Flowcrete Flowfresh antimicrobial floors

Flowcrete has secured International HACCP Certification for its Flowfresh range of antimicrobial enhanced polyurethane floors.

This certification means that food and beverage producers operating a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)-based food safety program can specify flooring materials that will meet the relevant regulatory authority’s standards for safe procurement, production and processing.

The floors have been created in partnership with antimicrobials manufacturer Polygiene. A silver-ion-based bactericidal additive is added into the flooring material, which eliminates up to 99.9% of bacteria that comes into contact with the coating.

The floors also meet the ISO 22196 standard, which measures a surface’s antibacterial effectiveness.

The Polygiene agent is homogenously distributed throughout the floor’s finish. This formulation means that should the coating ever chip, any contaminants that fall into that space will still be exposed to the antimicrobial ingredient.

HACCP guidelines state that a seamless and impervious finish must be maintained at all times, and floors also need to allow for adequate drainage and cleaning. The coating can be laid to falls and incorporate stainless steel drainage to channel contaminants and excess liquid out of the area. Coving can also be incorporated to create a seamless, easily cleanable transition to the wall, and the floor’s texture can be tailored to best suit the on-site cleaning regime.

The polyurethane finish also prevents common food industry by-products like fats, acids, blood and oils from seeping into the underlying concrete and damaging the substrate.