Välinge has invented a new technology to recycle laminate floorings.

Viken, Sweden - December 14, 2007

The new technology makes it possible to reuse 100% of an old laminate floor panel and to convert it to a board material, which could be used to make new laminate floorings.

The global market for laminate floorings is approaching 1.000 million m2.

New designs, easy installation and attractive price levels gives the consumer incentives to replace an old laminate floor with a new attractive design. Old floor panels are generally disposed by burning and this causes negative effects on the environment.

At present more than 100 million m2 of laminate flooring are disposed annually and with an average lifetime of 10-15 years considerable volume of old worn out floorboard representing a major raw material value will be available.

Välinge has therefore invented a new technology where old laminate floors are mechanically separated into small chips and fibers and thereafter bonded under pressure and heat to a new floorboard core.

The core made of recycled material has equal properties as a virgin HDF board and could be used to produce new laminate floors. The recycling could be repeated many times without any loss of material.

Välinge has presented the project to some of its partners and licensees. Commercial core material based on recycled laminate floorings will be available at the end of 2008.

Laminate floorings could capture an even larger market shares from other flooring materials now when an efficient recycling technology has been invented.

Välinge has patented the new technology. Licenses will be granted on favorable terms since the main objective is to protect the environment from pollution and to promote laminate flooring as a very environmental friendly flooring product.

The fibers from recycled laminate floor could be used to produce the new WF floor that Välinge has invented recently.

For more information please contact:

Niclas Hakansson
R&D Manager
Mobile : +46 (0)42 23 87 59
e-mail:

Ignace Gorus
Sr. Legal Counsel
Mobile : +32 476 66 99 50
e-mail :