Sealants and adhesives, like many other products used by trade professionals, continue to evolve. Thankfully, staying ahead of the curve doesn’t have to be difficult as Professional Builder finds out.
Futureproofing? It’s a concept most of us associate with tech but not so much with building chemicals. Arguably though, we should.
After all, this product category continues to be fast moving, seeing new development after new development driven, in part, by changes in legislation, shifts in consumer demands and advances in technology.
Bond It is amongst the companies leading the charge.
As one of the UK’s largest, independent manufacturers of sealants and adhesives, the business continues to draw on its established infrastructure and 20+ years of experience to help pioneer solutions to tomorrow’s building challenges, today.
Non-stop innovation
Bond It was at the forefront in developing the latest generation of hybrid polymer sealants and adhesives, but it hasn’t been content for its focus on innovation to end there.
“Hybrids offer trade users the best of both worlds” explains Bond It’s Marketing Manager, Kirstie Cooper. “These products combine the benefits of silicone and polyurethane sealants with none of either material’s associated drawbacks.”
Like a silicone sealant, hybrid polymer products are non-bubbling, fast curing, can be applied at low temperatures and offer good UV resistance. Like a polyurethane sealant, they are tear resistant, do not pick up dirt and can be easily painted, even with water-based paints.
Another major benefit to the latest generation of hybrid sealants and adhesives is the fact they pose less risk both to people and the planet.
A winning formulation
“Health and safety, and sustainability are important priorities for the majority of construction-focused businesses – and rightly so” comments Kirstie. “Products like our Pro range of hybrid sealants and adhesives tick boxes in both areas by virtue of their formulation.”
This range is free from isocyanates, which can cause serious respiratory issues such as asthma, and from phthalates – a group of widely used plasticizers which may contribute to health conditions including low birthweight, endometriosis, decreased testosterone, ADHD, Type 2 diabetes, and breast/uterine cancer.
In addition, Bond It’s Pro range is solvent-free. The risks to human health of solvents are well documented. Many solvents are also volatile, combustible and flammable. This means additional measures and care must be taken during their use.
The same properties that make all these chemical groups harmful to humans also makes them toxic to other living organisms and to the wider environment.
Perhaps unsurprisingly then, there are growing regulations and restrictions around their use.
Switching to hybrid sealants and adhesives now may enable trade users to avoid future, restrictive, legal red tape and even to pre-empt any eventual outright ban.
An easier choice
Being safer to work also make hybrid sealants and adhesives easier to use.
Kirstie explains: “From a functionality point of the view, the cutting-edge formulation of hybrid products like Bond It’s Pro range offers several distinct advantages. They will adhere to most surfaces, even when those surfaces are damp, they can be used for interior and exterior applications, and they are easy to tool and finish.
“Their odourless nature also makes them popular on domestic projects. They allow trade professionals to bond and seal without leaving behind the lingering and often overpowering smell of solvent-based products for the homeowner.”
Concluding, Kirstie adds: “Modern, hybrid sealants and adhesives are products with possibilities. They can deliver benefits at every stage and in an increasingly broad spectrum of ways. Plus, they will continue to advance as manufacturers like Bond It explore new technologies – and new ways of adding value.”
For further information on the Bond It range visit https://bond-it.co.uk/sealants/
