Novalis is building its AVA commercial brand in the Asia Pacific market.

[Shanghai] - Long considered a cradle of innovation for floor covering, Domotex asia/Chinafloor (DACF) — held here late May — once again showed why it remains one of the premier international flooring tradeshows for the industry. Creative spins on classic patterns; enhanced realism through pressed bevels and EIR technology; and, unique designs created with digital printing were just some of the technologies in action here. What’s more, all this innovation is being bolstered by manufacturer commitments to making products that are rooted in sustainability.

Here at the show, some 1,600 brands representing 40 countries in 230,000 square meters of exhibition space displayed the latest in innovative products. What’s more, this year’s edition of Domotex asia/Chinafloor welcomed some 85,000 attendees to the show and marked the highest international participation in its history, the company reported.


Boosting Innovation & Performance

CFL touted its service, quick ship lines, new product innovations and sustainability among other key deliverables.

“We’re focusing on service and developing quick ship lines,” said marketing director Jerome Nurenberg. “Everything is around low gloss, matte finishes — we’re seeing demand going up. In Europe they’re asking for slightly more character and in the U.S. less character and matte finish looks are doing well.” He continued, “Sustainability is huge.”

The company highlighted its NatureTrend line of matte finish SPC. “You get the wood look but with better scratch resistance and wear, and the gloss consistency is very good,” Nurenberg said.

With demand for solutions for the easier installation of herringbone floors increasing, i4F highlighted its HerringB/One single-panel drop lock system here.

“The beauty of HerringB/One is you only need an A panel,” shared i4F CEO John Rietveldt, explaining, “You have similar profiles on all the panels and that makes it very easy for the manufacturer, very easy for installers and very easy for retailers to manage product integrity. It also allows for bigger potential for herringbone [patterns] which is a very poular segment.”

As well, i4F touted its Ceramic Click technology which is produced in partnership with Akgün Group. With Ceramic Click, ceramic tile is attached to an HDF core board. Tiles are joined together by superthin grouts (1mm). “This has been in development for 18 months,” said Rietveldt. “Wherever tile goes, it can go but even more so because of the combination of material and the floating format.”

Välinge highlighted 2G Pro along with its 5Gi and 5G Pro technologies. “We’re seeing more international visitors compared to last year,” said Iris Meana Prada, key account manager North and South America for Välinge. “We already have licensees producing using this technology. We saw a market concern for resilient panels unengaging and a need for panels to stay engaged so we came up with solution for thinner resilient profiles. With 2GPro resilient performance is better, there’s more strength, durability and increased vertical strength of the panels. For producers, it requires a small change in production but a big change in performance.”

Sustainability remains a core focus for CFL and its product intros. Here marketing director Jerome Nurenberg and FCW’s Mallory Cruise-McGrath stand with the FCW GreenStep award winning Tenacity line.


i4F’s John Rietveldt with the company’s new Ceramic Click

Sustainable Stories

Sustainability was at the forefront of conversations held at this year’s show and Aspecta’s Bonterra line of SRP TPU flooring has a strong sustainability and performance story to tell. “It is made from postconsumer waste — 23 PET bottles for every square meter — and can be fully recycled at the end of its useful life,” shared Mário Pinho, vice president of sales for Europe, Russia and Middle East. “We’re using the best-selling designs from our PVC collection and putting them in TPU. We’ve received good response [so far].”

Pinho continued, “A long-term goal for us is to make TPU a new flooring category. We’re putting effort into product technology.”

Unilin’s Click Control was highlighted on the show floor. “It remains super important with issues concerning SPC,” explained Lauren Delée, business development manager IP at Unilin. “We always want to help and support our licensees with quality control and production consistency.”

Unilin also showcased its Unizip technology which, noted Delée, “remains popular” as it allows for the installation of herringbone floors. And, building off the popularity of its Unigrout technology, Unilin debuted at the show its new Unigrout Slim which features a thinner grout imitation bevel and can be used in the installation of SPC click and dryback vinyl formats.

Novalis spotlighted its AVA commercial brand which the company is looking to expand and build upon in the Asia Pacific market.

“The show has been better than expected. Manufacturers are here, there are great international buyers in attendance and the atmosphere is buzzing,” said Novalis CEO John Wu. “Asia is still where innovation is happening. There are three IP companies here.” Wu also pointed to additional trends including improved aesthetics, innovations around pressed bevels and material innovation around PVC-free products.

Indeed, sustainability was top of mind for Novalis which spotlighted its Digital Passport to promote product material transparency.

Source: floorcoveringweekly.com