Building Adhesives

What Building Adhesives does

Building Adhesives Limited (trading as BAL Adhesives) is a UK-based manufacturer of professional tiling installation products, founded in 1960 and headquartered in Trentham, Stoke-on-Trent. The company designs, produces and supplies a full tiling system portfolio covering tile adhesives (BAL AF Max, BAL XL Floor One, BAL Rapid-Flex One), grouts (BAL Micromax2, BAL Micromax3 ECO, BAL Easypoxy AG), waterproofing and tanking systems (BAL Waterproof 1C, BAL Tank-it), floor levelling compounds (BAL Level Max, BAL Level Plus), uncoupling membranes (BAL Rapid-Mat, BAL Flexbone 2Easy), tile backer boards, and complete external tiling solutions. All products carry a written 25-year guarantee and key waterproofing lines hold EAD certification.

The company operates as a subsidiary of ARDEX Group UK and sells almost exclusively through a channel-partner GTM motion: an extensive network of UK tile distributors and building supplies merchants (CTD, Topps Tiles, Easy Bathrooms, regional independents), 25+ named online stockists, and direct engagement with contractors and specifiers. It monetises via one-time product sales at quote-based, non-publicly-disclosed pricing, supported by loyalty programmes (YOU+BAL and GivBax Rewards), CPD-accredited training, and a 25-year written product guarantee. Customers span professional tilers, contractors, specifiers and distributors as primary segments, with homeowners and trainees as secondary segments.

Building Adhesives is positioned by its own materials as the UK market leader for tiling solutions with over 60 years of brand heritage. The company is privately held, employs 101–250 staff, and is registered in England and Wales. Strategic emphasis in 2023–2025 has been on product innovation (AF Max, Waterproof 1C, Micromax3 ECO, Level Plus), external tiling systems, sustainability credentials (BASA Sustainability Award, gold-standard GHG reduction), training infrastructure (ARDEXacademy North refurbishment), and adjacent expansion via the Belvedere Stone partnership.

Name

Building Adhesives

Legal name

Building Adhesives Limited

Website

https://bal-adhesives.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Building Adhesives (BAL) is a UK manufacturer of tile adhesives, grouts, waterproofing systems, levelling compounds, and uncoupling membranes, selling through distributors and online stockists to professional tilers, contractors, specifiers, and distributors under the ARDEX Group UK umbrella.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Tiling adhesives and installation products

NAICS

Adhesive Manufacturing (32552)

SIC

Adhesives & Sealants (2891)

akta.pro primary industry

Tile Setting Materials (Mortars, Mastics & Grouts) (IMADAOAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Construction Adhesives (Structural & Non-Structural) (IMADAOAA), Floor Covering Installation Materials Manufacturing (Adhesives/Seams/Grippers/Transitions) (IMAOAJAM)

Keywords

• Tile adhesives
• Tiling grouts
• Waterproofing systems
• Floor levelling compounds
• Uncoupling membranes

Headquarters

HQ city

Trentham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tile Adhesives and Related Products: BAL generates revenue through the sale of tile adhesives, grouts, waterproofing products, levelling compounds, and associated tiling solutions to tilers, contractors, and distributors across the UK market.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Building Adhesives (BAL) manufactures and supplies ceramic tile adhesives, grouts, waterproofing systems, levelling compounds, uncoupling membranes, backer boards, and complete external tiling solutions for the UK construction industry. The company sells these products alongside technical training, CPD courses, specification support, BIM objects, and a 25-year written guarantee, distributing primarily through UK tile distributors, building supplies merchants, bathroom retailers, and online stockists.

Product overview

Building Adhesives Ltd (BAL) is a UK market leader in tiling solutions, offering a comprehensive portfolio of adhesive, grout, waterproofing, levelling, and uncoupling products for professional tilers, contractors, specifiers, and homeowners. The product range centres on tile adhesives (including BAL AF Max, BAL XL Floor One, BAL Rapid-Flex One), grouts (BAL Micromax2, BAL Micromax3 ECO, BAL Easypoxy), waterproofing systems (BAL Waterproof 1C, BAL Tank-it), floor levelling compounds (BAL Level Max, BAL Level Plus), uncoupling membranes (BAL Rapid-Mat, BAL Flexbone 2Easy), and complete external tiling solutions. The company also offers a loyalty programme (GivBax Rewards) and training services. All BAL products come with a 25-year written guarantee. BAL operates as part of the ARDEX Group.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• YOU+BAL: Loyalty programme offering rewards, business development support, and exclusive benefits for tilers, contractors, specifiers, distributors, and trainees
• GivBax
• BAL Flexbone
• BAL Rapid-Mat
• BAL AF Max
• BAL Level Plus
• BAL Micromax3 ECO
• BAL Waterproof 1C
• BAL Tank-it

