By Louis Iannaco
If it seems adhesive companies are developing more innovative, easier-to-clean nd environmentally safe products ll the time, that’s because they are. And there were no shortage of new products at Surfaces, where numerous companies came out to strut their stuff.

At the Stauf booth, president Wolfgang Stauf was getting the word out about the company by targeting the distribution channel as well as the installer. “We have to let them know what makes our product different from everybody else’s.”

The company’s new SMP-960 and 940 MS polymers represent the latest advancement in wood flooring adhesive technology and were big hits at the show. Both are moisture-cured products that contain no water, no isocyanates and no solvents or VOCs.

“We have several unique products no one else in the industry has with our polymer and other products, which have been reformulated,” said Frank Potter, director of sales/operations.

“They have no harmful VOCs or environmental issues that the old solvent-based products used to have. Experienced installers who have used urethane adhesives prefer this new technology because it makes spreading the adhesive and clean up afterward so much easier.”

At the W.F. Taylor booth, Mihir Gandhi, marketing coordinator, said MS Plus, the company’s newest product, received a great reception at the show and noted the company has been environmentally conscious for quite a while. “We’ve had a green initiative for years. All of a sudden many other companies in flooring are following suit. This has always been our main objective, even when we are planning and developing the products, that they meet all third-party testings—no VOCs or solvents. It’s critical.”

At the DriTac booth, marketing manager John Lio was happy with the way the company’s new products were greeted. “The two biggest things for us are our family of green products, which includes a trio of wood flooring adhesives, one concrete moisture control system, a urethane adhesive remover and repair kit. The second item is our new 8000 Moisture Guard, which is a concrete moisture barrier and crack suppressant.”

One adhesive receiving praise was its 9200 Fas Tac polymeric resin with urethane, high solids wood flooring adhesive. A wet-lay adhesive, 9200 inhibits the growth of bacteria and mold and has zero VOCs. The 9200 FasTac is available in 1- and 4-gallon containers.

As part of the firm’s dedication to the green building movement, DriTac has also developed 7500 Eco-Urethane Premium Wood Flooring Adhesive. When used in conjunction with MCS 7000 Concrete Sealer, DriTac offers a completely green wood flooring installation.

Mapei also had several environmentally friendly products displayed at the show, including a few from its Floor Covering Installation Systems (FCIS) product line. The Ultrabond ECO line of flooring adhesives has low or no VOCs, while many FCIS products contain BioBlock technology to help inhibit the growth of various types of odor- and stain-causing mold, mildew and bacteria.

The main feature at the UFloor Systems booth, said Matthias Liebert, CEO was UZIN MK 95, a solvent- and water-free polyurethane wood flooring adhesive with hard elastic properties. MK 95 features a quick drying time, and can be sanded and finished after just 24 hours.

A one-component polyurethane adhesive, he said MK 95 is suitable for commercial or residential installations of moisture-sensitive wood. MK 95 sets rapidly yet has a sufficient working time of 50 to 60 minutes. This hard elastic adhesive has no swelling effect due to excellent trowel-ridge formations, which secure the wood flooring to the substrate, limiting any potential deflection in the wood.

Laticrete International announced several initiatives at Surfaces, including the completion of several new plants, the use of state-of- he-art, green technology, and new products such as its 125 Anti-Fracture Mortar, PermaColor grout, 312 Vapor Reduction Membrane, as well as adhesives.