Client: Twycross Zoo
Location: Twycross, Leicestershire
Sector: Public Attractions
Project Size: 250m² (Resin Screed with Abaplas Recycled Plastic Filler)
Duration: 2 Days (Weekend Installation)
Completed by: Abacus Flooring Solutions Ltd
Twycross Zoo identified one of its oldest and most visited indoor buildings as in urgent need of modernisation. The traditional tile flooring was uneven and difficult for wheelchair users and families with pushchairs to navigate, posing accessibility concerns. At the same time, the Zoo wanted a solution that supported its sustainability goals and offered an engaging visitor experience.
The challenge was to deliver a flooring system that improved safety and access, introduced storytelling through design, and aligned with Twycross Zoo’s long-term environmental commitments—all without requiring disruptive structural alterations.
Abacus Flooring Solutions, renowned for their innovative and environmentally focused approach, proposed a complete surface transformation using their award-winning resin system reinforced with Abaplas—a 100% recycled plastic filler developed in-house.
The solution included:
Mechanical surface preparation to remove existing tiles and ensure strong resin adhesion.
Installation of a polyurethane screed incorporating Abaplas for durability and sustainability.
Seamless integration of ramps to eliminate steps and level the flooring.
Application of a solvent-free, slip-resistant finish across the full surface.
Use of custom colours to reflect animal habitats: desert tones for reptiles, ocean blues for aquatic species, and jungle greens for tropical environments.
All work was completed over a single weekend, with minimal disruption to public operations and a curing period designed for long-term resilience.
Abacus Flooring Solutions continues to set the standard for green innovation in the flooring industry:
Abaplas replaces traditional silica fillers with safe, recycled post-consumer plastic, reducing environmental impact and dust exposure.
All resins used were solvent-free and compliant with VOC regulations.
Waste materials were responsibly managed and removed by Abacus’ fully licensed waste carrier service.
This installation contributes to Abacus’ growing reputation, having won 21 sustainability awards in just four years.
Alongside the core flooring installation, Twycross Zoo benefitted from a number of additional value-driven measures:
Thoughtful design that enhances the visitor experience through colour and habitat-based zoning.
Accessibility-first flooring layout to support visitors with mobility challenges.
Ongoing partnership opportunities for future maintenance and site improvements.
Direct alignment with Twycross Zoo’s conservation messaging through the use of recycled materials.
“It was important for us to deliver something functional but also meaningful,” said Leigh Shotliff, Project Manager at Twycross Zoo. “The flooring is safe, sustainable and visually engaging—and it’s made a real difference to how people move through the space.”
The newly installed flooring now offers a smooth, accessible, and visually rich environment for Twycross Zoo’s visitors. What was once a dated and uneven space has become an educational feature in its own right—welcoming, durable, and environmentally responsible.
By choosing to work with Abacus Flooring Solutions and their revolutionary Abaplas filler, Twycross Zoo has demonstrated how public attractions can lead by example—blending functionality, inclusivity, and sustainability to enhance visitor experience from the ground up.
