Anti-slip tackifier secures tiles
01 April 2011
THE flooring industry makes rather conflicting demands on backing materials which are required to be securely installed yet removable without residues. However, Henkel has launched a new anti-slip film that aims to achieve just that.
In view of the ever-changing range of backing materials used for loose-lay carpet tiles, Henkel has through Thomsit – its special brand for flooring technology – aligned its anti-slip dispersion T 435 Tackifier for fleece-backed floor coverings to the changing requirements.
“Increasingly, floor layers need to tackle the task of installing carpet tiles with a fleece backing tiles that can later be removed,” says a spokesman for Henkel. “This is done for various understandable reasons. Cavity or raised access floors, for instance, require flexible and non-destructive access to the cable ducts hidden underneath.
“Quick, easy and non-destructive removal of floor coverings is also an important feature where short renovation cycles need to be taken into account. This is the case in buildings with a high turnover of tenants or where the intended use of premises may change at short notice, for example, in office buildings, administrative authorities and shopping mall outlets.”
He continues: “These days, individually-designed floors are becoming increasingly popular. For this reason, there is a growing demand for loose-lay carpet tiles and loose-lay floor elements – so-called modules or panels – of approximately 1 to 2 sq m size.”
Apart from Thomsit T 425, a well-tried tackifier for many years, Henkel now offers T 435 anti-slip tackifier to complement its range. It has been especially designed for the slip-resistant installation of loose-lay carpet tiles or panels equipped with a fabric-backed heavy coating or a smooth APO backing.
“Thomsit T 435 is easily and economically applied by roller. Moreover, the product developers formulated an anti-slip dispersion that has not only been certified as ‘very low emission’ (EC 1) in compliance with GEV Emicode but can also be used on virtually all substrates,” says the spokesman.
Thomsit T 435 anti-slip tackifier is suitable for cavity and raised access floors, he says. It adheres to well-bonded old floor coverings as well as to all other substrates that are ready to receive flooring in commercial and domestic areas.
Although the carpet tiles or other modular floorings are optimally prevented from shifting, they can be easily removed and re-used, if necessary, he adds.
Henkel operates worldwide with leading brands and technologies in three business areas: laundry and home care, cosmetics/toiletries and adhesive technologies.
It is the world market leader in adhesives, sealants and surface treatments for consumers, craftsmen and industrial applications, offering a well-balanced portfolio of international, regional and local brands.
