For supermarket shelving, which is better, TPE casters or rubber casters?

TPE casters are more suitable for supermarket shelving: Comprehensive advantages that meet application requirements
The core requirements for casters in supermarket shelving lie in four key areas: floor protection, quiet operation, hygienic cleaning, and lightweight load-bearing capacity. Comparing the characteristics of TPE and rubber casters, TPE casters are more suitable for supermarket applications. The detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Core Compatibility: TPE casters are a perfect match for supermarket shelving applications.
Floor Protection: Avoiding Scratches on Smooth Supermarket Floors
Supermarket floors are often made of ceramic tile, epoxy flooring, or polished concrete. While smooth, they are prone to scratches. TPE is a soft material free of carbon black, sulfur, and other precipitates. Unlike rubber casters (especially industrial rubber casters containing carbon black), TPE won't scratch or leave black marks when rolling, preserving the floor's aesthetic appearance over time. This is crucial for supermarkets that prioritize a clean shopping environment and can reduce floor repair costs.

Quietness Requirements: Adapting to the low-noise environment of supermarkets
As public shopping spaces, supermarkets need to avoid disturbing customers with noise from moving equipment. The elastic surface of TPE casters cushions rolling shock, and operating noise is typically 10-15 decibels quieter than rubber casters (which, due to their higher rigidity, tend to make a "clacking" sound when rolling). This allows employees to adjust shelf positions (such as moving lightweight shelves for restocking) without disrupting the supermarket's quiet atmosphere.

Easy to Clean: Suitable for frequent cleaning in supermarkets
Supermarkets require regular cleaning of floors and shelves with water and a neutral detergent. TPE is resistant to conventional detergents and has a smooth, non-porous surface, making it less susceptible to dust and food debris (such as snack residue and beverage stains). Cleaning requires only a simple wipe. Rubber casters, especially those with textured surfaces, easily harbor dirt and grime, making it difficult to clean. Long-term use can lead to bacterial growth, which does not meet supermarket hygiene requirements.

Lightweight Load-Bearing Capacity: Meets the Load Requirements of Supermarket Shelves
Supermarket shelves are mostly light/medium-duty (a single shelf typically supports 100-200kg, while a single caster wheel can handle 50-100kg). TPE casters offer a standard load-bearing capacity that fully meets this requirement and are less susceptible to permanent deformation under prolonged pressure. While rubber casters (especially industrial-grade hard rubber casters) offer greater load-bearing capacity, they appear overkill for the lightweight requirements of supermarket shelves, resulting in increased weight and limited mobility.

2. Disadvantages of Rubber Casters: Difficulty Adapting to Supermarket Use

High Risk of Floor Damage: Ordinary rubber wheels contain ingredients such as carbon black, which can easily leave scratches or black marks on ceramic tiles and epoxy floors, increasing supermarket floor maintenance costs.

Significant Noise Disruption: Rubber is a rigid material, resulting in a high level of friction with the floor during movement, which does not meet the quiet requirements of supermarkets.

Difficult to Clean: Dirt easily accumulates on the rubber wheel surface, and some rubbers are not resistant to strong cleaning agents. Long-term cleaning can cause the material to age and crack.

3. Conclusion: TPE casters are the preferred choice for supermarket shelving.
Taking into account the four core requirements of "ground protection, quiet operation, cleanliness, and lightweight load-bearing capacity," TPE casters are perfectly suited to supermarket shelving applications and can avoid the drawbacks of rubber casters. Specialized modified rubber wheels are only necessary for supermarkets with "special heavy-duty shelves (single-wheel loads exceeding 300kg)" or those exposed to oil and dirt for extended periods (such as heavy oil drum shelves in fresh produce areas). In most other scenarios, TPE casters are the preferred choice.