Founded in 1957, Vaber Industriale has become a significant player on both the Italian and international industrial markets. Initially focusing on advanced materials for automotive and construction, the company has grown substantially over the past six decades, expanding its product portfolio and heavily investing in research and development.
Vaber is headquartered in Turin and operates globally through a network of distributors and partners. The mission is to provide innovative and environmentally sustainable industrial materials that meet the increasingly complex needs of their customers.
We spoke with Floris Somers, CEO of Vaber Industriale.
Before going into the nautical side, can you give us a brief overview of the products in the different sectors that you make and market?
We have a diverse range of products across multiple sectors. In the automotive industry, our Plexus structural adhesives bond composite parts like seats and thermoplastic components such as spoilers and dashboards. In the railway sector, we developed our Shield Paint, an EN 45455/HL3-certified intumescent paint, for corrosion protection coating of train carriages’ underbody and end-walls.
For the bus manufacturing sector, our solvent and isocyanate-free Multibond and Cristal Car Plus adhesives are used extensively for bonding thermoplastic, composite, and metal body parts, including windscreens. Our products are also widely used in body shops worldwide for underbody protection, sealing, windscreen replacement, and repairing plastic and composite components.
Which products best represent you?
We are the exclusive distributor of Plexus structural adhesives, known for their reliability and versatility. In the yacht-building market, for example, high-performance marine adhesives like Plexus MA 590 are ideal for bonding hulls and decks due to their strength and durability, perfect for demanding marine conditions. Plexus MA 420/425 offers excellent mechanical and adhesion properties for general structural bonding, ensuring strength and safety.
The new Plexus MA 8000 series is particularly innovative for its ability to bond materials like nylon and titanium without pre-treatment, simplifying the production process while ensuring strong adhesion.
And beyond adhesives?
We offer a range of products under the Vaber brand, widely used by yacht manufacturers. Our Spray Tack is a spray adhesive used to temporarily secure fabrics or composite materials during layup in the mold, known for its 100% resin compatibility, ease of application, and reliable hold. Yacht-building adhesives such as Advantseal DC, a non-hazardous sealant specifically designed for deck caulking, are highly valued for their elasticity, resistance to weathering, UV, and chemicals.
It provides excellent adhesion for natural, synthetic, and recycled teak applications. Recently, we’ve introduced Armor 3X, an advanced PTFE-based corrosion protection coating that provides an effective barrier against corrosion and wear, extending the life of treated surfaces.
Our line of custom adhesives for the marine sector, known for their quick adherence and strong bond, are used in a wide range of industrial and craft applications, making them ideal for situations requiring fast curing and robust adhesion.
Can you explain aluminium foam’s applications for the nautical sector?
Lightweight aluminium foam is a newly developed metallic material expanded into a sponge-like structure after casting aluminium ingots with various performance additives. It features an internal structure of hollow cells, making it lightweight, energy-absorbing, and low in thermal conductivity.
This foam has excellent sound-absorbing properties, liquid and air permeability, making it suitable for a wide range of applications. For the nautical sector, aluminium foam can reduce the overall weight of boat hulls without compromising strength; it improves thermal and acoustic insulation for yachts when used in internal bulkheads and provides lightweight and durable solutions for flooring, and offers light and comfortable structural components for seats and furniture. It is also recyclable, thus environmentally friendly.
Do you have patented technologies that make your products unique?
We employ a wide range of advanced technologies and materials. Our products result from continuous innovations in formulations and production processes, enabling us to offer proprietary solutions. The same applies to the products we distribute. A good example is the technology known as Core Shell, by ITW: it is based on microcapsules with an active core and a protective shell, enhancing the strength and durability of the Plexus structural adhesives, making them extremely resistant to the maritime operational environment.
Another high-tech product is our Spray Tack Plus, a repositionable spray adhesive designed specifically for fabric set-up in infusion processes. Its total compatibility with all major resin systems makes it highly versatile. This adhesive simplifies preparation and application processes and is available in a concentrated version, reducing the use of disposable cans and minimizing environmental impact.
What is your target market?
We cater to those who seek stability in both products and supply. We serve a wide range of customers in the yachting industry, offering high-quality materials for luxury yacht construction and maintenance, where reliability is crucial. We also work with distributors who supply our materials to shipyards, workshops, and private customers, ensuring extensive coverage and efficient distribution. Our strong supply chain presence in Italy and Europe allows us to guarantee a stable and timely supply.
Do you provide for customisation?
Our approach is always centred around the customer. We start by thoroughly understanding their specific needs and challenges; from there, we carefully evaluate our range of products to deliver the best-fitting solution. Additionally, we are structured to offer tailor-made solutions for large applications whenever needed, ensuring the most effective and optimized outcomes for our customers. At Vaber, it’s all about delivering the right solution for every unique situation. We pride ourselves on being flexible and responsive, ensuring that our products meet the highest standards and align perfectly with what our customers are looking for.
What are the most frequent requests from your customers?
Innovation and timeliness are our most frequent requests. In the marine sector, customers look for materials that improve boat performance, often seeking to reduce overall weight without compromising strength and durability. In extreme climatic conditions, onboard comfort is essential, leading to a demand for materials that reduce noise and maintain a stable interior temperature. Corrosion protection is also a significant concern, as the marine environment requires materials that offer superior corrosion protection, ensuring greater longevity of boat structures and components.
