The General Mat Company (GMC) has released Waterhog Premier matting in Australia. It has a rubber-reinforced face design for added beauty and performance, in addition to the Waterhog range's ribbed construction that is designed to soak up dirt and water before it can spoil expensive carpets or flooring and create safety hazards.

Waterhog Premier No. 295 is designed to remain functional and attractive while removing and trapping dirt and moisture, holding up to 6.79L/m2 of water. Its rubber face design is complemented by a 36-ounce, heavy-duty, multi-denier yarn system that is 33 per cent heavier than the original Waterhog range made by the Andersen company. The dual-fibre construction combines thick fibres for scraping with thin fibres for wiping, providing better mat performance and longer life.

Like the original Waterhog, the Premier range's rubber-reinforced face prevents crushing under the highest traffic areas. It also has a water dam around the border which traps dirt and water, keeping them off carpets and floors and minimising slip hazards and floor damage around the perimeter of the mat.

Colourfast and lightfast Waterhog matting - constructed from solution-dyed polypropylene textile on a rubber backing - is intended for use in commercial and industrial buildings, including factories, hospitals, hotels, shops, offices, transport terminals and public amenities. Colours include indigo, southern pine, black smoke and grey ash.

The quick-drying polypropylene fibre will not fade or rot. Mats can easily be vacuumed or hosed off and have an average voltage of 1.6kV as measured by the AATCC and meet IBM's minimum standard for electrical resistance. This means they are safe for use in computer rooms and around electrical equipment.

Waterhog passes flammability standard DOCFFQ70 but is not recommended for use in areas exposed to grease or petroleum products.