Supermarket giant floored by Sikafloor-22N PurCem system

Ongoing maintenance issues with flooring led supermarket group Coles to commission a rigorous trial of polyurethane concrete-based resin flooring to find a finish that could withstand the demands of busy food preparation areas.

Finding that their epoxy floor finishes in the deli, bakery and chicken preparation areas constantly needed repairs and maintenance, the supermarket group commissioned the six-month trial, examining a range of floors for quality, durability, wear and overall safety.

Coles selected Sika’s Sikafloor-22N PurCem finish based on its suitability for food preparation areas, including slip resistance, heat resistance and resistance to food acids and fats - especially chicken fat. Coles found it to be flexible, quick-drying and easy to maintain and clean.

The Sikafloor-22N PurCem in a Coles food preparation area.

Sikafloor-22N PurCem is a water-based polyurethane screed with a 4 to 9 mm thickness suitable for wet or dry processing environments including bakeries, meat and dairy preparation, commercial kitchens and catering facilities. The fast-curing product, which can be applied to green concrete, offers high wear and thermal shock resistance and is certified for food industry use.

Coles needed to consider downtime when selecting a flooring system. Sikafloor PurCem’s speed of placement, mostly with a single step application, enables completion within tight time frames and even in live trading situations, making it a suitable choice for Coles’ needs.

Installed with integrated coving for a seamless finish, the Sikafloor PurCem is expected to withstand constant traffic, impact from utensils, hot water washdown, cleaning chemicals and food acids. It also has a neutral odour and low VOC emissions.

“Surfaces within all food-related businesses, from manufacturing to service, must be durable to withstand the constant demands placed on them - and flooring is one of the most vital components,” said Anthony Lewis, Project Manager, Sika Australia.

“A pressing problem in the industry is the breakdown of floors due to food acid attack, resulting in constant and costly repair and resurfacing works to fix damaged floors. The Sikafloor system is a solution to long-term floor maintenance, while also upholding hygiene, health and safety standards.”

Having passed the rigorous six-month Coles trial, the supermarket group has installed the Sikafloor-22N PurCem system in 30 Coles supermarkets as part of a national specification, with additional stores to be refurbished in coming months.