Do you have something to say ? Email gemma @ cvgroup . co . uk www . clearview-uk . com
INDUSTRYNEWS
PROUD SPONSOR OF INDUSTRY NEWS
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
A SOLUTION TO THE SILICONE SHORTAGE
As hundreds of your readers will know all too well , we ’ re in the middle of the worst silicone shortage in years – and in fenestration , that ’ s a big problem .
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WE ’ RE NOW FACED WITH higher prices , longer lead times - often by weeks , not days - and the dilemma of whether to suck up the punishment and try and wait it out , or think long-term and look for alternatives .
The causes for the shortage are complex . Global silicone demand is at an all-time high . All the world ’ s major silicone facilities have fallen behind demand and hiked prices as a result . And some key manufacturers have been hit with other problems , like strike action .
Broader political and economic trends are complicating the issue – most notably , the continuing ascendency and industrial dominance of China .
Sixty percent of the world ’ s silicone now comes from Chinese facilities . Once , if production fell in one part of the world , other regions would have been able to make up the difference . But as more and more of the world ’ s industrial activity gets concentrated in China , and sharply declines elsewhere , that ’ s no longer the case .
Now , in other words , we ’ re so dependent on Chinese production that if it runs into trouble , we ’ re all in trouble .
So how should window installers respond ? They can swallow the price increases and longer lead times , and hope the current crisis is short-lived .
But with the current climate only looking set to continue , and with no sign of large-scale silicone production returning to other parts of the world any time soon , it ’ s likely that shortages could become a regular occurrence . Thankfully , for window installers , at least , there is an alternative .
TP650 Trio is illbruck ’ s best-in-class window installation tape .
In essence , it ’ s a compressed foam insulating seal . Once you remove the backing paper , the tape steadily expands to effectively seal all gaps and spaces between the frame and wall .
Impregnated with a flame-retardant resin , it ’ s extremely safe , and offers outstanding thermal efficiency , outstanding air-tightness and driving rain resistance of at least 600 PA .
‘ Another important factor is the consistently high-quality finish which Trio provides . You simply can ’ t beat this repeatability of finish with a sealant ’
Trio has been designed and engineered to excel in every respect . It ’ s a pre-compressed , multi-functional polyurethane tape that ’ s impregnated with flame-retardant resin .
It offers the most outstanding thermal efficiency , outstanding air-tightness , and driving rain resistance of at least 600 PA . It seals and protects corner joints from mould and fungi and it significantly improves acoustic insulation .
Another important factor is the consistently high-quality finish which Trio provides . You simply can ’ t beat this repeatability of finish with a sealant .
And , most importantly of all , it ’ s a breeze to fit . A lot of other non-silicone sealant solutions on the market are flawed . They ’ re incredibly
difficult to align , or they crease around corners . Trio has none of these problems – and can be measured and applied in a matter of minutes .
What ’ s more , it ’ s fully compliant with BS8213-4:2016 CoP for the survey and installation of windows and external door sets , and the Glass and Glazing Federation ’ s Guide to Good Practice .
If you ’ re interested in learning more – and finding a long-term solution to instability in silicone supply – don ’ t hesitate to get in touch .
Yours sincerely , David Naylor Product Manager
www . illbruck . com / en _ GB / tp650-trio /
Do you have something to say ? Email gemma @ cvgroup . co . uk www . clearview-uk . com
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