Mechanically polished concrete for industrial dry environments

In the industrial flooring sector, specifying a floor that truly delivers long-term performance means going beyond “just polished concrete”. At BECOSAN®, our mechanically polished concrete system uses high-precision diamond grinding, chemical densification and breathable sealing — not simply a surface coating. This results in a dust-free, high-durability floor engineered for dry warehouses, logistics hubs, vehicle assembly plants and similar industrial applications across the UK.

Mechanically polished UK

What Mechanically Polished actually means

Mechanical polishing is a process where the uppermost layer of a concrete slab is refined by diamond-bond tools in progressive steps: grind → hone → polish → densify → seal. The technique targets the concrete matrix itself — increasing surface hardness and gloss while maintaining breathability and structural integrity.
Unlike standard ‘grind & seal’ or mere coatings, mechanical polishing exposes aggregate, closes the surface pores, and produces a floor optimized for heavy vehicular traffic, minimal dust, and low maintenance.

Why it matters for industrial dry areas

  • Eliminates loose paste and reduces micro-dust generation.
  • Enhances abrasion resistance — suitable for fork-truck traffic, VNA operations, racking systems.
  • Breathable seal ensures moisture vapour can escape; prevents delamination common in coated systems.
  • Outstanding reflectivity can contribute to lighting-savings in large floorplates.

Mechanical vs coated floors vs traditional polished

Mechanically polished concrete differs from coated or decorative polished floors in every key aspect — from the way the surface is created to how it performs and ages.

Process

  • Mechanically Polished Concrete:
    The surface is refined through progressive diamond grinding, chemical densification and breathable sealing. The improvement occurs within the concrete itself, not as an external layer.
  • Coated / Sealed Floor:
    A resin or film is applied over the concrete to provide a temporary barrier. Over time, this coating wears off or peels due to traffic and moisture pressure.
  • Residential Polished Concrete:
    Usually designed for appearance. The surface is lightly ground or sealed but lacks the industrial-grade treatment needed for heavy loads.

Exposure

  • Mechanical: Aggregate exposure is adjustable — from smooth “cream” finishes to full aggregate reveals.
  • Coated: The paste layer remains; aggregate is not visible.
  • Residential: Limited exposure, mostly aesthetic.

Durability

  • Mechanical: Extremely high. The floor becomes part of the structure and withstands forklift traffic, impacts and abrasion.
  • Coated: Moderate. The protection depends entirely on the coating film, which degrades over time.
  • Residential: Suitable for light use only.

Maintenance

  • Mechanical: Minimal maintenance — just neutral cleaning and occasional pad polishing.
  • Coated: Requires periodic re-coating and reapplication of the seal.
  • Residential: Needs frequent cleaning and resealing to maintain appearance.

Suitability

  • Mechanical: Ideal for industrial dry zones — warehouses, production areas, logistics, assembly lines.
  • Coated: Better for decorative or commercial applications with lighter use.
  • Residential: Intended for homes or retail where performance is secondary to aesthetics.

Moisture Handling

  • Mechanical: Breathable. Allows vapour to pass through the concrete and prevents delamination or blistering.
  • Coated: Non-breathable. Moisture trapped beneath the coating often causes peeling and early failure.
  • Residential: Typically used in controlled indoor climates, so moisture issues are minimal.
Step by Step

BECOSAN® mechanical polishing system

Every BECOSAN® mechanically polished floor follows a precise, fully mechanical process designed to transform ordinary concrete into a dense, dust-free and durable industrial surface.

Unlike coatings or superficial polishing, each phase of the system acts directly on the concrete matrix, strengthening it from within and ensuring consistent long-term performance.

The process is executed by our trained UK teams using high-performance diamond equipment and verified through on-site quality control.

Survey & slab assessment

Our UK team carry out a site survey including flatness, slab strength, vapour emission, joint layout. Slabs below required hardness may require repair or topping.

Team Becosan

Surface preparation & repair

Remove contaminants, grinding where necessary, fill cracks or honeycombing, ensure floor is ready for mechanical polishing.

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Diamond grinding begins

Using metal-bond diamond tools we remove the surface paste to reveal the aggregate or prepare the finish required.

Becosan Polished Concrete Process

Chemical densification

A penetrating silicate or lithium densifier is applied to reinforce the slab from within, reducing porosity and increasing surface hardness.

Lithium densifier treatment for concrete

Progressive honing & polishing

We refine the surface with increasingly fine diamond abrasive pads, depending on the exposure level and gloss required.

