Knauf's PROPLAK® SNOW: a range of powder joint compounds for plasterboard

As the world's leading plasterboard producer, Knauf has just co-developed, in close collaboration with French applicators/jointers, PROPLAK® SNOW, a new range of powder joint compounds that meets the expectations of all types of users in France. This offer, which required two years of development, is a smart complement to Knauf's PROPLAK® ready-mixed joint compounds. Fully taking into account the essential characteristics that French applicators need, this new range boasts extreme whiteness, easy gliding and a perfect consistency for staying on the hawk. These intrinsic qualities, so valued by professionals, make PROPLAK® SNOW powder compounds solutions that are both technical and accessible to all.

The breadth of the PROPLAK® SNOW range also ideally matches professionals' working habits. The range includes 5 products, among them 4 compounds with different setting times (1/2/4 or 8 hours, depending on the type of joint treatment to be carried out on site) and a 24-hour drying compound, Proplak® Finish, which is particularly effective for the finishing coat on joints and for the full skim coating of plasterboard. These new products have been on sale since September 2023 at building materials merchants and at specialist Finishes/Decoration outlets.

PROPLAK® SNOW: the genesis, a close collaboration with professionals

To co-design this new range, Knauf demonstrated true formulation development expertise by focusing on ?the balance of the best?. The manufacturer was able to count on the involvement of 40 French companies, of all sizes and from all regions, some of which are members of the Cercle du Plâtre (a network of expert Knauf plasterers who are passionate about plaster and partners in the co-development of solutions).

The aim, as Audrey Colantuono, Interior Fit-out Product Manager, explains: ?To align Knauf's technical expertise with the expectations of leading applicators, in order to co-develop a range of powder compounds dedicated to plasterboard jointing, which had to deliver impeccable professional quality while remaining accessible to all, meeting the expectations of as many applicators as possible?. She concludes: ?The PROPLAK® SNOW range was thus developed with a high level of requirements in order to offer outstanding application comfort and an exceptional finish.?

After designing the first formulation proposals, Knauf had them tested. First through blind tests, providing objective feedback from applicators regardless of the formulation. Then, over several months, in situ on real job sites across the whole of France. With more than 1800 bags tested by 40 plasterboard jointing experts, the feedback made it possible to refine and arrive at the final formulations, adapted to regional specificities, to the stages of joint treatment and even to the types of job sites.

PROPLAK® SNOW: essential characteristics for plasterers and jointers

These 5 new PROPLAK® SNOW formulations thus form an offer perfectly suited to the wishes of applicators seeking quality of application and of final finish. With optimized glide on the substrate thanks to a texture that is pleasant to work with, PROPLAK® SNOW compounds guarantee application comfort and beautiful finishes. Better still, while their extreme whiteness is a mark of quality and makes subsequent painting easier, their excellent hold on the tool ensures clean, neat work. ?Intrinsic qualities that inspired the name of the new range and the parallel with snow?, emphasizes Audrey Colantuono.

Thanks to a pH-neutral formulation that uses mostly natural materials, the new PROPLAK® SNOW powder compounds are gentle on applicators' skin. In addition, the 5 new PROPLAK® SNOW powder compounds have an A+ rating for indoor air quality, the best possible level in the classification.

PROPLAK® SNOW: 5 products to cover all job sites for all applicators

To cover as many job site needs as possible, the new offer of 5 PROPLAK® SNOW products is perfectly complementary.