BEVA 371 through the years – a consistent brand with a variable formulation

Since its introduction in the early 1970s, BEVA 371 has been one of the most commonly used heat-seal adhesives in restoration. Well established across a wide range of specialist fields, it is used in particular for the lining of paintings. Its key advantages include malleability, reversibility and compatibility with numerous materials. However, changes to the formulation over the years have led to altered properties, such as an increase in the activation temperature, which is of crucial importance for the safety of works of art. A comprehensive overview of the complex product history and application properties of BEVA 371 is provided in an article published by the speakers in the *Journal of Cultural Heritage*, Vol. 77, 2026 (www.sciencedirect.com/science/article) . It approaches the subject from a conservation science perspective and combines decades of research findings, manufacturer’s specifications and the authors’ own research results.

The lecture will summarise the key points of the article. As BEVA 371 continues to play a crucial role in conservation, a thorough understanding of the adhesive’s properties is essential for assessing past, present and future applications of BEVA 371 that we will encounter in conservation practice.

In the final section, we will discuss the most recent changes to the old formulation of BEVA 371, which resulted from the study funded by the Getty Institute and involving various research institutions from around the world. These changes have led to the development of a new formulation known as BEVA 371 AKRON.