Dycem is the premier provider of reusable, washable, and sustainable floor-level contamination control solutions. Their commercial flooring is a semi-permanent solution that effectively removes dirt and particles from shoes and wheels, decontaminating at the ground level before entry into a designated clean area.
It all began in 1966 in Bristol, UK, when a unique formulation was discovered that could create surface stability. Then, in the early 1970s, an employee from IBM took a section of their non-slip reel into his workplace and discovered that walking on the reel removed any contaminants from the sole of his footwear and transferred them onto the reel. Thus, Dycem contamination control flooring was born.
Interview with Sarah Finnerty, US Marketing Manager at Dycem.
Easy Engineering: What are the main areas of activity of the company?
Sarah Finnerty: At Dycem, we offer a comprehensive solution to help numerous industries maintain control over contamination at floor level, including aerospace, automotive, data centers, pharmaceutical, cannabis, laboratories, manufacturing, and cleanrooms.
80% of contamination enters the critical area at or near floor level, and if left unchecked, can be ground down to a size small enough to become airborne, posing a risk to products, profits, and personnel.
E.E: What’s the news about new products?
S.F: Dycem is a custom-made enterprise specializing in contamination control mats and flooring, providing tailored site surveys and installations to meet the exact needs and specifications of our customers. Our CleanZone flooring is scientifically tested and proven to prevent up to 99.9% of shoe and wheel-borne particulate, and up to 75% of airborne contamination from entering critical environments. Available in an array of colors and customizable sizes, CleanZone flooring is antimicrobial, washable, and suitable for both pedestrian and wheeled traffic, with several edging options to fit the specific needs of any facility. Dycem is the perfect solution for any industry, including cleanrooms, hospitals, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
E.E: What are the ranges of products?
S.F: We offer a comprehensive range of contamination control solutions to meet the unique needs of any industry. Our products are designed to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are maintained.
Dycem CleanZone Flooring is suitable for pedestrian flows and light wheeled traffic up to 70kg/cm2, while DycemWorkZone Flooring is designed for heavier wheeled traffic, including large carts, pallet trucks, and forklifts up to 90kg/cm2.
Our CleanZone Floating Floors are antimicrobial mats that are easily moveable and do not require professional installation.
Access Tiles are 60cm x 60cm and come in two options: inlaid or retrofit. These are mainly used in Data Centers to segment the flooring.
Push Pads are designed to prevent microbial growth by up to 99.9% with Biomaster, and are ideal for use on push doors and hand entry/exit from critical areas.
Finally, Bench Mats are used on working surfaces to avoid equipment slipping and to trap contamination.
Our contamination control solutions provide a comprehensive solution to ensure the highest standards of cleanliness are maintained in any environment.
E.E: At what stage is the market where you are currently active?
S.F: Because of Dycem’s proven performance in a wide variety of industries, we are active in several markets at all stages. The semiconductor industry was the first to realize Dycem’s potential. The semiconductor market is decades old and Dycem has been active within it since the 1970’s. The cannabis industry has taken notice of Dycem’s superior efficacy and sustainability and we understand that this is a relatively new market.
Most successful products have imitators and/or competitors. Dycem is a proprietary and unique product and has yet to be successfully duplicated. More often than not, we find that we are not “competing” with peel-off disposable mats, but rather it is a case of “This is how we’ve always done it” or “I didn’t know there was an alternative”. No facility would willingly and knowingly choose a less-effective and more wasteful product like peel-off mats.
E.E: What can you tell us about market trends?
S.F: We have observed a growing awareness in the markets in which we operate, due to the proliferation of sustainability initiatives and the disruption of uncontrollable factors. As a supplier of customized, order-to-order products, we are confident that there will always be a place for us in the markets, and we are pleased to see an increase in sustainability initiatives. With the rising inflation rates in the US, we are also witnessing a shift towards decreased pocket spending and a greater emphasis on long-term options.
E.E: What are the most innovative products marketed?
S.F: Our surface is precision-engineered to be exceptionally smooth, creating a natural tack and a high degree of short-range electromagnetic forces that attract, collect, and retain up to 99% of particulates ranging from 0.2 to 100 microns. To ensure maximum contamination control, all Dycem products are equipped with Biomaster Antimicrobial Technology, which uses silver ions to inhibit the growth of organisms on contact, including E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and many more.
Our advanced, patented process produces a unique polymeric surface that is soft and supple. This allows the Dycem to make complete contact with any shoe or wheel that touches it and ensures no particulate is transferred back onto feet or wheels, achieving maximum effectiveness in controlling contamination. Our product comes in a variety of colors, providing a more aesthetically pleasing option, as well as a more effective one.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
S.F: Unlike many other companies, Covid had little negative effect on Dycem, as there was a widespread shift in mindset towards contamination and microbial control. Dycem’s Biomaster technology has enabled us to come out of 2022 strong and maintain a streak of success that we anticipate will continue well through 2025, given current market trends.