The present invention provides switchable adhesives comprising a mixture in proportions by weight of 20 % to 98 % of an adhesive 2 % to 80 % of curable molecules and 0.05 % to 10 % of photoinitiator in which the weight proportion of the adhesive is calculated on the basis of its dry weight and wherein the adhesive includes an internal cross linker for cross linking the adhesive during drying to provide a cohesive strength of between 5 and 100 N/12.7x12.7mm measured according to FINAT test method No. 18. Preferably the adhesive and curable molecules are mutually soluble when dry or the curable molecules and adhesive may be uniformly dispersed in each other. Preferably the amount of adhesive in the mixture is in the range 40 % to 98 % by weight more preferably 60% to 95% by weight even more preferably 70% to 85 % by weight. Preferably the proportion of curable molecules in the mixture ranges from 2% to 60 % by weight more preferably 5% to 40 % by weight even more preferably 15 % to 30 % by weight. Preferably the photoinitiator is present in the mixture in the proportions 0.5 % to 5 % by weight more preferably 1 % to 3 % by weight. Such switchable adhesives are useful in medical dressings and other removable sheet products and may be simply prepared by stirring the adhesive the curable molecules and the photoinitiator together at room temperature.
