Polymers have a wide variety of properties depending on their structure. The different uses of these materials in construction are innumerable. In the Polymer and Adhesives Technology area, research is carried out on the formulation and development of polymers, adhesives and coatings used in construction and on the study of adhesion phenomena that occur so that there is correct bonding between the different materials used in construction.

The specific aims of the area dealing with polymer and adhesive technology in construction is to respond to the needs of the construction sector with regard to these materials. In particular, the following subareas are considered:

• Application of nanotechnology in polymers. Novel nanocomposite formulations for the construction industry.
• Intelligent polymers to provide construction materials with specific properties: antibacterial, self-cleaning, with energy storage capacity and with thermal photoactivity.
• Chemical surface modification using in situ polymerization.
• External protection of construction materials – damp-proofing, anti-corrosion, antidegradants, thermal protection, antibacterial, anti-wear, etc.
• Green chemistry. New challenges in polymer sustainability in construction.
• Modification of physical and chemical properties of construction materials such as reinforcement, ultimate tensile strength, elasticity, flexibility and lightness by means of incorporating polymers.
• Adhesives for the manufacture of multifunctional laminated materials, bridge joints.
• Manufacture of novel construction products – composites – via agglomeration of materials with polymers.
• Use of recycled polymer materials from waste management companies in formulations of different construction materials and products (concrete, plaster, soundproofing panels, artificial marble, coatings, etc).
• Adhesives for reinforcing and protecting industrial stone.

This area will not carry out any activity that could lead to a conflict of interests with the Institute’s work as a Control Body, with regard to the products assessed, in accordance with ENAC requirements laid out in PE-ENAC-OC/01.