ADHESIVES & GROUTS THE FUTURE IS LIGHT


The experts from adhesives specialist Mapei discuss the benefits of using lightweight adhesives.


For a number of years, lightweight adhesives have been produced for the UK market by varying manufacturers. Many of these adhesives have not necessarily made it to the mainstream shelves due to the lack of knowledge and understanding of how these products work.


To simplify things, lighter weight adhesives usually come packaged at 12.5kg, which can cover approximately the equivalent of a standard 20kg material, or 15kg which will cover the equivalent to 25kg. This can have a major impact on the transportation.


If we look at a typical articulated lorry load, we would be looking at around 24 pallet spaces – on each pallet we would have 48 bags of 20kg adhesive. If we take into consideration that each bag will cover approximately 5 sqm, we could fix 5,760 sqm of tiles. When we change this to a 15kg lightweight material, we would have 24 pallets each with 50 bags, and a coverage of 8 sqm, allowing us to be able to install approximately 9,600 sqm. From this, we are getting more meterage on a load, but we are also decreasing the load strain on the transport from 23,040kg to 18,000kg; this would save on fuel and vehicle costs, therefore producing less emissions. While this is true of products that are produced in the UK, products that are imported would not share this benefit. This example is merely based on lorry loads, but, when we scale it down, the benefit also runs to the tile installer’s van – more adhesive, more coverage, less weight, less strain on the vehicle, and less fuel used would mean less costs for the individual.


Using spherical raw materials in the products, such as glass beads, has great benefits for the tile installer. Rolling a spherical object along a flat surface is far easier than rolling an angular material. Although these particles are microscopic when they are bulked in mass, the reality is that the lightweight product produced with glass beads will spread easier than the standard adhesive, which is bulked using angular sand.


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This means that the trowel ability of the product is lighter and easier. This, in turn, would provide less strain on the arms, shoulder, neck, and back of the tile installer.


When purchasing lightweight adhesives, the first thing that you might notice is the price. The shelf price always appears to be more as you are purchasing less of the product for the same price and, while this could apply to typical adhesives, the cost per sqm must be considered when purchasing lightweight adhesives. Costs in time and transportation must also be taken into account, as previously explained. Once all of this is considered, it becomes clear that, while the cost difference may not appear that great, there are vast improvements to health and environmental benefits.


One of Mapei’s biggest focuses is on the development of lightweight, green materials. The advancements of these materials require a higher level of research and development, which is reflected in the work at our 18 R&D laboratories across the world. The process of developing such materials, particularly in the lightweight range, is something Mapei takes pride in.


New to the Mapei range is Ultralite D2. We have developed a lightweight, brilliant white, ready-mixed adhesive that is easy to trowel, has very good non-slip properties, and also has the benefits of being lightweight and easy to transport.


At Mapei we strongly believe that the future for tile adhesives is in lightweight products. The many benefits for the environment, with the use of recycled materials and lower transport levels, paired with the health and safety of the installers and those who handle the materials, as well as the benefits in the performance of materials, demonstrates that we are at the forefront of technology in the manufacture of adhesives and grouts.


www.mapei.com/GB-EN/default.asp www.tomorrowstileandstone.co.uk


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