Page 109 - History-of-flooringLR

In the following years, more innovations followed, including the When you consider that the Woodura® surface technology
world’s first glue-free wood veneer floor with a mechanical maximises the amount of product that can be manufactured
locking system formed in an HDF core, developed in partnership from every log, it is possible to see that Välinge’s capacity in the
with the Kährs Group and the first parquet floor with a future is going to be truly impressive. Ten times more flooring
mechanical locking system, also developed with the Kährs Group. can be produced from the same amount of timber, compared to
traditional engineered wood flooring and 30 times more
Välinge’s innovations constantly changed the way people install flooring compared to solid wood flooring.
and use floorings. The company has more than 3,500 granted
patents and more than 250 licensees globally. The company’s The patented Woodura® technology involves the fusing of a thin
R&D work takes place at its facility in Viken, which is sheet of real wood with a wood fibre core through a powder mix
considered to be the world’s most advanced R&D centre related layer. Compared to traditional wood flooring, the durability of
to laminate, resilient flooring, wood and wood-powder based the wood wear layer is massively increased. The new hardened
flooring technology. wood floors are made with oak, ash and walnut from sustainable
timber sources of timber with FSC certification. The unique
As the company continues to innovate, with the patented Woodura® technology makes the manufacturing process much
technologies of Woodura® and 5G® Dry being among the latest more efficient and environmentally friendly in terms of timber
innovations, it is rolling out the Välinge Flooring brand across the usage than traditional processes.
US, EU and Asian markets. It has now embarked on an exciting
new journey to become the world’s largest, most innovative, and As the attentions of flooring manufacturers are turning to
sustainable flooring manufacturer. increased sustainability and working towards the globally-
agreed target of net zero carbon by 2050, Välinge is once again
To enable it to achieve its goals, it is ramping up its manufacturing leading the way with its innovation. It is showing in the latest
capacity, both at its headquarters in Sweden and also by setting up a generation of hardened wood products how it is possible to
new mega-factory in Ogulin in Croatia. The first phase of the new manufacture more durable and more effective products, which
Croatia factory is scheduled to be operational in 2023 and it will be give greater consumer benefits, while also exceeding the
completed by 2027. It comprises a massive new complex, which sustainability criteria which today’s market demands.
includes a warehouse, press hall, process hall, powder production,
energy station and offices. The Swedish and Croatian factories +44 1948 30 22 70
together will eventually have a production capacity in excess of 20 simon.darbyshire@valinge.co.uk
million square metres annually. www.valingeflooring.com

Välinge headquarters

The History of Flooring 109