Jim Percival, Technical Director at Palace Chemicals, describes how the trend towards the adoption of the latest generation of tile adhesives is helping the sector move towards improved sustainability
Sustainability is a key customer requirement in today’s construction industry. Manufacturers, contractors and specifiers are looking for solutions that reduce environmental impact while maintaining the required level of performance. There is a strong argument that tiles themselves are a highly sustainable solution for walls and floors, due to their durability, recyclability and the contribution they make to the thermal mass of a building, improving its energy efficiency, especially when installed in conjunction with underfloor heating systems.
Tile adhesives and grouts are also increasingly being developed with sustainability in mind. Among the most significant innovations in this area is the incorporation of lightweight and recycled materials into adhesive formulations.
Traditionally tile adhesives were manufactured from virgin primary raw materials, and therefore contributed to the overall carbon footprint of a construction project. However as environmental regulations tighten and demand for enhanced sustainability grows, manufacturers are exploring ways to minimise resource consumption and improve the sustainability of their products. Lightweight and recycled materials offer an effective pathway to achieving these objectives.
Lightweight fillers can significantly reduce the density of tile adhesives, enabling manufacturers to produce products that require less raw material in kgs per square metre of installation. Meanwhile the inclusion of recycled materials reduces the cement content (and carbon footprint) of the product and further enhances the sustainability credentials of tile adhesives.
Lightweight adhesives also contribute to lower transport emissions, because more product can be transported in a single shipment, reducing fuel consumption and carbon emissions throughout the supply chain. This benefit becomes increasingly significant on larger projects where material volumes are substantial.
Importantly, the adoption of lightweight and recycled materials does not have to come at the expense of performance, and they actually make the products easier to work with. Advances in formulation technology have enabled manufacturers to develop sustainable tile adhesives that continue to deliver excellent bond strength, workability, durability and compliance with industry standards. Palace Chemicals’ own EXTRA-LITE range is an example of these types of products.
As the tiling sector generally continues its transition towards more sustainable practices, tile adhesives and grouts featuring lightweight and recycled materials will play an increasingly important role. They offer a practical means of reducing environmental impact while supporting efficiency, resource conservation and long-term building performance.
