Sustainability remains a hot topic and as tradespeople are coming under more pressure to specify greener, more sustainable products where possible, manufacturers are working hard to develop products which meet the new criteria. Hannah Sumner, Senior Product Manager at Sika Everbuild — a manufacturer which is committed to supporting UN Sustainability Goals — updates merchants on its most recent sustainability developments.
While sustainability regulations are becoming increasingly important, at the moment it’s a choice for trade users to make depending on which products best suit the individual project requirements. However, Sika Everbuild says it is committed to providing its customers with a range of products to suit different situations and requirements which is why Pinkgrip MS was launched as an addition to the company’s range and not as a replacement.
Launched earlier this year, the new grab adhesive was developed in response to growing demand for low VOC products for use on sites where solvent limits are a requirement. Part of the popular Pinkgrip range, the new product has been manufactured using the latest hybrid polymer technology to bring together the application and performance benefits of both the original solvent-based Pinkgrip and solvent-free Pinkgrip SF products.
As with any low VOC product, Pinkgrip MS is not just better for the environment but it’s also more pleasant to use. Crucially though, the product has been rigorously tested by Sika Everbuild to make sure that its low solvent formula does not come at the expense of performance.
In fact, Pinkgrip MS has been developed to offer users more benefits as it comes with very few application barriers. This means that as well as increased weather resistance, making it suitable for both interior and exterior projects, it will stick virtually any two materials together — ensuring it is a versatile and reliable grab adhesive.
All three products which make up the Pinkgrip range (Pinkgrip, Pinkgrip SF and now Pinkgrip MS) are designed to meet the requirements of different projects giving users the choice depending on the individual project and site requirements.
“With such a wide range of products available including new products being introduced or improvements being made, merchants need to tap into the expertise of manufacturers to keep up to speed on product developments so they’re in a position to advise their customers.”
Green light on sustainability
Like many manufacturers, Sika Everbuild has been working continuously towards the goal of improving its overall sustainability which includes improving its existing range and introducing new products as well as investing in its manufacturing facilities and packaging.
Perhaps the most obvious change merchants will have started to see from Sika Everbuild is the move to PCR plastic packaging — that is, ‘post-consumer recycled plastic’. The new packaging is currently being rolled out across its range with Stixall sealant and adhesive and Sika Fastfix jointing compound already sporting the new packing.
Sika Everbuild has calculated that by making the move to PCR packing, it will save more than 400 tonnes of virgin plastic from being used this year alone. The company is also in the process of refreshing various in-store POS materials which will soon be created using strong cardboard rather than plastic too.
As well as packaging, the manufacturing process itself also adds to a product’s embedded carbon so any improvements that can be made here will have a knock-on effect on a product’s sustainability. Las year for example, Sika Everbuild installed 600 new solar panels at its factory in Leeds which will offer a projected emissions savings of more than 228 g CO2/kWh per year — helping to reduce its overall carbon footprint.
Sika chemists have also recently developed Purform — a revolutionary new polyurethane technology to meet future environmental and health regulations. It’s a sustainable and high-performance alternative to traditional polyurethane that is clean, durable and reliable.
And as well as its enhanced sustainability credentials, Purform delivers exceptional product application and performance properties, including creep resistance, tear resistance and bubble free curing. It also cures faster (even at lower temperatures) and lasts longer. The first UK products to benefit from its ultra-low VOC and low monomer content are Sikaflex Pro-3 and Sikaflex 11FC sealant and adhesive.
With such a wide range of products available including new products being introduced or improvements being made, merchants need to tap into the expertise of manufacturers to keep up to speed on product developments so they’re in a position to advise their customers.
Having an understanding of the pros and cons of different products, merchants will be able to effectively help their customers choose the product that’s right for their project and manufacturers like Sika Everbuild are an excellent resource to draw on.
Clcik here for more information on Sika Everbuild’s range of products and support services for merchants.
A version of this article appeared in the July/August edition of PBM. Click here to read the full digital issue.
