Välinge introduces new cost saving production technology for flooring

Viken, Sweden - July 08, 2012

The new "3D forming" technology provides cost savings of 10- 20% of the costs for the HDF core material used in Laminate and WFF floors.

The costs for raw materials such as wood and melamine have increased considerably and further increases are anticipated. Laminated floors and other floor with a HDF core are quite heavy and this leads to high transport costs and complicates installation.

Välinge has developed a new technology that is based on advance forming of the core material such that the same floor thickness with the same floor area and with the same locking system may be produced with 10 - 20% lower material content and weight. A conventional pack weight of 15 kg may be reduced by 3 kg to 12 kg. All material that is saved may be used in line in the flooring production.

The new technology is based on conventional HDF material and commonly used pressing and milling operations. However some specific equipment is needed but the investment costs for such additional production equipment are small compared to the potential savings.

3D forming and light Laminate may be combined with the recently developed 2G Plus technology that allows production of advanced locking systems with considerable lower material waste than conventional locking systems.

3D forming may be used to reduce the material cost of a laminated floor with 0,20 - 0,40 EUR/m2 (0,25 - 0,50 USD/m2).

The technology may partly also be used in LVT and wood florings.

The new production and locking technology is a result of the overall cost saving project that was presented at Välinge Expo last year and that aims to reduce material cost, weight and energy in flooring production.


For further information, please contact:

Niclas Håkansson
CEO, Director R&D and Surface Technology
Mobile: +46 (0)42 238759
Mail:

Per Nygren
Executive Vice President Marketing
Mobile: +46 706 23 87 29
e-mail: