Fast-Curing Line Marking for a High-Traffic Automated Warehouse

The Challenge: Creating Durable, High-Visibility Line Marking for a Busy Warehouse

Established in 2000, Ocado has grown into the world’s largest dedicated online grocery retailer, now serving over 580,000 active customers. Its fourth Customer Fulfilment Centre in Erith, south-east London, is a flagship automated warehouse spanning 563,000 square feet and supporting up to 200,000 orders per week.

The facility operates across multiple zones—including ambient, chilled and frozen areas—handling both Ocado’s and Morrisons’ full grocery ranges. With large volumes of employees and pedestrians moving continuously throughout the site, safety and operational efficiency were critical considerations.

Clear, durable line marking was essential to provide visual segregation for pedestrians, define traffic routes and maximise storage and workflow efficiency. However, the environment presented a significant challenge. The line marking needed to withstand constant, aggressive warehouse vehicle traffic while maintaining long-term visibility and colour clarity across a high-demand, fast-moving operation.

The Solution: Fast-Curing Polyaspartic Line Marking for Industrial Environments

After assessing the operational demands of the site, experts at Sherwin-Williams Protective & Marine Coatings specified Elladur SF as a high-performance solution for industrial line marking.

Elladur utilises advanced polyaspartic chemistry to create a tough, UV-stable coating capable of curing in just a few hours—even at low temperatures. This fast-curing capability minimised disruption to warehouse operations, allowing areas to be returned to service quickly without extended downtime.

The system delivers excellent durability under aggressive industrial traffic conditions, ensuring that line markings remain intact and clearly defined over time. Its UV stability is particularly beneficial for maintaining bright colours such as yellows and reds, which are critical for safety but can fade with traditional line marking materials.

In addition to performance benefits, Elladur offers extremely low VOC content and very low odour during application, making it suitable for use across all areas of the facility, including enclosed and temperature-controlled zones. Its hygienic properties further support the operational requirements of a modern automated warehouse.

Chris Hopkirk, Sales Director at ASG, commented:
“Sherwin-Williams came up with the perfect product in Elladur SF for us, bearing in mind the highly challenging environment with so many people moving about.”

The Results: High-Visibility, Long-Lasting Line Marking That Enhances Warehouse Safety and Efficiency

The installation of Elladur SF provided Ocado’s Erith fulfilment centre with a durable, high-performance line marking system designed to meet the demands of one of the world’s busiest automated warehouses.

The fast-curing polyaspartic coating enabled rapid application with minimal disruption to ongoing operations, while its robust formulation ensures long-term resistance to heavy vehicle traffic and daily wear.

Clear, vibrant line markings now provide reliable visual guidance for both pedestrians and operators, improving safety, organisation and workflow efficiency across the entire facility. The UV-stable finish maintains its brightness over time, reducing the need for frequent maintenance or reapplication.

The result is a resilient, low-maintenance solution that supports safe movement, efficient operations and long-term performance in a high-traffic industrial environment.