MATERIALS USED

Metz 5NF/5NFA – Epoxy novolac grout and mortar

PROJECT SUMMARY

In dairy processing and food production, the floor is a critical part of the infrastructure. Constant exposure to lactic acid, fats and high-pressure cleaning cycles will quickly cause standard grouts to erode, creating hygiene risks and potential trip hazards. A well-known Victorian commercial dairy producer required repair works to its production floor after the existing grout had degraded from long-term use. A durable, chemical-resistant solution was required, one that could be installed with minimal disruption to the production schedule.

Our team undertook the regrouting using a process designed to adhere to the client’s strict hygiene standards. Near-dustless extraction was achieved using mechanical tooling connected to M-Class dust extraction systems, capturing hazardous dust at the source and ensuring the surrounding processing environment remained uncontaminated during removal of the old grout. All grout lines were then manually detailed and thoroughly vacuumed to ensure an effective bond between the new epoxy grout and the concrete and tile edges. All waste was managed on site and disposed of in coordination with the dairy’s waste management systems.

Metz 5NF Epoxy Grout was supplied and installed in black, matching the existing colour. This high-performance novolac epoxy is specifically engineered to resist the fatty acids and cleaning chemicals used in food areas. The process is safe for use in food production areas without plant closure, and the works were timed so the floor was ready for use the following day, minimising costly production downtime.