Having recently marked its 45th anniversary, Palace Chemicals says it’s carved out a unique niche among suppliers of tiling, building, construction and DIY products. Firstly it is a question of scale. The company has grown to be one of the largest UK manufacturers in the market – with its primary focus being on the production of products for the tiling industry.
Says the company: “Its current success has not arisen overnight, but is the result of 45 years’ experience, which has led to the proven and robust operation we see today. The company’s operational excellence is reflected also in the technical excellence of its product range and in fact, were it not for what stands behind today’s product range, it would not have been possible to bring these products to market.”
Comprising preparation, waterproofing and levellers, ready-mixed adhesives, cement-based adhesives and grouts, as well as aftercare products, the company has a broad product range. It describes itself as a leader both in innovation and in sustainable manufacturing, as well as being a supplier which has built up an impressive level of trust with the market over many years.
The company continues: “It has one of the most flexible manufacturing facilities in the industry, which it has achieved through consistent investment in its manufacturing capability to give it the capacity and flexibility it needs, and also in research and development to keep the product range at the leading edge of technical innovation in today’s tiling market. This clearly demonstrates the link between operational excellence and the technical excellence of the company’s products.
“An example of this is Palace Chemicals’ range of lightweight S1 tile adhesives. The EXTRA-LITE range was introduced last year and was designed to meet the needs of the modern tiling market, where lightweight easy-to-use products are in demand.”
The EXTRA-LITE Range is a lightweight, thin and thick-bed, flexible tile adhesive, which features a highly polymer fortified S1 formulation to provide the flexibility required for fixing large format tiles and panels or where slight movement or vibration is likely. The product’s flexibility makes it suitable for use where underfloor heating is installed. Mixed with water it’s said to create a high-yield, lightweight and easy-to-apply paste with an extended open time and 50% reduced weight for each square metre applied and is available as a Fast or Standard setting adhesive in both Grey and White.
EXTRA-LITE Standard Set is also said to be a more sustainable choice, containing more than 40% recycled materials, comprising sustainable raw materials taken from low carbon production processes. Furthermore, the company says, it provides the same performance, while doubling its coverage capability, meaning that users can transport smaller volumes to each job.
As an alternative, there is also a rapid-set version that reportedly provides all the benefits of the Standard product but additionally has a working pot life of up to 60 minutes and cures to allow light foot traffic just 3 hours after application. EXTRA-LITE Fast Set is also suitable for fixing all types of tiling, including porcelain, vitrified & large format tile & stone.
These products have many advantages for the tiler, Palace says, in being quicker and easier to use, offering versatility and ease of application. From a sustainability point of view this product uses less raw material and 40% of its ingredients are recycled. It also requires fewer mixes, filling fewer pallets and requiring less transport.
The company continues: “The technical excellence of these types of products stems directly from the operational excellence of the business. If the company had not invested heavily in its manufacturing capability and if its sales teams were not constantly speaking to their contacts in the trade, built up over the decades, Palace would not be so attuned to market requirements and would not be so keenly aware of what its customers really need. Being easy to apply, it even means the tiler has to spend less time on their knees!
“The sustainability of Palace’s products in use starts with its manufacturing practices. Palace Chemicals gained its ISO 14001 BSI accreditation for its management systems nearly 20 years ago, and continually searches for ways to reduce its carbon footprint and create better manufacturing systems, better working conditions and a healthier planet. The recent installation of a closed-loop dust extraction and recycling system is one such investment by the company. The system means that there is zero waste produced during Palace Chemicals’ manufacturing processes.”
