Less waste and sustainable use of materials

The first detachable and circular cast floor comes from Haaksbergen!

The construction industry is in a profound transition. Circularity is no longer hype, but necessity. Climate change, raw material scarcity and stricter ESG criteria demand sustainable choices from architects, clients, project and property developers and suppliers. Uzin Utz takes this responsibility seriously and is committed to reducing emissions, energy efficiency, water conservation, waste separation and the use of recycled materials, with the aim of making all its products circular. A great milestone in this context is the introduction of the Arturo Release-
Floor. This first detachable and circular cast floor is a crucial link in the circular transition of construction, offering a unique combination of sustainability and design.

“Following themes such as bio-based building and recycling, the demand for detachability and circular construction is growing. Until recently, however, cast floors offered no opportunity for this,” illustrates Tom Borggreve, Manager of Product Management at Uzin Utz. “After all, they were permanently attached to the floor and caused waste when replaced. The Arturo ReleaseFloor now changes this. Indeed, thanks to its innovative system construction - using the Arturo AC6600 Release Primer and PU6030 Release Scraper Coat as a base - it creates a releaseable and recyclable PU screed that is not only seamless and aesthetic, but also circular and future-proof. The result is a flooring solution whose primer can be reused at least three times, while the scraper layer and screed are in principle unlimitedly recyclable.”

Trusted processing

“The Arturo ReleaseFloor does not differ in construction from traditional cast flooring systems,” Borggreve emphasizes. “Applicators can therefore process the floors in the familiar way. The secret lies particularly in the primer, which ensures that the adhesion of the cast floors meets all current requirements, while at the same time the floors can be easily removed. Without chopping or breaking and without damaging the substrate, the new cast floor can also be laid easily and cost-effectively. After all, fewer operations are required in this case. For removing the old cast floor, we recommend the WOLFF Vario Stripper, for the best results.” Since the scraper layer and cast floor consist of the same chemical composition, they can both be ground into granules and used as filler in new scraper layers or cast floors. “This creates a new circular flooring solution that contributes to less waste as well as a sustainable use of materials. This overcomes resource depletion in a smart way.”

Certificate

ReleaseFloor is compatible with Arturo PU2030 and PU2050 Cast Floors. Buyers can rely on the familiar quality, properties and appearance while meeting circular building goals. “To encourage recycling of the cast floors, Arturo takes the entire process out of our hands,” says Nadine Schuurmans, Sustainability Specialist at Uzin Utz Netherlands. “From collecting the old cast floors at end-of-life to shredding and processing the recycled raw materials.” 

Borggreve: “End users receive an official certificate upon completion with all the relevant sustainability labels. But also with information about removing the detachable floor. This certificate can easily be transferred upon sale or rental, so that we can also process these floors in the correct (sustainable) way in twenty or thirty years from now.”

Highest sustainability and quality standards 

ReleaseFloor meets the highest sustainability and quality standards, Schuurmans emphasizes. “That makes the floor a valuable choice in projects with stringent ESG requirements. The system is AgBB-certified, which means it is low-emission and contributes to a healthy indoor climate. It also has a DIBt Gutachten, which confirms compliance with all building codes. ReleaseFloor fits seamlessly with internationally recognized sustainability models, such as Cradle to Cradle, BREEAM and LEED, and can therefore be easily included in sustainability reports and certifications.”

Nice references

The Arturo ReleaseFloor has been extensively tested. Both in the green factory in Haaksbergen and in various projects. As an example, Schuurmans and Borggreve mention the new Paris Proof office for Hilti Nederland in Berkel en Rodenrijs, where 1,600 m2 of Arturo ReleaseFloor has been applied. But also in the private sector, several smaller offices and a public space in the tourism sector. Meanwhile, the floor is available to everyone.