The current public debate in Germany surrounding the building energy act (Gebäudeenergiegesetz) and its focus on future-oriented heating technologies certainly has some merit. However, they represent only a single jigsaw puzzle piece to climate protection and an affordable, crisis-proof energy supply. Several major climate studies, including a long-term scenario of the German federal government, show that CO2 neutrality cannot be achieved without significantly improving the energy efficiency of buildings. Because renewable energy will remain in limited supply for the foreseeable future. We have to optimize consumption to maintain prices at an affordable level and protect the energy network. To be successful, a strategy must also actively promote measures to increase the energy efficiency of buildings and press forward with feasible efforts to double the renovation rate by 2030 as called for by the European Commission. Only this way can be ensured that the technology used in buildings is supported in its purpose by the building envelope.
Support measures for redevelopment demanded
Maik Johanntoberens, global product manager at Jowat SE, believes that the current framework stymies a holistic approach. According to his assessment, “we need to promote and use more innovative renovation methods if we are to refurbish and prepare the existing building stock for the future within the set time frame.”
The adhesive manufacturer Jowat draws on extensive expertise in the manufacture of building elements facilitated by many years of experience. Jowat bonding technologies are used for almost all building applications, such as the insulation of roofs and walls, the production of window or door frames, the manufacturing of load-bearing timber parts, the lamination of roof underlayment or shading elements, or the manufacture of air filters. The adhesives used all comply with the different certification or standard requirements applicable to the specific component—be it in terms of energy efficiency, moisture resistance or fire safety. “We are familiar with the requirements for the different standards and certifications and develop tailor-made adhesives,” emphasizes Maik Johanntoberens. “Building element and material manufacturers therefore feel confident and reassured when they use our bonding solutions.”
Serial redevelopment has potential
Jowat’s product manager believes that the serial refurbishment concept has immense potential for the thermal renovation of existing buildings in particular. The concept relies on modular building elements that have been prefabricated, such as insulation panels for walls or roofs. The prefabricated components are delivered ready for use, which means that the work on site can be finished much quicker and at significantly lower costs compared to traditional renovation methods. Modern adhesives are an established bonding technology for those applications or can open doors for the realization of innovative and often complex composite products of tomorrow.
Green Adhesives
Jowat supplies a comprehensive portfolio of green adhesives to facilitate the sustainable bonding of building elements. The adhesive manufacturer pursues a holistic approach with its Green Adhesives, aimed at developing 360° sustainable adhesives that do not require any compromise of bonding quality nor of process reliability or cost effectiveness. Jowat looks at the bonding process from several different angles to determine how sustainable it is: What raw materials are used in the formulation of the adhesive? What impact does the adhesive have on the consumer? What impact does the adhesive have on processors during the bonding application? And how does the adhesive influence the actual bonding process? Green Adhesives have been developed taking all these sustainability aspects into account and therefore can support every manufacturing company in its efforts towards more responsible and environmentally compatible bonding processes.
Biobased formulations
The biobased or recycling-based adhesives of this product range are the ideal partners for companies who are looking for a way to significantly and verifiably increase the use of sustainable raw materials in their production. The established product lines Jowatherm® GROW and Jowacoll® GROW already provide adhesives with a biobased content and, at the same time, facilitate energy-saving bonding processes with optimized maintenance.
Another major focus of Jowat in the development of green adhesives are aspects that could impact human health. Low-pollutant and low-emission bonding solutions benefit consumers in the long term due to the small amount of substances that could be a health concern. For example, Jowat has successfully developed D3 and D4 dispersion adhesives with significantly reduced formaldehyde emissions compared to their previous version by using an optimized manufacturing procedure.
In responsibility
Commitment to increased occupational safety is another hallmark of sustainable and responsible companies. Employers are responsible for the health and safety of their employees. The generally easy transition to PUR hot melt adhesives with hazard-free labeling or solvent-based adhesives with a high solids content provides an effective way to reduce the hazard potential at the workplace and increase occupational safety. “Our Jowatherm-Reaktant® MR product range provides powerful hazard-free alternatives of our conventional PUR hot melt adhesives for almost any application,” says Maik Johanntoberens.
And last but not least, resource conservation also plays an essential role in the development of sustainable bonding solutions: Jowat supports energy-efficient manufacturing processes with high-yield or low-temp hot melt adhesives.
In pursuit of a shared goal
Comprehensive expertise in the different adhesive applications of the building and construction supply industry, dovetailed with a high commitment to the attainment of the global sustainability goals: The powerful product portfolio of Jowat opens doors for the manufacturing of building elements as sustainable as possible and thereby also for chances of success of serial refurbishment measures. “If we want to implement the European Green Deal, there is no alternative to the thermal renovation of our housing stock, just like there is no alternative to the thermal insulation of new buildings,” summarizes Jowat’s product manager. “Innovative sandwich assemblies are inconceivable without modern adhesives. The combination of different materials and their properties is the key to energy-efficient buildings. By providing a comprehensive range of sustainable bonding solutions and high-quality services, we do our part as a competent partner to the construction industry to help achieve the sustainability goals set.
The article is published in the magazine ''bauelemente bau 10/2023" in German language. You can download the original article down below.