A SEAL OF APPROVAL


Norcros Adhesives discusses how the company is working to improve sustainability of its entire business.


Norcros Adhesives won the Tile Association Award for Best Environmental Initiative in both 2016 and 2017. Since the 2017 Award was presented, nearly a year ago, the company has not been resting on its laurels, but in fact has broadened its work to further reduce any negative environmental impact of all aspects of its business.


The adhesive manufacturer’s work on environmental improvement goes back to the time of its founding. Since the earliest days it has been the intention to eliminate waste going to landfill. This zero target was achieved during 2015, a major achievement for a large scale manufacturing business. In the same year the company also achieved the environmental standard ISO14001 for its work to reduce waste and improve resource efficiency.


Norcros Adhesives has invested large sums of capital in modern, fully-automated manufacturing and packaging plant. This investment has enabled the development of lean manufacturing techniques for the high- volume production of polymer modified powder adhesives, grouts and screeds, together with professional, high- performance dispersion adhesives.


In the last two years Norcros Adhesives launched its most environmentally- friendly products yet. Firstly, Norcros Pro 30 Fast Track Eco Levelling Compound, of which the main constituent is crushed glass, rather than quarried materials. Usage of this product therefore promotes recycling, rather than the exploitation of limited natural resources.


This launch was followed up a year later with the eco-friendly Norcros Pro Ply Tile Backer Board. This is a new solution for creating a surface which can be tiled on to. It is a high-performance, water-resistant backer board, which is both mould-resistant and exceptionally strong. The features of the product


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make it a superior choice compared to wood, gypsum or plaster-based boards. It has a Class A1 non-combustibility fire rating and a lifetime guarantee, like all Norcros Adhesives products.


From an environmental point of view, it does not contain crystalline silica, so it is better for the installer. It is also asbestos- free and, containing no cellulose, is resistant to mould growth. It contains mineral-based magnesium oxide, and critically very little CO2


is emitted during the product’s manufacture.


Norcros Pro Ply Tile Backer Board may be fixed using an appropriate C2 adhesive, such as Norcros Rapid Porcelain Grey Adhesive. The same adhesive can also be used to bond tiles directly on to the backer board, with the grout joints being filled using an appropriate grout.


Norcros Adhesives is now proud to be a member of the Supply Chain Sustainability School. Launched in 2012, the Sustainability School is a programme designed to promote sustainability in construction supply chains. It has more than 14,000 members and it provides free practical support in the form of e-learning modules, tailored self-assessment and action plans, sustainability training and networking.


The UK Construction Strategy 2025 forms the background to the Supply Chain Sustainability School. This sets out clear ambitions for the construction industry - including the emission of 50% less CO2


and a


50% improvement on speed of job completion with 33% less cost. It is acknowledged these are challenging targets, which the School is committed to help achieve, in partnership with business leaders and managers who are prepared to adapt their businesses to meet these challenges.


In only 12 months Norcros Adhesives has achieved Gold member status


within the School, indicating a high level of engagement with its activities, in terms of accessing its resources, undergoing assessments and attending School events such as training workshops and supplier days.


An independent third party, Action Sustainability, delivers the work of the School and all partners sign up to a Code of Ethics. Over a period of time, the School aims to drive up awareness and understanding of sustainability issues in the supply chain nationally within the construction industry.


www.nxadh.co.uk SUSTAINABILITY FOCUS | 15


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