The present invention relates to the use of an additive as well as a process to improve the adhesion of a mortar to a building substrate, wherein the mortar is mixed with said additive and is applied to a building substrate selected from the group of polystyrene-containing substrates, polyolefin-containing substrates or polyvinyl chloride-containing substrates, the additive containing (i) a plasticizer that is liquid at 50 C. or lower, has a boiling point of 100 C. or higher, and that has a solubility parameter 25 C. between 22.5 MPa.sup.1/2 and MPa.sup.1/2; (ii) optionally, a filler that has a BET surface area of at least 40 m.sup.2/g; (iii) optionally, a biopolymer, (iv) optionally, a protective colloid; and (v) optionally, a water-insoluble film-forming (co)polymer based on ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The invention also covers an additive and a kit of parts suitable for use in the above process.

A mortar composition, in particular a leveling mortar composition, including: a) 3-45 wt. % of a hydraulic binder, b) 15-80 wt. % of lightweight aggregates, c) 5-50 wt. % of a polymer.

The present invention relates generally to wall repair compounds such as joint compounds, spackling compounds, and the like used to repair imperfections in walls or fill joints between adjacent wallboard panels. Particularly, the present invention relates to such a wall repair compound comprising a dust reduction additive that reduces the quantity of airborne dust generated when the hardened compound is sanded and also exhibits improved adhesive properties. The dust reduction additive also imparts adhesion to the wall repair compounds to which it is added, for example to a joint compound. The dust reduction additive comprises micro-crystalline wax or micro-crystalline wax emulsion.

The present invention provides a storage stable silicon-containing powder composition suitable for use in dry mix compositions containing cement and filler suitable as cement-based tile adhesives, the powder composition comprising (i) a water redispersible polymer powder (RDP); and, (ii) a granular composition of (a) a silicate carrier, (b) a polydiorganosiloxane, (c) a hydrolysable silane containing a C.sub.4 to C.sub.12 alkyl group, or an oligomer thereof, and (d) a polymer encapsulant for the hydrolysable silane and the polydiorganosiloxane, wherein the weight ratio of the total RDP to the total weight of granular composition ranges from 90:10 to 98:2. The present invention provides methods of using dry mixes as cement-based tile adhesives wherein the powder composition enables good open time and excellent tensile adhesion, especially after heat aging.

Various embodiments include cementitious compositions with low levels of embodied greenhouse gas emissions, in particular carbon dioxide, as a result of its production and/or use compared to conventional cementitious materials, such as portland cement. Various embodiments include any cementitious material or materials with low embodied carbon, as well as any material produced using this cement.

The present invention provides dry mix compositions for use in making gypsum plasters or mortars comprising gypsum, preferably, phosphorous gypsum one or more retarder, and one or more crosslinked cellulose ethers containing polyether groups. The compositions enable the provision of gypsum dry mixes, such as those from phosphorus gypsum, that make gypsum mortars with less stickiness while reducing the amount of cellulose ether in the dry mix.

The present invention relates to a powder adhesive composition comprising: (a) cement; (b) a dispersible polymer powder; and (c) at least 10% volume of the powder adhesive is an expanded perlite; wherein said cement is at a ratio of between 600-1000% of the mass of the expanded perlite; and wherein the powder adhesive composition is an adhesive, and the adhesion strength of the adhesive, is over 0.4 MPa, after 28 days, and after water immersion for at least 20 days.

A kit of parts suitable to form a waterproofing membrane consisting of a first component A including or consisting of a) 5-60 mass parts, preferably 30-60 mass parts, more preferably 45-55 mass parts, of a hydraulic binder, b) 0.5-15 mass parts, preferably 1-5 mass parts of at least one synthetic polymer, c) 20-80 mass parts, preferably 30-50 mass parts of aggregates, and d) optionally further additives and a second component B including or consisting of an aqueous emulsion of bitumen.

The present invention relates to an improved drywall finish and joint compound comprised of a mixture of fractured aluminum oxide, glass bead, calcium sulfate, calcium carbonate, magnesium aluminum phyllosilicate, aluminum silicate hydroxide, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, metamorphic mineral, sodium bicarbonate, silicon and aluminides, talc, kaolin, and metal oxide. The improved drywall finish and joint compound is capable of adhering to drywall, wood, concrete, brick, stone, steel and other surfaces, and can be applied using a conventional trowel or similar device, cures quickly, and eliminates the need for taping and bedding. The compound saves extensive time and labor when installing, repairing or working with drywall.

The present invention relates to cellulose ether compounds for increasing the open time and improving the wettability of cement-based mortars. The inventive cellulose ether compounds are formed from cellulose ether with one or more liquid antifoams incorporated therein. The inventive cellulose ether compounds are preferably used as modified cellulose ether in dry mortars for increasing the open time.