics.

Future scenarios suggest that widespread adoption of such adhesives could disrupt the $50B+ global adhesive market, particularly in construction, automotive, and electronics, where disassembly is critical for recycling. However, without policy mandates for biodegradable or reusable adhesives, market forces may favor cheaper, toxic alternatives. Scenario modeling indicates that integrating these innovations with extended producer responsibility (EPR) laws could reduce plastic waste by 30% by 2040, but corporate resistance and infrastructure gaps remain barriers.

Marginalized communities, particularly in the Global South, bear the brunt of plastic pollution yet have limited access to such innovations due to patent barriers and lack of infrastructure. Indigenous scientists and engineers, such as those in the Māori-led *Te Ao Māori* materials science movement, are developing bio-adhesives but struggle for funding and recognition. The narrative also ignores the labor of waste pickers in Global South countries, who are essential to recycling economies but are often exploited and criminalized.