Diamond Admixtures is promoting a unique resin system that cures and dries within two hours, facilitating the instalment of floors or renovation of existing facilities, while offering a solution that is proven and environment-friendly.

Silikal MMA resin, as it is known, can bond directly to ceramic tiles, marble, wood, metal, screed or concrete, eliminating the need to remove the existing floor and thus avoiding having to close the facility, be it a factory, restaurant, hotel, school, hospital or any other functional building.

Diamond Admixtures general manager John Bowry says: “Silikal MMA resin is completely seamless, making it waterproof, hygienic, easy to clean, and is resistant to chemicals, organic acids and food. It is offered with up to 20 years guarantee including the application. This apart, with over 60 years of experience in application over failed tiled or resin floors in Europe, it is the ideal choice for floors.”

The resin ... suited for kitchen floors.

The system was used at the Fairmont Bab Al Bahr in Abu Dhabi, UAE, where the tiled floor had started to show signs of wear and tear two years after installation. The client was faced with the problem of having to bring in mobile kitchens, disrupting the working kitchens and replacing the whole floor including the screed, which would have taken months to complete.

It was then that Silikal MMA resin was introduced to the engineers working on the Fairmont. “We prepared the existing ceramic tiles by cleaning, grinding and repairing hollow tiles; we then primed the floor, which dried in 15 minutes, before applying the 100-mm coving around the whole perimeter and onto the existing kitchen units,” says Bowry.

“We then applied the body coat at 3 mm thickness before spreading the coloured quartz (colour chosen by hotel) and sealing the whole floor with two coats of Silikal MMA sealer. The whole process took two hours from start to finish at night without disruption to the working kitchen – which started cooking breakfast from 6 the next morning.”

The Fairmont in Abu Dhabi now has a light coloured, seamless, hygienic, waterproof floor that will last for many years. Being light coloured, it allows dirt to be detected and cleaned easily, thus helping in keeping the floors of the food preparation areas clean, he adds.

Since completing the floor in the Fairmont hotel, Silikal has been used for the One & Only hotel in Dubai, Central Market Abu Dhabi, London Fish and Chips, Bateux Dubai, White Orchid Restaurant in the UAE, plus many other projects where floors have presented a challenge.

Silikal MMA resin offers a host of benefits for both the contractor and client, according to a spokesman for Diamond Admixtures. “Silikal MMA resin is not bonded chemically, therefore, there is no need for waiting 24 hours between coats. This makes Silikal five times faster to install than polyurethanes or epoxy coatings,” he says.

“It has better chemical resistance than polyurethanes and epoxy resin, making it the number one choice for industrial floors. It is totally waterproof, even in a structure with up to 95 per cent relative humidity, unlike polyurethanes, which are sensitive to moisture and will fail. Also, the Silikal MMA resin has self-levelling properties, leaving no trowel marks such as those obtained with polyurethanes screeds.

“Furthermore, refurbishment or repairs are very easy. Just clean, prepare and install Silikal MMA resin directly over the old Silikal MMA resin. There is no need to replace the whole floor, even after 20 years,” says the spokesman.

A unique feature of the system is that both the application by licensed applicators as well as the product is guaranteed. This can be up to 20 years depending on the system.

The product has been proven in use for more than 60 years in mechanical rooms, food areas, hospitals, airports and beverage factories.

This apart, Silikal MMA resin is VOC (volatile organic compounds)-free, making it an environment-friendly solution in a market that is increasing seeking “green” options.

Diamond Admixtures was set up in the UAE to offer quality, high-performance floor screeds. Based in Ras Al Khaimah and with offices in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the company is well positioned to service the entire UAE. Its products have been independently tested to ensure that they suit the climate of the region.

Well aware that products are only as good as the contractor installing them, Diamond Admixtures has licensed applicators to apply its products, to ensure that it can offer a system that is guaranteed.