The perfect solution for floor and wall

The excellent cleaning ability of the iQ floor coverings has been confirmed by the Fraunhofer Riboflavin Test. (Photo: Tarkett)

The cleanroom imposes very special requirements. Tarkett has the perfect solution for floors and walls – and is presenting it for the first time at the Cleanzone in Frankfurt. (Photo: Tarkett)

In Hall 1.2, Stand D19, Tarkett presented its flooring collections iQ Toro SC, iQ Granit SD, iQ Granit, iQ Eminent, iQ Optima, and iQ Natural at Cleanzone. (Photo: Tarkett)

The Tarkett concept for clean rooms was developed to enable perfect cleaning of corners and skirting boards. (Photo: Tarkett)

Highest safety guaranteed: The Tarkett collection iQ Toro SC has an electrical resistance of R ≤ 10^6 Ω (EN 1081). (Photo: Tarkett)

For the first time, Tarkett was present at Cleanzone 2024 in Frankfurt as an exhibitor. On September 25 and 26, Europe's leading manufacturer of innovative and sustainable flooring and wall coverings showcased integrated solutions that meet and even exceed strict cleanroom standards.

Cleanzone is the trade fair for cleanroom and cleanliness technology, hygiene, and contamination control in Frankfurt am Main. Cutting-edge topics, solutions for production in cleanrooms, and optimizations in cleanliness technology are the focus of the international trade fair and conference program. Cleanzone covers the entire process chain – from planning and setting up cleanrooms to measurement techniques, consumables, entry and exit logistics, and packaging.

The choice of the right flooring and wall covering also plays a significant role in cleanrooms: The cleanliness of surfaces (ISO 14644-9) and their cleanability are of central importance. Additionally, products must withstand chemicals (ISO 26987) and bacteria (ISO 846), be disinfectable with a broad spectrum of substances, and in special application areas, radioactive decontamination capability (ISO 8690) is a technical criterion in the planning and construction of cleanrooms.

“Our flooring and wall coverings are characterized by their performance strength and are particularly suitable for use in demanding cleanroom environments. They prevent the development and proliferation of bacteria and, in addition to excellent cleanability, feature outstanding stain and chemical resistance. Last but not least, our recommended flooring and wall coverings for cleanrooms meet at least the criteria of Class 4 according to ISO 14644-1, thus contributing significantly to the controlled minimization of airborne particles,” explains Stefan Reinsch, Head of Sales Industry at Tarkett D/A/CH.

In Hall 1.2, Stand D19, Tarkett presents its flooring collections iQ Toro SC, iQ Granit SD, iQ Granit, iQ Eminent, iQ Optima, and iQ Natural. For wall surfaces, ProtectWall 2CR and Wallgard are in focus. They ensure optimal transitions between wall and floor, offer excellent cleaning properties, and provide the best possible prevention of dust and particle abrasion. Tarkett flooring meets the requirements of ISO 3 and ISO 4, easily surpassing the standards set for operating rooms according to ISO 5. Tarkett ProtectWALL 2CR even meets the requirements of ISO 1.

Hygiene: No Place for Germs

Germs that cause infections or contamination can accumulate everywhere, from baseboards and window sills to walls and floors. In cleanrooms, recesses or unfavorable angles should be avoided, as they are difficult to clean and disinfect. Surfaces must be easily accessible, smooth, waterproof, and resistant to bacteria and chemicals. “The Tarkett concept for cleanrooms was developed to enable perfect cleaning of corners and baseboards. Our tub-shaped baseboard design and our cove profiles are designed so that their radius corresponds to the standard sizes of common cleaning machine disks. An interior without sharp angles offers no hiding place for germs or dust particles,” emphasizes Reinsch.

The tub-shaped baseboard also ensures a waterproof flooring level, creating gas- and vapor-tight surfaces in the floor and wall areas through thermal welding, which can, following common practice, be disinfected with gaseous hydrogen peroxide.

In terms of static electricity, Tarkett floors also make a decisive contribution to creating controlled environments. Electric charges are conducted, depending on the chosen flooring quality, with varying resistance to a grounding point. With iQ Toro SC, an electrically conductive floor is available, which is complemented by iQ Granit SD as a dissipative variant. Ultimately, the type of devices installed in the room and the activities performed determine which flooring is used – Tarkett guarantees the right solution for all cases.

The excellent cleanability of the iQ flooring has been confirmed by the Fraunhofer Riboflavin Test. The range of homogeneous floors manufactured in Sweden is recognized worldwide for its sustainability. The flooring contains an average of 25% recycled material, is produced 100% with renewable energy, and lasts 30 years or more. It can be recycled through Tarkett’s ReStart® take-back and recycling program (offcuts from installation and post-use), leading to lower carbon emissions, as each square meter of recycled homogeneous iQ vinyl flooring saves a total of 11.8 kg of CO2 equivalent. The collection was developed according to the health and sustainability standards of Cradle to Cradle® principles. The coverings are, of course, free of phthalates, biocides, and heavy metals.