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Loba: The New Factory Line

LOBA launches finish for levelling compounds, now available for the Irish market: Loba: The New Factory Line.

The water-based Factory line consists of the FactoryBase primer and the 2K FactoryStyle finish. It preserves the natural colouring and appearance of decorative levelling compounds and provides a wide range of design options creating a timeless industrial look. The low-emission system set-up transforms cement-based levelling compounds into slip-resistant floors with high mechanical resistance.

Factory Base

Water-based roller primer for cement-based levelling compounds for direct use.

  • Easy and safe application
  • Time efficient through application in a 2-coat system (1x primer 1x finish)
  • Optimizes adhesion between levelling compound and finish
  • Applicable in a system with LOBA 2K FactoryStyle and numerous levelling compounds
  • 2K FactoryStyle

– extra matte

2K water-based polyurethane finish for cementitious levelling compounds for direct use

Properties

  • Particularly low emission according to EMICODE EC1 Plus
  • Uniform matt surface
  • Wide range of applications also in public areas due to anti-slip R9
  • Time efficient through application in a 2-coat system (1x primer 1x finish)

Contact your local Ardex Building Products representative to talk about your technical requirements, the product suitability to your on-site situation including the substrate, the recommended compatible levelling compounds for Loba The New Factory Line.

New Photovoltaic Systems Globally: ARDEX Invests in Sustainable Energy

Investing in electricity from solar power

Greater independence in the event of possible energy shortages, high CO2 savings: ARDEX has commissioned a 3,200 square meter photovoltaic (PV) system at its headquarters in Witten. It is part of a global sustainability initiative in which the company is investing around 3 million euros.

ARDEX Invests in Sustainable Energy

ARDEX Germany

The high-performance PV system at ARDEX Germany in Witten was installed on the roofs of their new logistics centre, which includes a warehouse, shipping and adjacent buildings, and of Plant 1. It supplements the existing small system from 2017 on the roof of the research and development centre and increases electricity generation from solar energy many times over. The expansion is set to continue in the first quarter of next year, with further solar panels for Plant 2.

“We expect a yield of more than 570,000 kWh, which is roughly equivalent to the consumption of 160 households,” says Dr. Hubert Motzet. As the Managing Director Technical, he is responsible for sustainability issues. In the first quarter of next year, the expansion will continue, says Dr. Motzet: “Then we will also equip Plant 2 with solar panels on an area of around 1,750 square meters. That will be another 320,000 kWh per year.”

In addition, PV systems are being installed at other ARDEX sites. Some of the projects have already been implemented, including the one at ARDEX subsidiary Seire in Madrid (Spain) and at ARDEX Denmark in Hedensted. ARDEX Austria will install a system later this year, and ARDEX UK in early 2023.

Sustainability is an opportunity

ARDEX recognises that renewable energies are becoming increasingly important and has included them in the plans for many new buildings.

“Of course, this pays off in the current energy crisis because it makes us a bit more independent of current prices and possible energy shortages,” says Dr. Hubert Motzet. But that is not the only reason for the high investments. “We have made it our mission to become more and more sustainable. The PV plants in Germany and worldwide are a building block of our sustainability strategy. This alone will save us more than 1,300 tons of CO2 per year from 2023.”

Making packaging “greener”: That is the goal of the ARDEX Group worldwide. Because acting sustainably and responsibly is part of the company’s DNA. The recycling of materials and the use of IBC containers is intended to noticeably reduce waste volumes and CO2 emissions. Three of many examples of sustainable approaches at ARDEX.

ARDEX Scandinavia: new buckets, same top quality

ARDEX in Scandinavia just introduced new buckets, that are made of 75% recycled plastic (PCR). And the only difference between the new 5- and 20-kg buckets and the old ones is the colour: Many buckets are now partially grey instead of white.

“We teamed up with our plastics supplier to change these buckets. After all, this is the area where we use the most plastic. The supplier was immediately on board and excited about providing buckets made from recycled plastic“, says Michael Nielsen, Managing Director of ARDEX Scandinavia.

ARDEX Germany: Grout in a recycled bucket

Meanwhile in Germany, ARDEX G 10 grout is one of the first products made from recycled plastic. At the same time ARDEX has changed the shape of the buckets.

“We started in two places: the material and the size of the buckets. By using recycled plastic alone, we save 75% of CO2 emissions. In addition, the new bucket helps us close the material cycle because it can be recycled again afterwards. And the bucket is narrower. As a result, it requires less material and we can now fit 90 buckets on a pallet instead of 60. This also reduces emissions generated during transport.”
Dr. Julia Soldat, Sustainability Officer of the ARDEX Group

There are also other positive effects: Less plastic has to be produced, thus, less plastic waste ends up in landfills – and ultimately less in the oceans.

Wakol: recyclable and IBC containers

Wakol, the global producer of flooring installation products, is taking a two-pronged approach to sustainable packaging. On the one hand, more and more containers are being produced with PCR. The share is between 30 and 50% – the higher the PCR content, the darker the colour of the container. Customers can also easily identify the recycled packaging by a logo on the label. The aim is to save 150 metric tons of new plastics by the end of 2022 with these new containers.

On the other hand, WAKOL uses IBC containers for the distribution of larger quantities, especially for sealants and industrial adhesives. They can be returned to the container supplier for reconditioning – which is free of charge for Wakol customers throughout Europe. The IBC supplier then only replaces individual components, after which it can be used again.

The purpose of this seminar is to bring to you some of the specialist knowledge we’ve gathered and developed during the years, in the selection and installation of large format tiles and panels.

It is our aim to inform you of the key issues in choosing and installing internal large format tiles and panels, and help you gain confidence in specifying these in any contract or project.

Throughout this floor tiling solutions seminar we will highlight the common problems and watch-points, and at the end of the session we will summarise all the relevant information.

As well as the specifier benefits listed, BAL are a trusted partner for commercial projects.

For external tiling we are the exclusive partner in Ireland and the UK of our sister company Gutjahr, a specialist German construction company with over 25 years commercial experience. BAL’s full solution for external tiling is the only true full system for one manufacturer in the UK (providing mats, drainage, edging … through to adhesives, grouts and sealants).

Gutjahr have:

  • A portfolio of prestigious  projects successes across Northern Europe over 25 years.
  • Are the inventor of the passive capillary surface drainage system.
    • This system has even become standard in Germany since 2002, being incorporated into the standards for external floor coverings of the German Construction Industry Association (ZDB).
    • Winner of multiple awards including: honours as a “TOP 100” company – a prestigious  listing of the most innovative of Germany’s medium-sized enterprises, plus multiple Heinze Architect Darling Awards.

The experience of Gutjahr and BAL together with market-leading innovation from our UK and global R&D teams for full tiling systems ensures the highest quality specification.

This is supported with a stringent commitment to quality; with every batch of BAL product fully tested and issued with a 25-year product guarantee.

The balance between aesthetic qualities and practicality is the key to successfully specifying tiling products. Incorrect specification can of course potentially lead to significant problems or even failure.

It is vital to select the right type of substrate that is both capable of supporting a rigid tiled finish and the anticipated service conditions without excessive movement or deflection.

For Heavily trafficked areas, consideration needs to be given to the type and nature of trafficking imposed upon the tiling installations i.e. static and/or dynamic loading. Correct selection of suitbable substrates and materials materials i.e  tile type and thickness, suitable tile adhesives and grouts also need to be taken into consideration.

There will be time allowed at the end of this seminar and we will be pleased to answer any questions or discuss any points raised during the presentation.

If you would like to find out more about our CPD’s in floor tiling solutions, please contact us.