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SECTOR FOCUS STONE & CERAMIC FLOORING

‘Built on tradition, focused on the future’

From terracotta treatments in the ‘80s to today’s eco-friendly ECOPROTEC range,
LTP has built a reputation, says Mark Atkins, ECOPROTEC director

Tell me a little about the history of your Who, outside your company, do you polyfluoroalkyl substances. Our Porcelain
company. most admire in the industry? Paving Enhancer was our first PFAS-free
LTP’s ECOPROTEC brand has been That’s tricky because I’ve worked in it for product, introduced last year, and our aim
established within the contract sector since such a long time. Many of our customers is to convert all formulations to PFAS-free
its launch in 2015. Manufactured by LTP, have become great friends and, if I single before the end of the year.
ECOPROTEC cleaners and sealers benefit someone out, it might cause offence!
from the most advanced research in eco- How robust is your supply chain in the
friendly, water-based technology. They Can you give an outline of your most face of global issues such as war?
can be used for both internal and external popular product ranges and explain a bit Our supply chain is very robust. All of our
projects and following success of the about them? products are manufactured in the UK and
brand in the contract market, we further Since its launch back in 2016, ECOPROTEC very few of our ingredients are sourced
developed the range to include products Intensive Cleaner has established itself as from overseas. We’re proud to be a British
for use in external landscape applications. a firm favourite. It still features the original
formulation. It removes oil, grease, dirt, manufacturer.
When and why did you join the company? detritus and tannins, so it’s ideal for use What flooring trends are you seeing at
I originally joined Wellington Tile in 1989, on external paving. ECOPROTEC Porcelain the moment, and how do these influence
which was started by Anthony Robb in Pre Grout Protection is also very popular your product development?
1981. At the time, we imported terracotta with contractors fixing porcelain paving; it Porcelain paving is continuing to grow
from around the world. Basically, I’d provides a really effective barrier against in popularity and, with it, associated
finished my education, my family moved grout and jointing compound, so residues cleaning and aftercare issues. A lot of our
from Berkshire to Somerset and I was a are much easier to remove, especially growth and product development has
young man that needed a job; I’ve been from textured tiles. It also improves and been focused in this area in recent years.
here ever since which is testament to increases the working time of grouts and Indoors, we’re also seeing a lot of interest
the team and the product. Anthony compounds, as well as offering protection. in terracotta, including the renovation
recognised the need for an ageing liquid ECOPROTEC Porcelain Paving Enhancer of older tiles for which we have an
to give terracotta an antique finish, mixed also deserves a special mention. It was established range of solutions.
up a secret brew and branded it ‘LTP’ launched last year and it’s gaining real
OLDTONE OIL because the terracotta was traction. It’s a self-shine treatment that What is your major selling point with
sold as Lionheart Terracotta. Subsequent gives tiles a ‘just washed look’ with lots of contractors? What do your products
treatments became known as Lionheart practical benefits in terms of resistance offer them that others don’t?
Terracotta Products, or LTP for short, and to stains, UV and easy maintenance – and Our technical support and back up is key.
the ECOPROTEC brand followed. it’s PFAS-free. Contractors really like the fact that our
team is based locally and that we have
Why are your company’s products How important do you feel offering a such a vast resource, complemented by
different than your competitors’ bespoke and unique flooring solution is expertise gained from our tiling business.
products and what’s the secret to to a business?
creating a successful flooring product? Offering a white labelling service is
I think service has a lot to do with it. definitely one of our strengths and it Where do you see the company in five
years?
Cleaning and sealing products, on the helps other companies develop their own We’ve enjoyed steady growth of around
whole, are pretty similar. I think what brands. Like all of our products, they’re 3-4% each year since the business was
sets us apart is that we also have a tile manufactured in the UK and we’re able to started and we’re confident that we’ll
business, so we’re in a better position to offer minimum order quantities, so we can
understand the problems that crop up cater to niche markets. see that continue, along with our reach.
We export products to Bulgaria, China,
within the industry. We’re faced with the
same issues as all of the other tile and Is sustainability and ethical Czech Republic, Ireland, Romania, Spain
stone suppliers and we’re able to respond manufacturing a key commitment to and the UAE and, over the next five years,
and react very quickly. I’d also say we’re your business, and if so, why? I’m confident we’ll continue to open up
in the vanguard of product development. Absolutely, as 100% of ECOPROTEC’s markets in further countries around the
Being in our position, our products simply production is water-based. Two of our world – and I’d like to think that someday
have to work. We don’t develop a chemical treatments – ECOPROTEC Porcelain soon you’ll be able to buy ECOPROTEC
solution and then try and find a market Paving Enhancer and, also, Black Stone products in every continent. In terms of
for it. We develop a chemical solution in Colour Restorer are already PFAS-free, the industry as a whole, there’s a race on
response to a need or demand for it. with more to follow. to find alternative sustainable solutions
and we’re proud to be at the forefront of
What’s the secret to a successful What innovation can your clients expect this change. 
flooring installation? from you in the future? 01823 662722
Using skilled industry trade professionals A complete range of PFAS-free technical@ecoprotec.co.uk
that follow manufacturers’ guidelines. sealers that contain no perfluoroalkyl/ www.ecoprotec.co.uk

www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk 83
@CFJMagazine CFJ July 2026