|
::: A word about CHEMICALS
PROTAGONISTS of Federica Fiorellini
-----------------------------------------------------------
Giorgio Squinzi,
Managing
Director of the
Mapei Group,
presented an
interesting report
on the global
building market
and on the
present - and
future - of
wooden flooring
at the recent
congress EFPI.
The ability to analyse raw materials
and products is essential
for technological development.
With this objective in
mind, the Mapei laboratories have
the most advanced equipment
and use cutting-edge techniques
for chemical and physical-chemical
analysis, capable of evaluating
each characteristic of the various
products. “... And so Mapei is today
the world’s number one producer
of adhesives and related
materials for the laying of floor
and wall tiles and the third largest
producer of chemicals in the
world of construction.”
These the opening words by the
CEO of the Mapei Group, Giorgio
Squinzi, at the 35th EFPI Congress
held on 28th May introducing an
interesting report on global markets
and buildings. As shown in
Figures 1 and 2.
But what will be the fate of wooden
flooring? According to Dr.
Squinzi, the market for parquet,
like that of ceramic tiling (two segments
that, he stressed, are
strongly correlated), will be closely
linked to investments in residential
housing over the period 2008-2013. As far as Europe is concerned,
while most countries can
expect to see a serious decline in
investments over the next five
years, Spain will be particularly affected, while the German real estate
sector should remain stable.
Looking further West, the latest
U.S. census, dated April 2010,
shows a significant increase in the
granting of building permission,
suggesting that the housing market
has seen the back of the recent
recession in this sector.
Parquet seems to withstand the
crisis. Especially thanks to product
evolution, as it can now “win
over” both designers and end
users. The favourites are hardwood
floors - with increasingly
larger planks - and prefinished solutions.
Laying techniques are changing.
The musts are: shorter installation
times, the ability to maintain
previous floor levels, low environmental
impact and low levels of
indoor pollution.
As Dr. Squinzi pointed out, Mapei
offers ad hoc solutions with certified
low emissions:
• sound-proofing systems to cut
impact surfaces and noise (using
Mapesonic and Mapesilent
Technology);
• floor screeds that are easy to
apply and quick drying (such as
Mapecem and Topcem);
• self-levelling compounds for
substrates (e.g. Ultraplan)
• solvent-free adhesives with low
emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), with EC1
certification and characteristics
of high adhesion on any surface,
even on existing ceramic tiles.
These characteristics are the final
stage in the development of adhesives
for parquet, which are today
100% environmentally- and people-
friendly. The technology has
moved on from the water-soluble
and solvent-based adhesives of
the '50s and '60s: today parquet
layers now use EC1 class single
component polyurethane resins.
And speaking of sustainability
and certification (but not only),
we asked the President of Mapei
a few questions after the EFPI
meeting.
During the Congress, a lot was
said about "Green Building"
and "Green Products". Is there,
in your opinion, a truly environmentally
friendly chemical? How does the Mapei Group stand
on this?
Giorgio Squinzi: If we look at all
the research done and statistics
compiled over the last 20 years
concerning this issue, it’s easy to
understand that the chemicals
industry has improved all the parameters.
A good example? There are important
international studies
showing that there’s an average
saving of 2.7 tons of CO2 per year
further down the chain for every
ton of CO2 emitted by the chemicals
firms.
What does this mean in practice?
Just think, for example, of the
products used for thermal insulation
coating of buildings: for each
ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the environment in order to
make adhesives, sealants and
paints, there’s a considerable saving
in the energy needed to heat
and cool our homes (and thus 2.7
tons less of CO2).
As for Mapei, we’ve always shown
great determination in this direction,
even before the introduction
of the parameters set by the Kyoto
Protocol. Suffice to say, about
two-thirds of our research - and
we’re talking about 60 million Euros
each year - are invested by
the Group in research and development
to achieve products and
systems that are more human and
environmentally compatible. One
goal we’ve reached is the almost
complete zeroing of our use of
harmful solvents: not just a matter
of pride for us, but also a
strong stimulus for further research.
Staying on the theme of the environment
and sustainability, I
must, unfortunately, point out
that there’s great confusion in the market. Vague concepts such as
"green building" and "green products"
are exploited by many - too
many - companies inventing strange
self-certification with improvised,
sometimes really
bizarre systems.
As a group, we support only those
certificates issued by serious, internationally
recognised institutes
with established and internationally
accepted procedures.
For example, in the case of parquet
laying products, and especially
adhesives, I believe EC1 certification
is crucial. This is issued
by the German GEV institute and
is “supported” and used by all
major European producers.
I firmly believe that the efforts of
companies towards sustainability
must be pursued with seriousness
and certified in a transparent
manner… Mere words are worthless
here.
What can Italian companies do
(and what’s Mapei doing) to
help our countr y grow and
guarantee a better future for
our children?
Giorgio Squinzi: Self-pity is pointless
for Italian entrepreneurs. Nor
should we passively demand government
incentives. We’ve got to
roll up our sleeves and get back
to investing, playing in attack
rather than defence.
I believe that the future of our
country depends to a great extent
on the internationalisation
of our manufacturing system.
We must strive to be competitive
domestically and deal drastically
with those issues that
have always conditioned the
success of Italian industry: high
energy costs, red tape, a punitive
regulatory system and poor
infrastructure. But, at the same
time, we should aim for internationalisation,
even in terms of
production, so that the “Made in
Italy” label may continue to gain
a greater share of the global
market.
If we do this, we’ll create a future
and hope for our children.
Otherwise we’re doomed to experience
an initially slow but
sure decline.
Are you optimistic?
Giorgio Squinzi: Yes, I am. I run a
Group with 63 companies and 56
factories in 25 countries around
the world. I’m confident I’ve already
done my part, and will continue
to do so.
What he says makes sense…
|
Add your company to 
Keep up-to-date on latest developments with Parquet International ...
Go to reserved