Can products made from rubber granules vary in colour within the same shade?

Colour variations can occur in products made from PU-bound rubber granules, both within a delivery, including within a product batch, and between product batches. The permitted departure from the stated shade is defined by a colour tolerance, which depends on the granule fraction and the particular colour; the fraction describes the size and distribution of the rubber granules.

Colour variations are most noticeable in coloured ELT products, where individual elements from a production run may appear lighter, darker or more intense. Black or anthracite-grey ELT products are made using recycled rubber granules and a colourless binder, so grey, white or coloured particles may be visible; this cannot be avoided with this raw material.

For speckled EPDM surfaces, granules of different base colours are used, and natural mixing variations form part of the design. Plain-colour EPDM surfaces show only minimal colour variations.

Such variations within the tolerances specified by WARCO for its floor coverings are normal and do not constitute grounds for complaints or price reductions.

For speckled EPDM surfaces, these natural mixing variations contribute to the design's appeal, much like the inherent variation in flooring assembled from pieces of natural wood.