Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Lignovit GLT Plus from ADLER, a leading Austrian wood coating expert, answers this call with an innovative protective solution for timber materials. The product provides temporary protection against water, dirt, and UV rays, ensuring timber remains intact throughout transportation, storage, and assembly. This is particularly important as timber elements are often moved across Europe, or even across continents, unprotected for days or weeks. During this time, the timber is exposed to a variety of environmental factors, including moisture, dirt, and fluctuating temperatures.
In recent years, the timber construction industry has seen a remarkable evolution, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in both design and scale. As these structures grow in size and complexity, so do the challenges faced by timber elements in these builds. Whether it’s timber transported across long distances or elements exposed to harsh environmental conditions during construction, the need for advanced protection has never been more critical.
Simon Leimgruber, Head of Window and Architectural Coatings Development Group at ADLER, explains, “Today, timber construction elements are sometimes transported across Europe or even by ship to other continents without being covered. They are often on the move for days or even weeks. Even then, they are confronted with numerous environmental influences and have to withstand moisture, dirt and temperature fluctuations.” He continues, “On the construction site, they are usually stored outdoors and are exposed to the weather and sunlight. And even during installation, it takes a while until all the wooden components are in the protected area.”
This exposure can lead to serious issues such as swelling, shrinkage, cracking, and unsightly yellowing or discolouration. To combat these challenges, ADLER’s research team has developed a solution that not only maintains but also improves the durability and natural beauty of the building material.
Lignovit GLT Plus uses a new generation of raw materials to offer exceptional protection with just a single application. The product provides water protection for up to six weeks, dramatically reducing moisture absorption. It also ensures that dirt, including debris from other trades, can be removed quickly and easily from the surface. “With just one application of Lignovit GLT Plus, we achieve sensational water protection for up to six weeks. The continuous film drastically reduces moisture absorption,” Leimgruber notes.
The coating includes special light filters, ensuring long-lasting yellowing protection, both during construction and beyond. This feature is crucial as glulam and cross-laminated timber (CLT) elements are often left exposed in modern timber designs. The visual appeal of the timber is a key consideration, with a growing demand for these elements to be showcased in all their natural glory or designed with a refined aesthetic.
Lignovit GLT Plus is available in a special UV-protection version, catering to the visual and durability demands of the industry. Additionally, the standard coating is free from active ingredients but can be enhanced with additional protection against blue stain infestation, further improving its durability in risk-prone areas.
The application process of Lignovit GLT Plus is both straightforward and flexible. The water-based product can be easily applied by brushing, spraying, or even using a mop, making it suitable for different construction environments. Furthermore, it dries extremely quickly, allowing for rapid stacking—a crucial advantage in industrialised production settings.
ADLER has also ensured that this product contributes to environmental sustainability. Traditionally, timber elements used to be wrapped in plastic film for transportation, which posed both logistical and environmental challenges. With Lignovit GLT Plus, timber construction companies can eliminate the need for plastic film, reducing waste and environmental impact.
Founded in 1934, ADLER is Austria’s foremost manufacturer of varnishes, paints, and wood preservatives, serving customers in over 30 countries worldwide. The company, now managed by Andrea Berghofer, a third-generation member of the founding family, operates its sole production site in Schwaz, Tyrol.
ADLER’s commitment to innovation and sustainability is evident in the development of solutions like Lignovit GLT Plus, designed to improve the ecological footprint of the timber construction industry. In fact, the company produces 21,000 tonnes of paint annually, a significant portion of which is aimed at reducing environmental impact while ensuring the durability and aesthetic quality of timber structures.
“Lignovit GLT Plus is not just a product, it’s part of our commitment to providing sustainable and high-performance solutions for the construction industry,” says Berghofer. “We continually strive to enhance our ecological footprint and offer products that are both innovative and environmentally responsible.”
Lignovit GLT Plus is the future of timber protection. With its ability to shield timber from the elements during transportation and construction, this product meets the evolving demands of modern architecture. By offering superior protection against water, dirt, and UV damage, it ensures timber elements retain their beauty and strength throughout the build.
With sustainability at its heart, Lignovit GLT Plus offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional protective methods. For construction companies and timber engineers seeking a reliable solution to safeguard their timber materials, Lignovit GLT Plus by ADLER is the ideal choice.
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