Work With Becosan Treatment

Breathable sealing & finish

A breathable, industrial-grade sealer is applied, not acting as a wear layer but enhancing stain resistance while preserving the concrete integrity.

Polished Floor Concrete Sealer Application

Quality assurance & handover

  • On-site testing for gloss, skid/slip rating in dry zone, dust measurements, cleaning protocol handover.
Rugby 661 Becosan Tpi Sunrise Warehouse Refurbishment After 3

Finishes and exposure levels

Every BECOSAN® mechanically polished floor is defined by two parameters:
the level of aggregate exposure and the level of gloss.
Both are controlled by the mechanical process — no coatings, no waxes, no topical layers.

Aggregate exposure

The exposure level is determined during the early grinding stages, when the upper cement paste is removed to the desired depth.

Salt & pepper finish

Medium exposure revealing fine aggregate particles. It offers a uniform industrial look and high wear resistance, making it the most common choice for warehouses and logistics facilities.

Full aggregate ifnish

Deep grinding exposes the coarse aggregate fully. It provides the maximum mechanical strength and slip resistance required in heavy-duty industrial areas.

Gloss levels

Once the desired exposure is established, the floor is progressively refined with finer diamond abrasives.
Each additional polishing pass increases smoothness and reflectivity.

Matte Plus

Low sheen, purely functional, ideal for high-traffic production areas.

Satin finish

Balanced gloss level, combining reflectivity with traction, suited for logistics and manufacturing floors

High gloss

Mirror-like finish for automotive, retail or showroom environments.

Performance & compliance

When it comes to flooring solutions, mechanically polished concrete stands out for its unmatched benefits. Here’s why businesses across the UK trust BECOSAN® for their flooring needs:

Durability

The mechanical process increases abrasion resistance relative to untreated slab or standard coating systems.

Dust Control

Mechanically polished concrete does not generate dust because the surface paste is removed and the concrete pores are sealed. The floor remains clean and stable, preventing airborne dust typical of untreated slabs.

Slip resistance

Even at higher gloss, performance in dry-traffic conditions remains within safe thresholds; we can supply third-party slip test data.

Maintenance cost & life-cycle

Compared to coated floors needing re-application every few years, BECOSAN’s system offers lower total cost of ownership — an important metric for facility managers.

Environmental & sustainability

As a mineral-based floor, no VOC heavy coatings are required; long lifecycle and reuse potential align with modern sustainability criteria.

Portfolio

Related projects

60.000 m² - United Kingdom
SEGRO
16.000 m2 – Belgium
REBICE SL
1.800 m2 – Toledo
FAQ

Mechanically polished

Here, we provide answers to frequently asked questions about our mechanically polished concrete floor service.

Mechanical polishing involves diamond-refinement of the slab itself, densification and breathable sealing. Standard polished floors may use coatings or superficial polishing and don’t always deliver industrial-grade durability.

Yes, provided the slab meets key criteria: sufficient strength (C35 or higher typically), minimal damage, levelness and vapour emissions within allowable limits. We assess on-site to confirm viability.

Routine cleaning with neutral pH detergents, use of properly maintained pads/machines, doormats at entry points. We provide a tailored maintenance plan.

Our standard specification is for dry industrial zones. If wash-down, heavy moisture or cold-store conditions apply, a bespoke specification is needed — contact us for assessment.

Our UK survey covers scheduling. For e.g. phased works in large slabs allow continued operations in neighbouring zones, and we plan logistics with you to minimise disruption.

OUR TEAM

The experts behind every project​

Meet our team, the leading figures for our projects.

Martin Kerrigan Becosan Uk
UNITED KINGDOM
Martin Kerrigan
PROJECT DIRECTOR UK

You’ll have direct contact, and he will ensure everything runs seamlessly.

UNITED KINGDOM
Ernesto Gaitán
TEAM LEADER

He will lead, coordinate, and oversee the daily activities of the group, ensuring objectives are met.

Kenneth Olsen Becosan
UNITED KINGDOM
Kenneth Olsen
SALES DIRECTOR

He will engage directly with you, offering the best solutions and addressing key elements of the project.

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Why choose BECOSAN® for mechanically polished concrete?

Need expert advice?

Request your free diagnosis

Contact us today for a free site survey and quotation — our UK operations team will assess your slab, discuss your finish requirements and provide a tailored solution.