On March 5, 2026, the EV Drymix Mortar Masterclass took place at the EV Group Academy Center in Bresso: a full day of training that brought together key players from the construction sector, including formulators, technologists, and materials specialists, alongside partners Evonik, Ashland, Sika, and Buzzi.
The event confirmed a now‑central trend in European construction: materials chemistry is becoming increasingly decisive in addressing the challenges of sustainability, performance, and regulatory compliance.
The shift toward lower‑carbon solutions, growing regulatory pressure, and the need to ensure consistent quality on construction sites are accelerating innovation in additives for drymix mortars — from superplasticizers to modern cellulose ethers, from hydrophobizing agents to shrinkage‑compensation systems.
The Masterclass offered participants direct dialogue with the R&D teams of partner companies and a concrete overview of the technologies that are redefining next‑generation mortars, concrete and construction systems.
Evonik — Advanced additives for performance and durability
Evonik presented an integrated approach to formulation management for mortars and concrete, addressing key topics such as air control, water repellency, curing, and performance optimization.
A key focus of the session was the SITREN® portfolio, which includes high‑performance defoamers, air‑entraining and shrinkage‑reducing agents designed to enhance workability, surface quality, and long‑term stability.
The company also showcased siloxane‑based hydrophobizing and wetting agents developed to reduce water absorption, prevent efflorescence and cracking, and improve adhesion.
Significant interest was sparked by the focus on microbial self‑healing concretes and new hydrophobization technologies: solutions that highlight the role of chemistry in building structures that are more durable, resilient, and sustainable.
Ashland — Cellulose ethers for more sustainable tile adhesives
Ashland presented Culminal™ GAP (Green Aware Performance), a new cellulose‑ether technology developed to make cement‑based tile adhesives more sustainable without compromising performance.
As the industry transitions toward composite cements with lower clinker content to reduce CO₂ emissions, mortar manufacturers are facing challenges such as slower setting times and delayed strength development.
Culminal™ GAP addresses these issues by:
A solution designed for high‑performance cementitious adhesives, ideal for demanding applications such as large‑format tiles.
Sika — Polycarboxylate ethers to reduce CO₂ in mortars
Sika highlighted one of the sector’s strategic priorities: reducing cement content in mortars — responsible for roughly 8% of global CO₂ emissions — by using polycarboxylate ethers (PCEs).
Thanks to a new generation of powder additives, including Sika ViscoCrete superplasticizers and SikaRapid accelerators, it is now possible to optimize the water‑to‑cement ratio while maintaining mechanical strength, durability, and workability. Manufacturers can cut CO₂ emissions by up to 20% per ton of mortar while preserving high performance.
New low‑VOC, formaldehyde‑free solutions such as ViscoCrete PowerPacks further enhance robustness and indoor air quality compared to traditional superplasticizers.
A clear message stands out: chemical innovation is a concrete ally in accelerating progress toward the Net Zero 2050 goals.
Buzzi — NEXT: low‑shrinkage, fast‑strength hydraulic binders for advanced applications
Buzzi presented NEXT, a new generation of binders based on calcium sulfoaluminate technology, designed to enhance performance and stability in:
Special attention was given to the NEXT Expansive SN 18 additive, which leverages controlled ettringite‑based expansion to ensure:
An especially compelling option for infrastructure repair, continuous flooring and formulations requiring precise shrinkage control.
An Academy for innovation
The EV Drymix Mortar Masterclass demonstrated the value that emerges when technical expertise, application insights, and market vision converge in the same space.
For industry professionals, the day was more than just training — it became a collaborative platform where questions, insights, and new technologies intertwined in a concrete, future‑oriented dialogue.
A future in which chemistry, and the ability to translate it into real‑world solutions, will continue to play a strategic role in building a more efficient, resilient, and sustainable construction sector.
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