Flowcrete is the UK resin-floor specialist that brought silver-ion antimicrobial technology into the PU-cement floor matrix. Acquired by the Mapei Group through the Tremco CPG transaction, the brand now operates under Mapei's umbrella while retaining its distinct product identity. The flagship Flowfresh PU-cement with Polygiene technology is the most-cited antimicrobial floor in 2026 dairy, infant-formula, and pharmaceutical specifications.
The Polygiene antimicrobial story
Polygiene is a Swedish-developed silver-ion (Ag+) antimicrobial technology, originally engineered for textiles, then adapted by Flowcrete for the PU-cement matrix. Silver ions are released slowly across the floor's service life and inhibit bacterial colonisation at the surface. The mechanism is mechanical-chemical: Ag+ binds to sulphur groups in bacterial cell walls and disrupts cell function. Tested colony reduction across E.coli, S.aureus, Listeria, and Pseudomonas exceeds 99.9% on Flowfresh vs uncoated PU-cement controls.
The technology matters because the floor in dairy, meat-processing, and infant-formula plants is itself a contamination vector. Standard PU-cement is non-porous and hygienic but does not actively suppress bacterial growth where it lands. Flowfresh adds an active control mechanism, and the silver-ion approach (unlike biocidal topcoats) lasts the floor's service life rather than wearing off in months.
The product range
- Flowfresh HF (Heavy-Duty)
- 6–9 mm trowelled PU-cement with Polygiene Ag+ in matrix. R11–R13 slip. HACCP-certified. The reference SKU for heavy food-production and dairy floors.
- Flowfresh MF (Medium)
- 4–6 mm trowelled variant. Same antimicrobial chemistry, lower thickness for medium-duty applications.
- Flowfresh SR (Slip-Resistant)
- 4 mm self-smoothing with broadcast aggregate for R12–R13 wet-area slip. Used in commercial kitchens, food prep, brewery wash-down zones.
- Flowfresh HF LT (Low-Temperature)
- Install down to 5°C, designed for cold-store fit-out and refrigeration plant retrofits where production cannot warm the space for installation.
- Flowshield SL
- Standard epoxy self-levelling 2–3 mm — Flowcrete's competitor to Sikafloor-263 SL. No antimicrobial; for dry industrial floors.
- Mondéco terrazzo
- Decorative epoxy terrazzo with mineral aggregate, polished to a mirror finish. Used in high-design commercial floors, museums, hospitality. Different category from Flowfresh.
- Deckshield ID / Deckshield Rangepark
- Car-park deck PU systems. Crack-bridging, waterproof, R-class slip. Used on multi-storey car parks and exposed mezzanine decks.
Where Flowcrete wins
- Antimicrobial spec. Polygiene is the only PU-cement antimicrobial that publishes independent third-party microbial test data at parity. For dairy, infant-formula, pharma, and healthcare-grade kitchen tenders, Flowfresh is the default — not because it is the only option, but because no competitor matches the published test data and the certification depth.
- Reference list. Nestlé production sites, Coca-Cola, Müller dairy, multiple pharma cold-chain facilities. UK academic partnerships (Mondéco terrazzo at Oxford colleges, Loughborough sports facilities).
- Mapei distribution backbone. Post-acquisition, Flowcrete now ships through Mapei's IL channel (Mapei IL or specialty importers depending on SKU). This is a stronger position than the standalone Flowcrete era pre-acquisition.
Where Flowcrete loses
- Thermal extreme. Flowfresh HF holds –40°C to 120°C continuous. Above 120°C contact or in cryogenic spill zones, Ucrete UD200 owns the envelope.
- IL channel depth. Mapei IL's infrastructure is thinner than Sika's; specifiers should verify Mapefloor + Flowfresh applicator pools in writing before tender close.
- Brand identity confusion. Post-Mapei, some specifiers reflexively write "Mapefloor CPU/HD" expecting antimicrobial — but Bioblock is Mapei's silver-ion line, Polygiene is Flowcrete's. The two are not interchangeable in TDS, even though they share the parent company. Specify by exact SKU.
The Bioblock vs Polygiene question
Mapei now owns two silver-ion antimicrobial PU-cement lines: Bioblock (Mapei's original) and Polygiene (acquired with Flowcrete). Both work; both publish test data; both target the same applications. For a 2026 specification, the choice between Bioblock and Polygiene is partly heritage (engineers who specified Flowfresh for fifteen years stay with Polygiene) and partly portfolio fit (Bioblock integrates into Mapei's existing infrastructure, Polygiene retains the Flowcrete UK channel). Either is defensible; both close the antimicrobial requirement.
Final read
Flowcrete Flowfresh is the right specification when the project demands active antimicrobial in the floor matrix and accepts Flowcrete's thermal envelope (–40°C to 120°C). For projects exceeding that thermal range, default to Ucrete. For projects with no antimicrobial requirement, Sikafloor PurCem is typically the safer channel choice. The Mondéco terrazzo and Deckshield car-park lines are credible standalone specs in their categories but compete on aesthetic and waterproofing rather than the antimicrobial story.
Related: PU-cement Big-3 comparison · Ucrete brand profile · Industrial Big-3 brand comparison.
Sources
- Flowcrete corporate
- Flowfresh MF TDS
- Flowfresh HF LT (low-temperature install)
- Polygiene silver-ion antimicrobial technology
- HACCP International — flooring product certification register.
- EN 13813 SR-B2.0 — Flowfresh declared performance class.