Construction + Civil Engineering

Henkel has added to its well-known LOCTITE^® HB adhesives with the new LOCTITE^® HB XE Line. Manufactured in response to the increase in fire protection requirements, the new adhesive addresses the growing importance of fire resistance in European timber buildings. 

LOCTITE^® HB XE is a high performance structural adhesive specifically designed for the surface bonding of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (GLT). The new adhesive meets the highest fire protection requirements in accordance with Eurocode 5 (EC5). It has been proven to exhibit a linear charring rate of 0.65mm/min, which corresponds to the burn rate of unbonded wood. Compared to traditional adhesives for CLT or GLT, the burn rate slows down, eliminating the risk of a ‘second flashover’ and creating the conditions necessary for the self-extinguishing of a building's wooden components.

In the fire simulator at ETH Zurich, the new adhesive demonstrated its excellent fire protection capabilities. According to EC5, the successfully passed fire test be applied to CLT and GLT components by users, eliminating the need for additional fire tests. The LOCTITE^® HB XE Line also scores highly in terms of sustainability, as all its components comply with stringent health and safety standards for construction products and are free of substances listed on various sustainability certification restricted substance lists, such as the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.

Olga Golgor, head of sales Europe for engineered wood at Henkel Adhesive Technologies, states: “With the LOCTITE^® HB XE Line, we are setting a new standard in both fire protection and sustainability for the European timber construction market. This product line is the ideal choice for CLT and GLT manufacturers who want to combine high safety standards with efficient production. A true advancement for the future of timber construction.”