SEALANTS & ADHESIVES
STICKING TO SPRING TRENDS BMJ looks at some of the new trends coming through for this Spring.
S
ealants and adhesives are the unsung heroes - relied on every single day on countless projects by a range of trades from decorators and joiners to plumbers and electricians. Hannah Sumner, Senior Product Manager from Sika Everbuild says that, like many other aspects of the construction industry, the key word this Spring will be sustainability.
“This is something that merchants’ customers need to take into consideration on projects of all types more often than ever before,” she says, adding that trade customers working on commercial jobs, are increasingly being asked to prove the green credentials of all the products they use.
With government policy such as Net Zero targets and changes to building regulations aimed at improving the energy efficiency of new buildings being introduced, sustainability has come into sharp focus and become a key driver of innovation for the construction industry.
“Sika Everbuild is just one manufacturer which is playing a part in minimising the impact on the environment by reducing our reliance on virgin plastic within packaging,” she says. This year the company is rolling out new packaging manufactured using a minimum content of 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic across some of the range starting with its Stixall sealant and adhesive and Sika Fastfix jointing
compound. “This may sound like a relatively small change but we anticipate that the switch will save more than 400 tonnes of virgin plastic this year alone.”
Sumner explains that environmentally conscious changes can sometimes receive a bad rep which is why Sika Everbuild has worked with suppliers to develop the new packaging carefully.
“Hybrid products like our market-leading EB25 from Sika Everbuild, are made using advanced polymer technology to offer the super strength of an adhesive combined with the flexible filling qualities of a sealant in one product,” she explains. “This new generation of dual-function adhesives is characterised by their ability to create a high-strength bond on almost any surface and their ability to be used in both wet and dry conditions, making them great for larger projects both inside and out.
Additional benefits “Some of these next generation hybrid products, particularly EB25, have been developed to provide a number of additional benefits too. For example, some are certified for use in sanitary and food preparation areas and are resistant to temperature extremes and chemicals once cured to offer added peace of mind.”
Summer says that, with many sealants and hybrid sealant/adhesives now available in a
T TOUPRET ADDS TWO
oupret, has added two versatile flexible products to its Problem Surfaces collection both addressing substrates where movement can be a problem. Both are highly technical fillers that have the Toupret stamp of approval from builders, construction workers, painters, and decorators up and down the country. The Fill-Flex is a highly flexible filler for gaps and cracks, perfect for filling the gaps around skirting, architraves and on staircases where movement is possible. The filler is suitable for new and renovated surfaces, and it adheres to paintwork with no need to spot prime. Fill-Flex is suitable for both internal and external use.
It is available in a 310ml cartridge for use with an applicator gun and 1kg tub. Also part of the flexible product family is Skim-Flex, a fine skimcoat that remains flexible when dry, perfect for coating when treating re- appearing
cracks or substrates with some movement. It can also be used inside or outside, suitable for damp areas and is breathable. The mixture is extremely adhesive, and it can even be applied over smooth surfaces such as tiles or glass, making it an ideal skim-filling solution for kitchens and bathrooms. It can also be used for light filling up to 5mm and is ready to use straight from the 5kg tub.
February 2022
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
wide range of colours as well as the traditional choices of clear and white, manufacturers are ensuring that sealants either blend as seamlessly as possible with the surroundings or stand out, depending on the personal preference of the end user.
“With coloured products where the sealant isn’t designed to blend it but will become part of the design, it’s vital to look for products which can ensure adequate colour stability even when outdoors and exposed to UV, chemicals from cleaning products and so on,” she says. “Working closely with product manufacturers to keep up to speed is one of the best ways for merchants to arm themselves with the most up- to-date knowledge and technical information and application advice. It’s also important to make the most of any point-of-sale material that is available so that merchants keep their own product areas looking both inviting and informative.” BMJ
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BATHROOMS & SHOWERS
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