Art conservators faced a crisis after two key ingredients for Beva 371, a glue used to line historical canvases, were discontinued—first the resin Laropal K-80 in 2005 and then the tackifier Cellolyn 21E in 2020. Researchers from the University of Akron and New York University's Conservation Center, funded by a Getty Foundation grant, developed a new version called Beva 371 Akron. The adhesive is less toxic, less vulnerable to supply-chain issues, and available in three forms: a pre-mixed heat-seal variant, solid spaghetti-like pellets for easy transport, and a solvent-free pure adhesive.
This matters because Beva 371 has been a cornerstone of art conservation since its invention in 1972, used to stabilize countless paintings including Marc Chagall's "Paris Through a Window" (1913) at the Guggenheim Museum. The new formulation ensures conservators can continue safely lining old canvases without darkening paint layers, addressing both practical and health concerns. The collaboration between polymer scientists and conservators also sets a model for innovation in a niche field, with findings presented at the American Institute of Conservation's conference.