Flowcrete Australia announces the first gloss-finish, fully aliphatic polyurethane screed topcoat in the Australasian flooring market.
Cementitious polyurethane screeds are a preferred flooring choice within the food manufacturing and processing sector for their durability; chemical- and slip-resistant surface; impressive thermal shock resistance properties; ability to expand and contract under temperature variables; and versatility of application in both wet and dry production, storage and packaging halls. Polyurethane screeds also provide a seamless floor that is easy to clean and maintain, and prevent build-up of bacteria and other harmful microorganisms in joints and perforated grout lines.
The underlying slab ensures the floor can be cleaned with steam and hot water washdown processes, delivering a sanitary surface that complies with many food safety regulations.
However, despite its international reputation for strong performance in the food and beverage industry, cementitious polyurethane has always had a distinct shortcoming. Some polyurethane surfaces can fade, discolour and chalk over time through exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun and indoor light fixtures. Additionally, matt finish floors, although functional, leave an unattractive result, which can be more difficult to maintain than a gloss finish.
Flowcrete Australia’s latest innovation, Flowfresh FCUV has been designed to counteract the shortcomings of polyurethane floors. Representing the latest in polyurethane chemistry, Flowfresh FCUV is the first gloss-finish aliphatic polyurethane topcoat to be introduced to the Australian market.
Aliphatic polyurethane screeds are based on aliphatic isocyanates and mostly polyester and/or acrylic polyols. ‘Aliphatic’ refers to open-chain (non-cyclic) hydrocarbons, and can also apply to open-chain hydrocarbon subunits of larger organic molecules.
Known for their enhanced strength, colour stability and increased resistance to UV degradation, aliphatic polyurethanes are installed as a thick film and will flow slowly in temperatures above 50°F.
Flowfresh FCUV is available in a wide range of vibrant colours and comes with an easy-to-clean high gloss finish. The material also includes Polygiene, a silver-ion based antimicrobial additive that inhibits the growth and spread of bacteria on the surface of the floor, making it highly suitable for food manufacturing and processing environments.
The newly introduced Flowfresh FCUV has already been installed on an area covering 1,200m² at Sunny Queen Farm’s 4,000m² greenfield egg production facility in Wacol, QLD.
Managing Director Sean Tinsley explains that Flowcrete Australia was instrumental in bringing polyurethane cement technology to the Australian market and was the first and only manufacturer to offer a natural antimicrobial finish. The launch of the new Flowfresh FCUV gloss-finish aliphatic polyurethane cement topcoat in Australia is another major milestone for polyurethane concrete technology.
Flowfresh FCUV is expected to improve the aesthetics and clean-ability of food and beverage environments while still offering the same level of performance features as Flowcrete’s matt finish topcoat.
