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drymix.info Newsletter 248/2021; ISSN Number 1613-0111; 25. February 2021

1. Abstracts from Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2021: LPM AG and Calucem GmbH
2. New Concept for 5th MORTAR CONVENTION: Three Days from 27. to 29 April 2021
3. DAW Sells Production and Branding of Lithodecor
4. Sika Takes over Russian Drymix Mortar Manufacturer Kreps
5. Tikkurila Takeover: PPG Submits Highest Bid
6. Messe Berlin Decides to Terminate Bautec Exhibition

1. Abstracts from Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2021: LPM and Calucem

R. Zurbriggen, LPM AG: Extended Open Time – the Need for Standardization of an Essential Characteristic of Tile Adhesives

The EN 12004 defines the characteristics of ceramic tile adhesives. Because these materials are applied as pastes which undergo reactions to be turned into hard bodies the norm defines the characteristics of both, the initial fresh stage and the final hardened stage. A recent reworking of the EN 12004 targets to delete the fresh mortar characteristics and parts of the strength characteristics. Only the classifications of normal cementitious adhesives (C1) and fast-setting adhesives (F) will be kept in
the norm.
Deleting the classification E for Extended Open Time bears the risk that the number of failures will increase. The reason is that a standard Open Time of 20 minutes is good enough for normal conditions. But for warm temperatures and/or windy conditions an Extended Open Time of 30 minutes provides better security for good wetting of the tiles, which is a precondition for a durable adhesion.

A. Gerz, M. Schmid, G. Walenta, Calucem GmbH: Highly Efficient Calcium Aluminate Cements for Modern Building Products

Calcium Aluminate Cements (CAC) are a solution for modern building chemistry formulations whenever rapid set, rapid hardening and quick drying needs to be achieved. In this study, two highly efficient CACs were investigated. First a CAC with approx. 40% Al2O3 and an optimized granulometry. The second CAC with approx. 50% Al2O3 combines optimizations in granulometry and mineralogy. Both CACs have been characterized and compared in a Self Levelling Compound (SLC) application test. The application tests demonstrate performance advantages of highly efficient CACs compared to standard cements. The highly efficient CACs allow a cement reduction of 10 % in the SLC and CO2 savings.

The Drymix Mortar Yearbook (DMYB) is the annual publication for drymix mortar experts worldwide. DMYB 2021 contains contributions by (in alphabetical order) Agrana, Avebe, Calucem, Celanese, Celotech, CFF, Dow, drymix.info, Evonik, Imerys, LPM AG, Mapei, Meissner Bolte Rechtsanwälte, Organik Kimya, Polyplast, Sicit/PlastRetard, Technische Universität München (TUM), Wacker Chemie.

We will be publishing the abstracts of the scientific contributions in the next few drymix.info Newsletters, to remind you to ...

... order your copy of the Drymix Mortar Yearbook 2021 now!

2. New Concept for 5th MORTAR CONVENTION: Three Days from 27. to 29 April 2021

In the past few months, we noticed tremendous response (and support) for our 5th MORTAR CONVENTION (see below). In order to accomodate all time zones, we have decided to stage the 5th MORTAR CONVENTION as Live Event Online three times in three days: on Tuesday, 27. April 2021 (for the Eastern Zones), on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 (for the Americas) and on Thursday, 29. April 2021 (for Europe, MENA and Africa).

The new concept allows us to offer many more communication options for the participating companies, institutions and delegates: e.g. delegates can meet with friends during 72 hours on our platform, supporters can offer exclusive workshops (webinars), which will be featured in the program of  5th MORTAR CONVENTION and we will have a drymix.info lounge and various offers to have a virtual drink and chat together, also with live video chat. Of course, delegates can also visit and re-view the lectures they missed the next day and make appointments on the many booths in our Industry Showcase (virtual exhibition). You will find the detailed program in our next drymix.info Newsletter.

So our delegate pass is not only a 8 hr pass, but valid on all 3 days, it costs 120 Euro per person, reduced for drymix.info, MEDMA and SEADMA partners to 80 Euro. Drymix mortar manufacturers pay only 40 Euro. Attendance to the 5th MORTAR CONVENTION is limited to 500 delegates per segment.

Please support your drymix mortar community by registering yourself at www.drymix.info using your credit card (Visa or Master accepted). Individual invoicing for bank-to-bank transfer is not encouraged, sorry.

3. DAW Sells Production and Branding of Lithodecor

DAW SE, Ober-Ramstadt, has decided to sell its plant and brand Lithodecor Fassaden GmbH, Netzschkau, to Naturstein Steinmann GmbH, Oberaurach-Trossenfurt, all Germany. Lithodecor produces design (rear-ventilated, mechanically hung) facade systems (new product name: Litho-Stone/Glass/Ceramics). The entire product portfolio will be continued by the newly founded  Lithodecor Fassaden GmbH, Jessica Steinmann acts as CEO there. Steinmann and DAW (in Germany by way of daughter company alsecco GmbH, Wildeck) have entered into a long-range partnership for the sale of Lithodecor products and systems both in Germany and internationally. The Steinmann Group has taken over all employees of Lithodecor in Netzschkau.

4. Sika Takes over Russian Drymix Mortar Manufacturer Kreps

Sika AG, Baar, Switzerland has taken over the Russian drymix mortar pioneer Kreps LLC, Saint Petersburg. Kreps, established in 1998 produces Cementitious Tile Adhesives (CTA), renders, plasters, self-levelling underlayments, External Insulation and Finishing Systems (EIFS). The company operates drymix mortar plants in Saint Petersburg (North East Region) and Aramil (near Jekaterinburg, Swerdlowsk/Ural Region), a perfect match for Sika Russia, which is not present with production units in both regions. Kreps' turnover in 2019 was 13,6 mio Euro. The transaction value was not disclosed and the deal ist still subject to the necessary approvals by the local anti-trust authorities.

5. Tikkurila Takeover: PPG Submits Highest Bid

The large stakeholders of Tikkurila Oyj, Vantaa, Finland, have accepted the increased offer by PPG Industries, Pittsburgh, PA, USA. Akzo Nobel, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, dropped out of the race. The short takeover battle for Tikkurila (we reported earlier) has led to a substantially higher takeover price. Initially, PPG had offered 25 euro per share, they now end up paying 34 Euro per share (an increase of 36%, or, in cash value 396 mio Euro). "Our new offer is based upon a more thorough analysis of potential transaction synergies and our trust in the value that can be realized by merging both companies" said Michael McGarry, Chairman and CEO of PPG.

6. Messe Berlin Decides to Terminate Bautec Exhibition

Sadly, last year's 18. Bautec, from 18. to 21 February - immediately before the first lock-downs - was the last Bautec ever. The organizers, Messe Berlin GmbH, Berlin, Germany have decided to pull the plug on Bautec. Bautec 2020 featured 451 international exhibitors and attracted over 31.000 professional visitors. Bautec was an industry fair that is linked to German reconstruction and the boom after the reunification times in Germany.

WE KEEP BUILDING


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Editor-in-Chief: Ferdinand Leopolder. 

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