U.S.-Sourced, U.S.-Manufactured Lime Putty and Limewash

American Clay Adds US-sourced/made Lime Putty to Sustainable, Healthy Offerings

Albuquerque, NM (January, 2010) – Award-winning, patented American Clay Enterprises kicks off 2010 with a major addition to their line of natural, sustainable and healthy plasters for interior walls and ceilings. The company is introducing their own Lime Putty. This lime putty can be used for gauging, or adding to, American Clay’s Earth Plasters and also mixed to make limewash. One primary element that makes the American Clay lime products uniquely more sustainable–and LEED friendly–than most lime putty used in the U.S. is that the lime is U.S. sourced. Based on the successful preview at Greenbuild International Expo in November, builders and architects are eager for the products which are both a natural evolution for the line, and an example of American Clay’s consistent response to its users’ needs. Both products are available as of this month.

American Clay–which helps provide top indoor air quality, beauty and potential energy savings–has long wanted a U.S. made Lime Putty to augment the breadth of their interior clay plasters. But it was important to them to be able to source the lime locally. Most lime putty used in the U.S. is imported from European or Mediterranean countries, which significantly affects the product’s carbon footprint. American Clay can contribute up to eight LEED points (five in most areas) across various sections of the LEED-NC rating system.

“We always knew the benefits of adding lime to the clay. The main issue was that a dry material is less stable over time, and most of the available putty was coming from overseas,” observes CEO and co-Founder Croft Elsaesser. “Staying true to local sourcing for the main products has been key, and we are pleased to be able to provide a high quality lime putty from domestic sources. From being awarded our patent last February, to celebrating our seven-year anniversary and now this, it’s been a great year.”

While many of the American Clay products can be used by a wide range of professionals and do-it-yourselfers, the Lime Putty is primarily a professional product, used to ‘gauge’, or harden, a plaster. Lime Putty is ’slaked’ lime forming putty, processed to provide additional hardness when added to and used with American Clay Plasters. The addition of the Lime Putty to the original earth plasters lowers the working, time of the plaster, but the end result is a harder finish, achieving near maximum hardness in six months. Similarly, the limewash should be used by trained American Clay Artisans, or experienced plaster professionals familiar with lime putty and its properties.

The Lime Putty as a gauging material can be added to all American Clay applications: the ‘two-coat process’ original plasters (Loma, Porcelina or Marittimo) or the commercial, single-coat Enjarre plaster; application procedures are the same as without it. It is packaged in 1-gallon buckets weighing 10 lbs, with a retail cost of $42.00 plus shipping. Adding the Lime Putty to the second coat of any of their plasters will increase the square footage of coverage by approximately 10%.

The Lime Putty for limewash is also highly anticipated. This is brushed on to a porous interior surface to enhance and enrich American Clay color, to completely change the color of your plaster, and provide sheen to the plaster. The brushed limewash can cover 200-400 square feet of wall space, per gallon per coat. American Clay’s website will host a “YouTube” video showing the application of American Clay limewash beginning January 8th.

ABOUT AMERICAN CLAY ENTERPRISES, INC:
American Clay Enterprises, Inc., based in Albuquerque, NM, produces patented, award-winning, all-natural interior wall finishing products. Their Earth Plasters and the commercial ENJARRE single coat plaster are a unique combination of clays, aggregates and natural pigments that offer builders and consumers a natural and elegant option. There is no off-gassing nor inherent waste on-site. The plasters contain zero VOCs, are non-flammable, are mold resisting (without toxic fungicides), absorb odors, provide temperature and humidity buffering, repair/clean easily and come in recyclable packaging. American Clay, with an extremely low carbon footprint, is uniquely manufactured in the U.S. and made of materials found in the U.S. The product and various workshops are available through their New Mexico office or through one of the growing number of retailers and distributors across the U.S. The website, www.americanclay.com, offers information on products, ordering, technical specifications, product application and additional resources and links.
U.S. PAT No. 7,485,186 B2