In a process for the manufacture of aqueous floor covering adhesives without the addition of solvents, high-boiling solvents, or plasticizers and with the use of a non-carboxylated styrene/butadiene (SBR) dispersion and of an agent providing initial adhesion, a melt of the agent providing initial adhesion, for example a resin with a melting point of 45 to 98.degree. C., is added to the SBR dispersion under high shear forces for the purpose of obtaining a durably stable emulsion which provides not only high initial adhesion, but also high final strength.