More Hygienic Than Tiles — A Seamless Swimming Pool Coating Alternative
For swimming pool operators, hygiene is one of the highest priorities — not only due to legal obligations, but also for user experience and reputation. Tiles may appear clean, but the grout lines between them are microscopically porous, offering an ideal breeding ground for biofilm, limescale deposits, and stubborn discolouration.
A sealed coating such as ACRATON® Dolphin resolves this at the source. No grout lines, no pores, just one continuous, chemically resistant surface that can be cleaned in a fraction of the time.

Why Grout Lines Are the Hygienic Weak Point
Cement-bound grout lines have a water absorption rate of 4–8% and a surface roughness that is microbiologically significant. Bacteria, fungi, and algae find anchor points there, and conventional chemical disinfection often fails to penetrate deeply enough to completely eliminate biofilm. The result is dark-coloured grout lines that reappear despite careful cleaning.
How ACRATON® Dolphin Solves This
The 2-component epoxy coating has a water absorption rate of practically 0% and a smooth, sealed film. Biofilm gains no anchor points, limescale deposits detach during regular cleaning, and the coating's chlorine resistance permits the use of more aggressive disinfectants without damage.
For inspections by public health or food and commodity authorities, a coated surface is demonstrably easier to validate than a tiled pool.
Impact on Cleaning Routines
Operators consistently report a 40–60% reduction in cleaning time after an ACRATON® renovation. No more grout lines to scrub, no limescale brushing on tile edges, no localised discolouration to address. This directly translates to lower labour costs and better staff allocation.
Which Standards Are Met?
ACRATON® Dolphin meets European requirements for coatings in recreational swimming facilities. The coating contains no migrating components under normal operating conditions, has been tested for chloride resistance, and boasts a demonstrably long history in public pools since 1969. PoolFIX provides the relevant datasheets and MSDS documents for each project.
Calculate volume for your pool
Litres, pails and price estimate in seconds — pallet discount included.
Prices exclude VAT and shipping. Based on €40/L and the theoretical coverage from the datasheet (2.7 m²/L at 300 µm DFT).
Frequently asked questions
Is a smooth coating actually more hygienic than roughly textured tiles?
What about anti-slip zones?
Which cleaning agents are compatible?
How often should chlorine peak dosing be applied?
Risk of discolouration due to chlorine?
Public health inspection-friendly?
Slight deviations between sample and final result may occur. No rights can be derived from this overview.
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Ready for a renovation that lasts decades?
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