Henkel at BAU 2027: adhesive and sealant technologies for timber construction and building components

The construction industry is facing a variety of challenges: using resources and energy more efficiently, increasing productivity and ensuring safety and durability. Under the guiding theme “Future? Ready! Shaping Sustainable Buildings”, Henkel will show at BAU 2027 how adhesive and sealant technologies can help address these issues. The company will focus on three key areas: structural timber construction, industrial prefabrication and the manufacture of high-performance building components.

From 11 to 15 January 2027, Henkel Building Industry, part of the Adhesive Technologies business unit, will be exhibiting at BAU for the first time. BAU is the world’s leading trade fair for architecture, materials and systems. As a technology and development partner, Henkel supports manufacturers with a broad, cross-application portfolio, drawing on the experience of 150 years of company history.

As timber’s importance as a renewable material for demanding load-bearing structures continues to grow, so do the requirements for fire protection and efficient manufacturing. Drawing on its many years of expertise in structural timber bonding, Henkel will present its Loctite HB XE line of polyurethane adhesives for cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glued laminated timber (GLT) at BAU 2027.

Developed for face bonding, the line delivers tested fire performance: in tests conducted in accordance with Eurocode 5, the bond line remains intact under fire conditions. The charring rate of 0.65 millimetres per minute matches that of solid timber. Optimised processing times and a lower adhesive application weight support efficient production while conserving materials. The adhesives are also formaldehyde-free and have low VOC emissions.

Serial and modular prefabrication shifts key process steps from the construction site to the factory. Wall, floor and roof elements can be manufactured under controlled conditions and delivered ready for installation. This approach has been shown to reduce construction times, make processes more predictable and maintain consistent quality.

Henkel offers adhesive technologies for the structural bonding of timber building elements, including frame constructions and wood-based panels as well as solutions for construction joints and sealing. These technologies support automation and the integration of additional production steps at the factory. Building on this technological foundation, Henkel is taking a targeted approach to developing prefabrication as a business area and is seeking dialogue with manufacturers on their specific process and application requirements.

Henkel offers manufacturers specialised adhesive and sealant technologies for applications in facades and roofs, windows and doors as well as wall, ceiling and flooring systems. One example from the roofing sector is Technomelt AS 4004. Developed specifically for the roof tile industry, this hot-melt adhesive solution forms spacers between clay and concrete roof tiles, helping to reduce micro-scratches and chipping during stacking and transport.

In comparison with conventional polyamide-based spacers, the polypropylene-based spacer can be processed at lower temperatures. This can reduce energy consumption and maintenance costs, while extending the service life of the application heads. The spacer maintains its dimensional stability at high transport temperatures, can be removed from painted surfaces without leaving residue and can be applied fully automatically and reproducibly.

“Future-ready construction brings a wide range of requirements – from fire protection and efficient manufacturing processes to the quality of building components,” says Christian Wietfeld, Head of Building Industry Europe at Henkel. “We therefore take an integrated view of timber construction, manufacturing and building components. We work in collaboration with manufacturers to apply our adhesive and sealant technologies in areas where they can address specific challenges. At BAU 2027, we want to further explore this dialogue and identify additional applications.”

Visitors to the Henkel stand (Hall B6, Stand 412) will have the opportunity to learn more about the company’s technologies and discuss their specific requirements with the team.