In demanding industrial environments, deck and surface protection is often viewed as a secondary consideration. Yet for offshore platforms, naval vessels, energy infrastructure, and heavy-duty industrial facilities, the consequences of damaged surfaces can extend far beyond aesthetics. Mechanical impact, abrasion, corrosion, slipping hazards, and fire performance all influence operational safety, maintenance costs, and asset longevity.
This is precisely why we developed Vikodeck® Neo: a next-generation deck protection system engineered to provide robust mechanical protection while meeting the demanding safety and durability requirements of modern industrial operations.
The Challenge with Traditional Deck Protection
High-traffic and heavy-use areas such as laydown zones, helidecks, hangars, boat landing areas, and naval ship decks are subjected to continuous mechanical stress. Equipment is dropped, dragged, moved, and stored on surfaces that must remain safe and functional for decades.
Conventional protective coatings can become damaged, requiring frequent maintenance and repair. In corrosive marine environments, any breach in the protective system can accelerate substrate degradation and increase lifecycle costs.
Vikodeck® Neo was developed to address these challenges through a resilient rubber-based system that combines durability, ease of installation, and long-term performance.
Engineered for Real-World Mechanical Loads
A deck protection system should not only survive laboratory testing. It should withstand the realities of industrial operation.
To validate its performance, Vikodeck® Neo underwent impact and drag testing using a 930 kg steel block dropped from a height of 1.07 metres, generating an impact energy of 9.8 kJ. Following impact, the object was dragged across the surface to simulate operational wear conditions.
No damage was observed after these tests.
These results demonstrate the ability of Vikodeck® Neo to protect underlying substrates in areas exposed to heavy equipment handling and repeated mechanical abuse.
Fire Safety Without Compromise
Mechanical durability alone is not enough for critical offshore and marine applications.
Vikodeck® Neo is formulated using our proprietary fire-retardant rubber technology and is designed to offer low flammability, limited flame spread, and low smoke generation.
Testing was conducted according to IMO MSC 307 annex 1: part 2 and EN ISO 9293-1, confirming compliance with smoke and toxicity criteria for deck covering applications.
For operators, this means surface protection that contributes to safer evacuation conditions and reduced fire-related hazards should an incident occur.
Designed for Long-Term Outdoor Service
Marine and offshore environments expose materials to UV radiation, ozone, temperature fluctuations, moisture, saltwater, and continuous weathering.
Long-term ageing studies performed on Vikodeck® Neo showed strong retention of mechanical properties following exposure to elevated temperatures for periods extending to 64 weeks. The material remained flexible while maintaining its performance characteristics throughout testing.
Water immersion testing in both freshwater and seawater environments demonstrated very low levels of water absorption, further confirming the material's suitability for long-term service in challenging marine conditions.
Combined with resistance to UV exposure and outdoor ageing, these characteristics support the product's maintenance-free design philosophy and projected service life exceeding 30 years.
Improving Safety Underfoot
Slip incidents remain a common safety concern across industrial facilities and marine assets.
The coefficient of friction of Vikodeck® Neo was evaluated under both dry and wet conditions. Testing demonstrated high friction performance, helping reduce slip risks even when exposed to water and saltwater environments.
The material also exhibits conductive properties that help dissipate static electrical charges, reducing the potential for static electricity build-up in sensitive operational areas.
Installation Without Hot Work
Another advantage of the Vikodeck® Neo system is its installation flexibility.
The tiles can be bonded directly onto a wide range of substrates, including epoxy-painted surfaces, carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminium, and GRP structures. Installation requires no hot work, reducing operational disruption and simplifying deployment both in new-build and retrofit projects.
Because the tiles can be cut and adapted on site, the system accommodates complex geometries and challenging deck layouts without compromising protection coverage.
Beyond Offshore
While Vikodeck® Neo was originally developed with offshore topside environments in mind, its performance characteristics make it relevant across a much broader range of applications.
Potential deployment areas include:
Wherever impact resistance, durability, slip protection, and fire performance are required, Vikodeck® Neo provides a comprehensive engineered solution.
Built on 130 Years of Polymer Expertise
Vikodeck® Neo is the result of our long experience in developing specialised polymer-based solutions for demanding industries. By combining advanced material technology with extensive testing and validation, the system delivers more than simple deck protection. It provides a durable safety layer designed to protect people, equipment, and critical assets for decades.