Flowcrete will be at Ecobuild showcasing how its pioneering flooring technology is working to achieve a more sustainable future.
The flooring manufacturer will be at stand number 2470 for the event, which takes place from 02 to 04 March 2010 at Earl’s Court, London.
In the UK alone, Flowcrete spends more than £600,000 on research and development – globally amounting to £1.3m. This approach enables the company to focus on new innovations, paying particular attention to greener processes.
The company’s environmental activities are far-ranging and include the development of innovative flooring systems, including energy saving Isowarm underfloor heating – as well as more sustainable processes in the manufacture and installation of its products.
There is an extensive reuse and recycle policy in place, which includes of the use of recycled products from heavy industry waste streams - including pulverised fuel ash (PFA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag - in its manufacturing process.
Flowcrete has also introduced recycled glass aggregate and light reflective mirrors into some of its resin floor finishes, to aid reflectivity and reduce lighting need.
It has also cut packaging waste by supplying goods in recyclable, reusable intermediate bulk containers and 200 litre drum containers - reducing the number of vehicles transporting Flowcrete materials and tackling the industry practice of packaging resin floor products in tins.
Sustainable systems include Flowcrete’s Floorzone, which caters for the complete floor area and incorporates the acoustic layer, Isowarm underfloor heating, screed and decorative resin finish.
The entire Floorzone package is designed, manufactured and supplied by Flowcrete and installed by Flowcrete approved contractors.
At the construction stage, the concept offers sustainable benefits, with all products arriving on site from one source, and the number of contractor visits to site reduced. Floorzone also offers a single warranty for the installation.
In terms of life-cycle costings, a major feature of the system is the energy savings of up to 30 per cent generated by the use of Isowarm underfloor heating, compared to conventional heating systems.
Floorzone won the prestigious Best In Show at Interbuild in 2009, for its innovative approach to green construction methods.
Alan Dean, sales director of Flowcrete, based in Cheshire, said: “All Flowcrete floors are designed with sustainability in mind and have been used in BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rated projects, such as University Campus Suffolk.
“Our Isowarm underfloor heating system is also working well with emerging technologies such as biomass boilers, as well as ground and air source pumps.”
Other sustainable products from Flowcrete being showcased at the event include Mondéco, an exceptionally hard-wearing seamless terrazzo that - once installed - can remain in place for decades, with very little maintenance required.
These long-lasting qualities mean it can stay in-situ when other shorter life-cycle floors have to be re-installed due to wear and tear, avoiding detriment to the environment in three key areas; the uplift, removal and disposal of the worn-out floor finish, the manufacturing procedure of new flooring and even more preparation to repeat the installation.
Mondéco also requires cleaning procedures with little concern to the environment, particularly as it is smooth, flat, seamless and sealed – and, after many years’ service, once it has finished its job, can be removed as non-hazardous waste or even floored over.