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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Vita Living Apartments, Manchester

at the end of their life cycle. customers is the fact it can be recycled – Additionally, in the UK, the commercial
Historically, recycling vinyl flooring has we’re seeing quite a lot of growth in that.’ market is currently facing a significant
been complicated by contamination from Blurring the boundaries uptick in construction regulation.
adhesives and other installation materials. Thanks to Unilin’s continued efforts to While this is absolutely taking place for
‘But with some of our products, like the improve its offering in terms of both the right reasons, Paul and Laura concede,
Layred range for example, it’s a rigid click sustainability and functionality, it is the legislation is leading to a much longer
floor,’ Paul explains. ‘It doesn’t need any managing to hit targets in an overall gestation period between the design
adhesive. That means you can attach an LVT market that remains challenging. process and floors actually getting laid.
acoustic underlay to it as well, so it has a Economic conditions and increased In a traditionally fast-moving sector like
whole load of advantages in terms of ease competition have created a more price- construction, this lag has serious knock-
of maintenance, acoustics, wear layer and sensitive environment than in previous on effects on the sales and ultimately the
slip resistance, but the big thing with our years, but with Unilin’s differentiators, it revenue of suppliers. ‘It’s not unique to us
is able to offer added value though,’ Laura says. ‘It’s affecting anyone
where its competitors fall that operates within the contract market.’
short. Future-proof
‘It’s difficult market at One way Unilin tries to keep ahead of
the moment,’ says Paul. its competitors is through a keen focus
‘In the past, people would on technical innovations. Indeed, the
Elegant Oak Natural, Bloom Collection
be happy to pay a bit more company has a dedicated technologies
for a premium product. division focused entirely on research,
Now there is a bit more of patent development and licensing.
a commodity philosophy ‘Innovation is part of the DNA of the
around flooring so more company,’ Paul says.
established, higher end Among the best-known examples is
manufacturers now the Uniclic locking system, a mechanical
have to look beyond just click installation technology originally
good looks and lasting developed for laminate flooring and later
performance to fight off widely licensed across the industry, as
the threat of very cost- well as across different product types
effective alternatives. including LVT.
The lines are getting In LVT specifically, developments often
blurred between different take the form of technical refinements:
segments of the market dimensional stability improvements,
and only the forward- realistic surface textures, 100%
thinking companies waterproof construction and advanced
like Unilin, that offer wear layers. Recent Moduleo ranges, for
something unique, are able instance, include multiple layers designed
to command attention they to enhance durability and realism. These
Vita Living Apartments, Manchester
deserve.’ can include embossed-in-register 

www.contractflooringjournal.co.uk 7
@CFJMagazine LVT April 2026