VIKEN, SWEDEN—Välinge has signed a license agreement with Chinese vinyl producer Taizhou Huali Plastic Co. to use Valinge’s 
patented mechanical locking system in a new line of luxury vinyl tile (LVT) products.
Several versions of LVT and floating floorboard with a vinyl surface layer and mechanical locking systems were shown by about 30 companies at Domotex 2011. These floorboards, developed by Välinge nine years ago, offer several advantages over traditional vinyl surfaces that generally are supplied in rolls, according to Darko Pervan, CEO. “We’ve tried to market this technology for many years without much success,” he said. “The recent trends at Domotex are encouraging.”
Per Josefsson, manager of basic locking systems, said Välinge is prepared to extend the present license contracts to surfaces other than wood and laminate and provide start-up support to its present licensees on favorable terms. “Välinge is also prepared to grant licenses to new licensees provided they are not involved in patent disputes with Välinge.”