Industrial flooring is a cornerstone of operational efficiency, impacting safety, and overall functionality within various business environments. From warehouses to manufacturing plants, right flooring is crucial for maintaining productivity, minimising maintenance costs, and ensuring seamless operations.
A typical industrial floor begins with reinforced concrete, which is then enhanced with resin toppings. Among the most prevalent materials used for floor toppings are epoxies, a century-old technology known for its reliability. However, the durability of these resin toppings largely depends on the quality of the concrete substrate. While water is beneficial for curing green concrete, it poses challenges for resin applications. Therefore, the use of proper slip membranes and vapour barriers is essential to ensure a durable resin floor. Resin-based floor toppings are preferred due to their advantages of fast application times, resistance to commonly used chemicals in industry and variety of colours to choose from.
importance of industrial flooring
Industrial floors must endure significant loads and constant movement, making their design and material selection critical. These floors are the backbone of various industrial activities, supporting heavy machinery and facilitating human and vehicular traffic. Meticulous planning in design, load calculations, and material selection are vital to meet the needs of each industrial environment. Today, the strategic relevant market for concrete floors we know is estimated to be 10 million square metres. This is hardly 20 per cent of the total market, which constitutes the organised sector. The total market for concrete floors in the country is inconceivable. This reflects the immense opportunities and potential over the next decade.
The rise of cementitious flooring systems: Cementitious flooring systems are gaining traction in India, especially for refurbishing existing concrete floors. This approach is cost-effective, and time saving compared to replacing old floors. Cementitious flooring is beneficial in heavy engineering, automotive, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors, where durable floors are essential. We have come a long way in mechanising the laying of concrete slabs today. This, however, has led to other challenges such as cracking, curling, issues with floor leveling and flatness. Attending to these issues with resin-based solutions is not only expensive but also tedious.
Advantages of cementitious flooring across industries: Cementitious floors, on the other hand, offer seamless solutions across various industries. In large shopping malls, they facilitate smooth movement of shopping carts, forklifts, and trolleys, minimising operational disruptions caused by cracked or chipped tiles. In office spaces, these floors provide a perfectly levelled base for various decorative finishes, ensuring aesthetic appeal and functional performance.
Refurbishing with the CEMTOP range: For oil-soaked industrial floors, Fosroc’s CEMTOP range offers an effective refurbishment solution. This cementitious topping is engineered to meet the demands of manufacturing environment, providing a durable and chemical-resistant surface capable of withstanding heavy loads. Once densified, the floors offer high resistance to liquid contamination and provide a dust-free surface.
Ensuring optimal performance: The performance of cementitious flooring is influenced by type and condition of vehicles operating over it. Trolleys and forklifts, whether manual or hydraulic, must be maintained to prevent floor abrasion and physical damage. Proper wheel alignment and maintenance are crucial for extending the floor’s lifespan.
Fosroc’s pioneering flooring solutions: Fosroc offers cutting-edge flooring solutions that stand out for four decades in the industry. Our products provide adhesion, chemical resistance, rapid curing, and resistance to abrasion and wear, making them ideal for the industrial settings’ demands. With the inauguration of our fifth manufacturing facility at Hyderabad, Fosroc is geared up to cater to the market demands. The industrial flooring advancements, particularly in resin and cementitious systems, provide firms with reliable solutions to enhance their efficiency. By selecting the right options, the firms can ensure safety, durability, and functionality thus contributing to long-term success.
Rohit.Saxena@Fosroc.com
Tel: +91 (080) 4252 1900
Mob: +91 96502 26667