Friday, May 8, 2026
Henkel has introduced its latest engineered wood adhesive, 1K-PUR Loctite HB XE, designed to support modern timber construction with improved fire protection and higher production efficiency. The new adhesive has been developed for manufacturers of cross laminated timber and engineered wood products seeking to balance safety, speed and sustainability.
The launch represents a significant step for the timber construction industry. Traditionally, manufacturers have faced a trade-off between achieving high fire resistance and maintaining efficient production cycles. With Loctite HB XE, these objectives are now being addressed together.
The new 1K-PUR adhesive combines the proven fire and heat resistance of Henkel’s earlier HB X adhesive with enhanced production efficiency compared to the standard HB S adhesive.
According to Henkel Engineered Wood, the product already complies with the strict requirements of the latest Eurocode 5 regulations. This provides manufacturers with an important advantage in fire safety compliance.
Gordian Stapf, Certification Manager at Henkel Engineered Wood, stated that Loctite HB XE meets the highest fire protection standards. He explained that additional fire testing is no longer required under Eurocode 5 when the adhesive is used appropriately.
The adhesive has also demonstrated fire behaviour comparable to solid wood. This characteristic is becoming increasingly important within the timber construction sector.
The GLIF test, known as the Glue Line Integrity of Fire test, is expected to play a key role in future timber component approvals. During testing at ETH Zurich, the adhesive maintained the integrity of the glued joints under fire conditions.
As a result, complex staged burning model verification procedures can be avoided. Instead, manufacturers can use a simplified linear calculation method based on a burning rate of 0.65 mm per minute.
Production efficiency has also been improved with the introduction of Loctite HB XE. The adhesive features an optimised balance between open time and pressing time, helping manufacturers achieve faster and more economical production cycles.
The transition to the new adhesive can also be completed without major changes to existing production systems. Existing manufacturing processes do not require significant modification.
This simplifies implementation for timber manufacturers already using 1K-PUR technologies.
Faster processing is expected to support improved operational productivity. Reduced downtime can also contribute to lower manufacturing costs.
The adhesive is expected to create new possibilities for visible timber architecture, particularly in multi-storey timber buildings.
Until now, load-bearing timber structures in buildings with four or more storeys often required non-combustible cladding materials to meet fire safety regulations. This added complexity, material use and cost to construction projects.
With Loctite HB XE, these additional requirements can be significantly reduced.
Several practical advantages are expected:
Architects and developers are likely to benefit from greater flexibility in exposed timber design without compromising safety standards or regulatory compliance.
Visible wood surfaces remain highly desirable in modern architecture. The new adhesive supports this growing design trend.
Sustainability has also been prioritised in the development of Loctite HB XE. The adhesive is formaldehyde-free and does not contain substances listed under the banned materials criteria of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel.
This supports environmentally responsible construction practices while meeting technical performance demands.
The timber construction sector continues to focus strongly on reducing environmental impact. Materials with lower emissions and safer chemical profiles are increasingly being specified across construction projects.
Henkel’s latest adhesive aligns with these evolving industry expectations.
The launch of 1K-PUR Loctite HB XE reflects wider changes taking place within modern timber construction. Manufacturers are increasingly seeking integrated solutions that combine fire safety, sustainability and operational efficiency.
The product has been designed to meet these growing demands.
As timber construction expands globally, particularly in multi-storey and sustainable building projects, demand for advanced engineered wood solutions is expected to rise further.
Loctite HB XE demonstrates how adhesive technologies continue to influence the future of wood-based construction. By combining regulatory compliance, simplified manufacturing and environmental responsibility, the new solution strengthens the industry’s move towards smarter and more efficient timber building practices.
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Tags: engineered wood solutions, Eurocode 5, fire protection adhesive, Henkel, Loctite HB XE, timber construction adhesives, woodworking industry, woodworking UK
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