Products and services

• BAL AF Max High-performance flexible tile adhesive engineered to remove the need for uncoupling mats, providing crack suppression and flexibility for demanding tiling applications, for professional tilers and contractors.
• BAL Level Plus Premium floor levelling compound allowing users to choose the performance level needed for their project, for floor preparation prior to tiling.
• BAL Rapid-Mat Tile uncoupling membrane available in multiple colours including a new white version, providing improved performance for crack prevention in tiling installations, for professional tilers.
• BAL Flexbone 2Easy Innovation award-winning uncoupling membrane for external tiling applications, providing easy installation and drainage compatibility for outdoor and balcony tiling systems.
• BAL Waterproof 1C One-coat waterproofing solution with EAD certification for wet area protection in tiling installations, for wet rooms and tanking applications.
• BAL Micromax3 ECO Environmentally conscious grout offering performance, control, and sustainability for professional tilers, in multiple colours.
• BAL XL Floor One Tile adhesive specifically formulated for extra-large format floor tiling applications, highly commended at TTA Awards 2023, for professional tilers and contractors.
• BAL Grout-Effect Sealant Grout-effect silicone sealant for finishing tiling installations, for professional tilers and contractors.
• BAL Simplified Grout Range Simplified flexible grout range for clean tiling finishes, available in multiple colours, for professional tilers.
• BAL Micromax2 Professional grout range available in various colours including anthracite and nature-inspired colourways, for professional tilers and contractors.
• BAL Tank-it Tanking system providing waterproof protection for wet rooms and tanking applications prior to tiling.
• BAL Board Tile backer board providing a stable background for tiling installations, for substrate preparation by professional tilers.
• BAL Level Max All-in-one floor leveller named as top-10 flooring product, for floor preparation prior to tiling, for professional tilers and contractors.
• BAL Easypoxy AG Improved epoxy grout formulation for demanding environments, for professional tilers specifying chemical-resistant grouts.
• BAL Rapid-Flex One Flexible tile adhesive with rapid setting properties for fast-track tiling installations, for professional tilers.
• BAL External Tiling Solutions Complete external tiling and balcony systems including the BAL External Tiling System for outdoor applications, providing fail-safe external tiling solutions.
• BAL Grouts Range Complete range of coloured grouts to suit various tiling needs, supported by a downloadable Grout Board for colour selection, for professional tilers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 25 year guarantee on all products
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• ARDEX Group UKcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAL Adhesives operates as part of ARDEX Group UK, a global leader in construction materials. ARDEX provides strategic direction and shares resources including the ARDEXacademy training facilities. The group includes ARDEX UK Ltd and Building Adhesives Ltd processing personal data in accordance with UK GDPR.
• CTD (Ceramic Tile Distributors)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBAL and CTD have launched joint trade events and maintain a strong distribution relationship. CTD is a major national chain of tile distributors stocking BAL products.
• Cool EarthminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBAL partners with Cool Earth, an environmental organisation working to protect rainforests. The partnership helps protect Amazonian villagers and demonstrates BAL's commitment to sustainability.
• Belvedere StoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNew venture Belvedere Stone has joined forces with BAL, expanding the range of stone tiling solutions supported by BAL products.
• ARDEX Academy NorthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerARDEX Group UK has reopened ARDEXacademy North following major refurbishment. This facility provides training for tiling and flooring professionals in the northern UK.
• Yorkshire Tile CompanyminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBAL and YTC support literacy charity together and maintain distribution relationship through YTC's network of tile showrooms.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bostik (Arkema): Global adhesives and sealants producer across construction, industrial, and consumer segments. Overlaps with BAL's tile and sealant ranges in the UK but operates at much broader portfolio scale across multiple end markets.
• Sika AG: Swiss-headquartered global construction chemicals and sealants major. Directly competes with BAL in waterproofing, tile bonding, and substrate preparation through its Sika-branded ranges, but operates across a much wider construction portfolio.
• Henkel (Pattex / Ceresit): Global adhesives and sealants major with Pattex/ Ceresit ranges in tile and bathroom sealants and waterproofing. Broader incumbent operating in many segments beyond tiling but overlapping with BAL on key waterproofing and sealants SKUs in UK retail.

Direct peers

• Saint-Gobain Weber: Saint-Gobain's tile-and-facade solutions business, producing tile adhesives, grouts, renders, and waterproofing systems. Overlaps with BAL's adhesive, grout, and waterproofing ranges and competes for UK contractor and specifier business.
• Mapei: Italian-headquartered global leader in tile adhesives, grouts, sealants, and construction chemicals. Directly competes with BAL in the UK tile-setting market and in the broader construction chemicals category, and is the most-cited global competitor for specifiers.
• Kerakoll Group: Italian manufacturer of tile installation systems, adhesives, grouts, and waterproofing. Through the acquisition of UK tile brands including UltraTile, Kerakoll is a UK-based head-to-head competitor to BAL's adhesive and grout ranges.
• Norcros Adhesives (Johnson Tiles Adhesives): UK-listed building products group with a tile adhesives and preparation products division. Competes with BAL across adhesives, grouts, and waterproofing for trade and specification customers.
• ARDEX Group: Building Adhesives' parent group within the UK operations, selling sister ranges of tile and substrate preparation systems under the ARDEX brand. Closely comparable in product, channel, and customer profile and competes internally within the ARDEX UK portfolio.
• Tilemaster Adhesives: UK specialist manufacturer of tile adhesives, grouts, levellers, and preparation products. Directly competing on UK trade-counter shelf space with BAL's Micromax, Level Max, and adhesive ranges.

Others

• wedi: German waterproofing and tile system specialist in which ARDEX Group has taken a majority stake, placing it within the same group as BAL. Comparable in waterproofing and external tiling but positioned as a sister brand rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/BALtiling
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCpp2d__knudgR7FzhtnCJzQ
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/building-adhesives-ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/BALtiling

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Building Adhesives