New to rubber mulch? Then start here……
Rubber mulch offers a continuous, seamless rubber surface which is hard wearing and can be laid over almost any type of existing ground without the need for foundations, and coupled with the natural-looking aesthetics and colour options it is uniquely positioned to work all year round in a huge variety of applications.
The process starts with recycling solid rubber that otherwise would go to landfill; then has a coloured coating applied. On site, the rubber shred is mixed with a polyurethane binder and the mixture is then simply spread out with a trowel.
As this bonded shred system is self-supporting it requires no digging of foundations and the lack of large or heavy equipment makes it cost effective for even small or difficult access areas. Moreover, it will easily work directly onto almost any existing ground conditions including grass or soil, old tiles or wet pour, crushed aggregate or concrete; it will follow the naturally sloping contours of the ground and / or absorb undulations and can even be spread directly over tree roots and around plants.
However, there are so many variables in source material, manufacturing, colouring and installing techniques that the performance and safety will vary greatly, so you may use our web site to take you through some of the basics, but you will notice we do not have online ordering as we strongly recommend that you use our unrivalled expertise in the subject and call us to discuss your project so we can properly advise you.
Which quality do you need for your project?
Specification chooser
It is well known that the Ecobond material is a significantly higher technical specification than anything else in the industry, so the product selection will probably be based on if you need such a high specification? or would the budget range be acceptable?
For formal installations that need the additional testing and guarantees to withstand high use without adding patches of other types of surfaces or base layers, or when chemical safety is important with crawling children or water courses then Ecobond is the only option in the industry that is likely to be acceptable. However if you simply need an informal ground covering then cheaper processing methods may allow you to use our ‘Just Mulch’ or other budget brands.
The table below outlines the differences and should enable you to decide what is important for your decision.
Gummibond™:
This is what we call the surface when it is installed by us and is offered with a meaningful 5-year use warranty in our name. We are the only provider that does this.
Ecobond™ Mulch & Ecobond™ binder:
This is the brand name for the rubber & binder when we supply materials for others to install. Safe for areas such as regulated playgrounds and others needing certainty on coverage rates, fall height protection, toxicity, flammability, tested durability, and the longest possible colour retention – the Ecobond materials system is the professional’s choice.
Just Mulch® & Just Binder™:
This is our budget range designed to compete with unit price where safety, durability and technical performance may be less important. Then, like other suppliers, we can utilise some cheaper production methods, but also like the competitors, we do not install this material or offer the range of testing or give the same warranty that our Ecobond grade has.
In the following charts, you may want to ask, ‘why does it matter?’ or ‘what are the consequences?’ so we invite you to call us for further clarity on any subject as we have far too much information to detail here.
| Material detail – The Principles | Industry Standard | Just Mulch | Ecobond | Gummibond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Is there a controlled classification of rubber input material? |
✗ No May use uncontrolled waste sources? |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes This is why we know how it will perform in use – varied input material can give varied end results |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Does it only use 100% solid rubber from fork truck tyres? (Not from pneumatic road tyres) |
✗ No There can be many problems using car tyres for this use |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes This is why we know how it will perform in use – varied input material can give varied end results |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is the material 100% metal free? |
✗ No Often quoted as “Up to 99%” |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes 100% zero metal |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is the material fibre free? |
✗ No Often quoted as “Up to 99%” |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes 100% zero fibre |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is it 100% rubber shred only? (With no chippings or granulate added?) |
✗ No Adding them is cheaper in production but is a variable that affects the colouring process and severely weakens the bond when installed |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes Only shred with no chipping or granulate added |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Does it use a specifically designed binder? |
✗ No Different binders will give different results – so cannot be warrantied |
✗ No We have a recommended binder that we know works well but it cannot come with the same warranty as the Ecobond brand |
✓ Yes Our binder is specifically developed so we can have confidence in the long-term use of the finished surface |
✓ Yes Our binder is specifically developed so we can have confidence in the long-term use of the finished surface – that’s why our 5-year warranty is unique in the industry |
| The Company | Industry Standard | Just Mulch | Ecobond | Gummibond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The suppliers’ green credentials |
✗ No Unknown or uncontrolled |
✗ No |
✓ Yes A major differential if you work with us. We are proud to publish ours – view and download from the website. |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is the system European REACH compliant (Not from pneumatic road tyres) |
✗ No Or unknown or uncontrolled |
✗ No |
✓ Yes In addition, our system is also in compliance with the European Green Deal requirements |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| If there is a warranty, does it cover the intended use |
✗ No Or only a short-term guarantee against a faulty product – but no one else gives a warranty on its use in all conditions |
✗ No The installer may offer something? |
✓ Yes The installer can offer a 5 year warranty – not just for the materials, but for 5 years use with no exclusions for high demand areas such as under swings |
✓ Yes We have a meaningful 5 year warranty on our own installs for all uses |
| Material detail – Processing | Industry Standard | Just Mulch | Ecobond | Gummibond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the seller have control of the input material and control of the shredding process? (Or is it an uncontrolled variable?) |
✗ No Sellers and installers do not control the production |
✓ Yes We control the production |
✓ Yes We control the production |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is it processed to a controlled shred size, shape and cut? (or are there too many variables to be confident it will work every time?) |
