Stewart Hyde, Executive Vice President of Sales - Europe for Dycem talks to MTI about the company's contamination control mats for cleanrooms and the technology behind them, as well as looking ahead to regulatory trends in 2025.
Q. Describe the products that Dycem offers
A. Dycem is committed to protecting cleanroom environments with safe and reliable solutions. As the original innovator of polymeric contamination control mats, we offer a durable, reusable alternative to traditional peel-off sticky mats. Our product line includes three main options: CleanZone, WorkZone, and CleanZone Floating Mats. CleanZone is tailored for pedestrian and light-wheeled traffic, while WorkZone is designed for heavy-wheeled traffic. CleanZone and WorkZone mats are fully customisable, professionally installed, and secured to the subfloor. In contrast, CleanZone Floating Mats are pre-assembled and portable, offering added flexibility.
Dycem mats are highly effective, capturing and retaining up to 99.9% of contaminants from shoes and wheels and up to 75% of airborne particles. With built-in antimicrobial protection, these mats are easy to clean and integrate into existing standard operating procedures, enhancing contamination control without adding complexity.
Q. Dycem mats for cleanrooms last 3+ years, what are the benefits of a long-term reusable product versus a disposable product?
A. Disposable products like peel-off sticky mats must be peeled frequently to maintain any kind of effectiveness, creating a huge amount of daily plastic waste. This waste is considered ‘contaminated waste’ which can be expensive to dispose of. Reusable products like Dycem mats can be washed, so there’s no ongoing creation of contaminated waste. This offers a more sustainable, environmentally responsible solution for organisations committed to reducing their plastic footprint and associated waste disposal costs.
Q. What is the cost saving when using a Dycem mat instead of a disposable one?
A. Switching to Dycem mats can lead to substantial cost savings over time. Peel-off mats typically cost between 1 and 1.50 USD per peel, and maintaining effective contamination control requires frequent peeling, which quickly adds up in cost. Additionally, facilities face ongoing expenses from disposal, reordering, and managing contaminated waste. Dycem’s reusable mats eliminate these recurring costs, as they don’t need to be replaced regularly and produce no contaminated waste.
Studies and client feedback indicate that many facilities see a cost reduction of up to 50% over three years when switching from disposable to reusable Dycem mats. To help you understand the full financial impact, our Dycem representatives can work with you to develop a customised cost analysis, including the expenses tied to peel-off mat usage, disposal, and replacement frequency.
Q. What is Biomaster and how does it work?
A. Biomaster is an antimicrobial additive that uses silver ion technology to inhibit and disrupt the growth of microbes, including MRSA, Salmonella, and Campylobacter. Biomaster is integrated into Dycem products during production and remains active throughout the product’s life, delivering continuous 24/7 antimicrobial protection. This built-in protection is especially important in cleanroom environments where contamination control is crucial, as it provides an added layer of defence against microbial growth on high-contact surfaces.
Q. What has the feedback been like from customers who have installed the products in their cleanrooms?
A. The feedback we get from our customers is overwhelmingly positive. Many clients report improved contamination control, significant cost savings, and enhanced aesthetics after installing Dycem products. For example, companies like Stryker, Getinge, Hoya, and Alcon have described Dycem as a ‘game-changer’ in contamination control, offering ‘great service’ and ‘huge cost savings’. By eliminating the need for disposable sticky mats, our customers can reduce waste, streamline operations, and focus on maintaining a cleaner, more controlled environment with less hassle.
Q. What does 2025 hold?
A. In 2025, we anticipate more stringent contamination control regulations, particularly in the U.S. and Europe. These emerging standards emphasise sustainable practices and stricter environmental regulations. Dycem is well-positioned to support organisations in meeting these new requirements with sustainable, long-term contamination control solutions that reduce plastic waste and align with cleaner production standards. As the industry continues to evolve, we look forward to introducing innovations that keep our clients ahead of regulatory trends.
Q. Is there anything else you want to add?
A: We’re passionate about supporting companies in creating safer, cleaner environments with solutions that don’t compromise sustainability. Dycem’s reusable mats not only help protect critical areas from contamination but also align with broader environmental goals, making them an ideal choice for companies seeking sustainable, high-performance contamination control. We believe that a cleaner environment begins at the floor level, and Dycem is committed to being a reliable partner in that mission.
