The Floor System for Wet, Hot, and Food-Grade Environments
Polyurethane cement (PU cement) is a water-based hybrid system combining polyurethane resins with a cementitious binder. It’s specified where epoxy flooring fails — in environments with thermal shock, steam cleaning, continuous wet exposure, or stringent food-safety requirements.
Floortek installs PU cement systems into food production, beverage manufacturing, commercial kitchens, cold storage, breweries, and pharmaceutical facilities across South Australia.
Why PU Cement Over Epoxy?
- Thermal shock: -25°C to +120°C without delamination
- Steam-cleanable — epoxy fails under repeated thermal cycling
- Applied over damp concrete — no moisture barrier needed
- R13 / V6 slip rating (DIN 51130) — highest available
- HACCP International certified — Food Zone SSZ
- USDA / CFIA compliant for food processing environments
Applications
Food Production & Processing
HACCP certified (Food Zone SSZ), USDA/CFIA compliant. Seamless and non-porous — no bacterial harbouring
HACCP International | Steam-cleanableBeverage Manufacturing
Resistant to acids, sugars, alcohol, and caustic cleaning agents. R13 slip rating for wet production areas
Chemical resistant | R13/V6 slipCommercial Kitchens
Withstands grease, hot water, and steam cleaning. 6–9 mm system for heavy kitchen traffic, back-of-house through to coolrooms
-25°C to +120°C | 9 mm systemCold Storage & Coolrooms
Performs at -25°C without brittleness. No freeze-thaw delamination. Applied to previously wet substrates
Sub-zero rated | Freeze-thaw stableBreweries & Wineries
Resistant to wort, CO₂ carbonic acid, and caustic cleaning. Meets HACCP requirements for food-grade beverage production
HACCP compliant | Hose-down ratedPharmaceutical & GMP Facilities
Class III impact resistance (≥20 Nm). Compatible with GMP cleaning protocols. Durable for trolley and forklift traffic in sterile zones
>50 N/mm² compressive | AR 0.5 abrasionOur Process
Substrate Assessment
Concrete tested for moisture content, contamination, and structural soundness. PU cement tolerates damp concrete — baseline is documented before work begins.
Surface Preparation
Diamond grinding or shot blasting to minimum CSP 3. The prepared surface is vacuumed and inspected — CSP achieved is documented and signed off before handover to the following trade. All drains, penetrations, and cove junctions are then detailed before system application.
Primer
PU-compatible primer applied to prepared substrate. Provides the moisture-tolerant bond between concrete and the PU cement system.
System Application
Screed and topcoat trowel or roller-applied to full system thickness (typically 6–9 mm). Cove details formed at wall junctions where required for food-grade environments.
Cure & Handover
Foot traffic in 24–48 hours. Full chemical resistance at 7 days. HACCP compliance documentation and product data sheets provided on handover.
PU Cement Projects
We’ve installed PU cement systems into food production facilities, commercial kitchens, cold storage, and industrial environments across South Australia.
Quote Your PU Cement Floor
If your site is wet, hot, or food-grade — send us the floor area and environment details. We’ll confirm the right system and specification.
Get a QuoteFrequently Asked Questions
Why specify polyurethane cement over epoxy in a commercial kitchen?
Standard epoxy coatings can crack under rapid temperature cycling — hot water washdown followed by a cold surface, or steam cleaning. Polyurethane cement is engineered for thermal shock, remaining intact across temperature ranges from -40°C to +120°C. Its slightly textured surface also provides inherent slip resistance when wet — critical in food service environments where a smooth floor becomes hazardous under grease and water.
How does polyurethane cement handle chemical exposure?
PU cement provides strong resistance to acids, alkalis, fats, oils, sugars, and the industrial cleaning agents and sanitisers used in food production and hospitality. The monolithic, coved installation eliminates seams and joints where bacteria can accumulate — making it the preferred flooring system for HACCP-compliant food manufacturing and food retail environments.
Can polyurethane cement be installed in cold storage and freezer rooms?
Yes — PU cement is rated to perform at temperatures as low as -40°C and remains flexible in cold environments, unlike rigid epoxy which can become brittle at low temperatures. The floor area must be at ambient temperature during installation; for active cold storage this typically requires warming the space before Floortek can proceed.
What cove skirting options are available with polyurethane cement floors?
Floortek installs epoxy mortar coves from 50mm radius fillets up to 150mm high food-grade coves at the floor-wall junction. The cove body is formed from a 3-part epoxy mortar compound, which bonds directly to the substrate and is finished as part of the same coating system as the floor for a fully seamless result. Where differential movement is present or additional structural reinforcement and water ingress protection are required — such as at coolroom panel junctions — an aluminium Arrowhead former is embedded into the cove to provide a rigid backing and a clean termination edge.
Does Floortek provide quality assurance documentation on commercial projects?
Yes. Floortek maintains Inspection and Test Plans (ITPs) and QA records on all commercial installations. Before application begins, our calibrated instruments record ambient conditions (temperature and relative humidity), substrate surface temperature, and substrate moisture content — all critical factors for PU cement cure and adhesion. During application, wet film thickness (WFT) is measured at each coat to verify correct film build. Post-cure, dry film thickness (DFT) is confirmed using ultrasound testing. All results are logged and provided to the head contractor or superintendent as part of our quality management package.
