a water sensitive hot melt adhesive composition based on polyalkyleneimine copolymers for use with articles such as paper products , disposable nonwoven products , tapes , labels and packaging materials . by varying the amount of copolymer included in the composition as well as by varying the chain structure and the ratio of soluble versus insoluble repeating units in the copolymer , an adhesive may be formulated to modify the degree of solubility from 100 % to 0 % soluble in water and / or other performance characteristics . the adhesive composition includes about 10 % to about 70 %, by weight , of a polyalkyleneimine copolymer or a blend of one or more polyalkyleneimine copolymers ; about 0 % to about 70 %, by weight , of a tackifying resin ; about 10 % to about 70 %, by weight , of a compatible plasticizer ; and about 0 . 1 % to about 3 % by weight of one or more antioxidant . the adhesive maintains the article in an assembled condition by providing adequate adhesive bond strength during normal use , but dissolves in the presence of water thereby permitting the article to be recycled or otherwise disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner .