Cement glue, a before and after for the ceramics industry

Ceramics have been present in our lives since time immemorial for the decoration and cladding of most areas of the house. Historically, it was built with small pieces of great absorption until the beginning of the 20th century with the appearance of the first cementitious adhesives, by the hand of Molins, which facilitated the placement of ceramics on a greater number of supports (plaster, mortar, wood,…) and therefore, favouring the creation, manufacture and use of larger pieces.

Thus, with the appearance of these new tile formats and the need to lay them correctly, new tile installation techniques such as double gluing (a technique in which the material is first spread on the substrate and then a layer of adhesive is applied to the back of the tile) have become necessary. All these changes have made cementitious adhesives an essential tool for ceramic tile installation.

This greater flexibility of formats, thanks to the use of tile adhesive, has allowed ceramic manufacturers to optimise their processes, manufacturing pieces of up to 3 m in length, adapting it to the needs of the market and extending its application to all types of coverings.

Thus, the size of ceramic tiles has increased considerably, which means that tile installation is not only conditioned by the absorption of the pieces, but also by changes in tile formats and new materials. And it is not only the high performance materials that must be taken into account, but also the technification of the application, which has become very important.

The laying of ceramic tiles is regulated, specifically, by the UNE 138002 standard, which analyses the materials, techniques and specifications for this process. One of the main requirements for the application of large format pieces, for example, is to have a flatness in the substrate of 1.5 mm measured with a 2m ruler. This will guarantee the correct flatness of the pieces and, of course, they must be installed using the double gluing technique to ensure perfect adhesion of the pieces to the substrate, as well as the use of specific machinery and levelling systems depending on the size of the pieces used.

It is also essential to consider the fragility of this type of material and the precaution we must take when transporting and working with it. In this sense, the PAM ECOGEL range meets the requirements to guarantee the proper installation of the ceramic range. Its formula is designed for a large number of applications, including, of course, large format tile installation.

One of its many properties is that it is creamier, it has great adhesion to both the substrate and the ceramic pieces. Another is the double consistency, its technical properties do not vary with the addition of more or less water, which facilitates the work and ensures a better placement. SP gelnology also allows the professional to work without dust, thus advancing towards the demands of the future in environmental issues and the protection of the health of professionals and bringing both the material and the tile fixer closer to a much more sustainable world.

It also stands out for its flexible properties, adapting to the temperatures of its final use, and for its zero slip, as thanks to the incorporation of fibres, the adhesive is reinforced to allow greater thicknesses without sagging. In this way, Molins with its PAM ECOGEL RANGEhas positioned itself as a great ally for the handling and placement of large pieces and their own characteristics.