A new range of coated ceramic tiles is helping facility managers minimise the hassle of cleaning surfaces in public areas.

Managers are always under pressure to keep their facilities clean and hygienic. However, use of aggressive cleaning agents in high concentration can be harmful to both the facility and users, while milder solutions are not as effective in cleaning the surfaces.

Though surfaces have been developed to repel dirt, they haven’t been found suitable for regular-use applications because of sensitivity to mechanical stress as well as cleaning substances, which can also reduce the surface’s properties.

Hydrotect was specifically developed by renowned manufacturer Deutsche Steinzeug (owner of the Agrob Buchtal and Jasba brands) to address the sensitivity of hydrophobic surfaces. Formulated as a new ‘intelligent’ surface coating for ceramic tiles, the Hydrotect coating is baked onto the tile’s glaze at high temperature. When titanium dioxide is baked onto the glaze of the tiles as a catalyst, triggering a reaction between light, oxygen and air humidity, the process makes Hydrotect tiles sufficiently robust for use on walls as well as floors with a unique level of resistance to abrasion and chemicals.

The photocatalytic effect of Hydrotect tiles is activated at normal indoor lighting levels and forms the basis for the almost revolutionary properties of Hydrotect. The tile surface becomes hydrophilic (water-friendly); the water is not repelled, instead spreading to form a thin film on the surface allowing dirt to be washed down and easily removed.

Hydrotect coated ceramic tiles are recommended for hotels, restaurants, food processing and medical areas, swimming pools, fitness and wellness centres, and sanitary rooms. Hydrotect tiles also reduce the consumption of cleaning agents and their resultant costs as well as impact on the environment.