The Background
Fonterra Co-operative Group is one of the largest dairy companies in the world, collecting over 14 billion litres of milk a year from New Zealand farms, selling finished goods in more than 140 countries globally. As they continue to grow, Fonterra recently completed an expansion on their processing area for yoghurt, cheese and UHT (a food processing technology that sterilizes liquid food by heating it above 135 degrees celsius), as well as a range of other rehabilitation works.
The Challenge
The combination of heavy traffic (both foot and equipment) harsh operating conditions, combined with the strict hygiene standards and a thorough cleaning regime, meant that Fonterra required a flooring solution that is extremely hard-wearing; resistant to a wide range of materials; able to withstand constant temperature cycling; easy to clean; and has a safe, slip-resistant surface.
Our Solution
Master Builders Solutions was approached to assist in the supply and application of a non-slip aggregate as well as a Ucrete DP floor. The high-performance flooring solution was laid in the newly expanded processing area at Fonterra’s Takanini facility.
The contract for placement of the Ucrete DP floors and preparatory works was awarded to Topcoat Specialist Coatings Ltd and encompassed a total area of approximately 500m2 The Takanini floors were Fonterra’s first Ucrete DP floors, and as such, these sections were also used by the company as a ‘live trial’ to assess the product’s performance under standard operating conditions.
The success of the first two floors at the Takanini plant resulted in Fonterra installing a subsequent Ucrete DP floor in a section of its Reporoa plant. Encompassing an area of 700m2, the Ucrete DP floor that was placed in the Tanker Filling Bay also incorporated a specially hardened non-slip aggregate to provide maximum slip resistance and extreme wear resistance to cater for the high levels of heavy vehicle traffic.
Project Facts at a Glance
Approximately 500m2 Ucrete DP flooring laid in a newly expanded processing area and as part of the refurbishment works in Takanini plant.
Approximately 700m2 Ucrete DP flooring laid in Reporoa plant in the Tanker Filling Bay incorporated a specially hardened non-slip aggregate.
Ucrete DP is easy to clean; and has a safe, slip-resistant surface
Product Facts at a Glance
Ucrete DP is easy to clean; and has a safe, slip-resistant surface
Exceeds 100-year design life specifications
PU-hybrid system
World’s toughest high-performance floor
Wide range of applications, including Textile and film plants, food and beverage production, warehousing and storage, confectionery production, electronic component manufacture and assembly, pharmaceutical production, chemical plants
Customer's Benefit
Ucrete DP provides outstanding performance in demanding conditions
Able to be used as a “live trial” to assess products performance
Available in a range of colours
Able to be used for new floors as well as refurbishment works