✗ No |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes Our processing and then filtering ensures we install consistent material which we know will work every time |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is there accurate control of the coating process? |
✗ No Often pigment and rubber rotated in a large tumbler |
✗ No But we consider we have an accurate tumbler system |
✓ Yes Our unique system of electric injection of pigment into small, temperature-controlled batches ensures consistency |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| How thorough is the coating & colouring process? |
✗ No Variable, basic covering – It is cheaper in production to reduce the coating process, but it leads to problems during use |
✓ Yes Full coating |
✓ Yes Up to 5 times more coating |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Material detail – Testing | Industry Standard | Just Mulch | Ecobond | Gummibond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Has the system been impact tested to BS1177? (can be referred to as a CFH or critical fall height) |
? |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is it the rubber mulch system that is tested or does it need base layers or the introduction of other surfacing types? |
✗ No Base layers give rise to other problems |
✗ No |
✓ Yes We test just the rubber mulch system without base layers |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Has the system been Toxicology tested – oral (toy safe) to EN 71-3? |
✗ No Many others will need to state that theirs is unsuitable for crawling children |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Has the system been tested for skin contact (carcinogenic) Toxicology – PAH – XP 33-012? |
✗ No Cannot be done as it is only relevant if you have control of the material used |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Has the system been tested for flammability – EN7188? |
✗ No Fibre or variable types of rubber will give different results |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Has the system been tested for slip resistance – EN7188? |
✗ No |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Has the system been tested for resistance to abrasive wear – EN7188? |
✗ No |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Has the system been tested for resistance to indentation – EN7188? |
✗ No |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Material detail – Finished surface | Industry Standard | Just Mulch | Ecobond | Gummibond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Does the finished surface match with the original marketing? |
? Variations in shred size, and the uncontrolled adding of angular granulate pieces will result in colour variations and different looks |
✗ No May have colour variations? |
✓ Yes Unlike anyone else |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is the surface approved for use under swings, roundabouts, and other high traffic areas? |
✗ No Most others will suggest that you cannot do this and will exclude it from fair use |
✗ No |
✓ Yes Unlike anyone else |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is the surface safe for use with young crawling children? |
✗ No Most others will state that it is not |
✗ No |
✓ Yes See our test data sheet |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Is the surface highly resistant to vandalism? |
✗ No Will depend on the variabilities with the granulate and binder used |
✗ No |
✓ Yes Our shred size and dedicated binder make it the most robust on the market |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Batch to batch consistency? |
✗ No Can give different looks and performance each time |
✓ Yes |
✓ Yes Only possible with our controls |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Colour stability suitable for laying large areas in single colour? |
✗ No Colours will vary for each batch |
✗ No |
✓ Yes Only possible with our controls |
✓ Yes We only install Ecobond materials |
| Material detail | Industry Standard | Just Mulch | Ecobond | Gummibond |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Will the manufacturer of the mulch support you in the event of a problem with or after install? |
? Other Rubber mulch suppliers do not have the experience of using it with a binder system |
✗ No |
✓ Yes With full knowledge and experience |
✓ Yes Warrantied performance – We only install Ecobond materials |
| Will the manufacturer of the binder support you in the event of a problem with or after install? |
✗ No Other binder suppliers do not have the experience of using it with a rubber mulch system |
✗ No |
✓ Yes With full knowledge and experience |
✓ Yes Warrantied performance – We only install Ecobond materials |
| Will the installer accept responsibility for the rubber mulch and binder they use? |
✗ Unknown Many installers will spot buy materials on a job by job basis, so results will vary |
✗ Unknown |
✓ Yes Full material support, but no responsibility for the install |
✓ Yes Warrantied performance – We only install Ecobond materials |
To view a PDF of this information please click here.
Colour options
Black
Red
Brown
Green
Black
Khaki
Green
Blue
Brown
Coffee
Please note that you can only purchase bags containing a single colour mulch. Where we show a 2 colour blend, these are simply examples of what can be achieved by blending 2 individual colour bags during the mixing process on site. This option to have 2 colour mixes is included at no extra charge when ordering the Gummibond™ system.
Polyurethane binders:
A vitally important part of any system and there are a wide range binder formulations to suit various applications, so not all will be suitable for the type of rubber shred found in our systems, and we know from testing we have done that the amount of binder you will need to apply may vary greatly; so unit price is not a good guide to its value.
All the binders we sell are 100% solvent-free and have no specialist storage instructions or transportation restrictions.
All the binders we sell require no additional treatment or additives on-site; the catalyst for the required chemical reaction is simply air moisture.
Just Binder™: A really good quality binder that is proven to work with rubber mulches in a standard reaction time and a consistent ratio of use. We can supply Just Binder™ on its own without the need to buy Just Mulch® rubber at the same time.
Ecobond™ binder: Has been specifically formulated to work with our grade of Ecobond™ rubber mulch, our exclusive coating system, and our installation techniques, and therefore we can be sure of optimum strength to secure each shred without ‘glassing through’ like standard binders do. The 25 kilo plastic kegs are better able to maintain ambient temperature, whilst its quicker curing time could lead to reduced overnight security costs, more working hours in the day, less need to anticipate temperature variations and weather conditions and should reduce the risk of atmospheric contamination. We have an optional reformulation should it be necessary to install in severe heat with reduced humidity. Note we will only sell Ecobond™ binder as a system when purchased alongside our Ecobond™ mulch.
