Viken, Sweden — The new “2G plus” is a very cost efficient one piece locking system for long edges that may reduce the material waste with more than 50%.
A new one piece angling locking system for the long edges – 2G plus – has been developed that is possible to produce with considerable lower material waste than present locking systems. Locking strength and installation properties are similar to conventional high quality 2G locking systems. The new 2G Plus on long edges combined with 5G on short edges provides a very cost efficient locking system with superior strength and easy installation.
The new 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 and energy in flooring production.
2G plus may be produced with a total material waste of about 5 – 6 mm including saw cutting and machining of the panel edges. Present locking systems generally create a waste of 12 – 15 mm. This corresponds to about 6 – 7,5% waste in 200 mm wide floor panels. The waste is considerably higher in narrow floor panels.
200 mm floor panels with the new 2G plus technology may be produced with a total waste of less than 3% . A cost saving of about 3% in a laminate floor with a production cost of 5 EUR/m2 corresponds to 0,15 EUR/m2.
Välinge anticipates that the majority of all locking systems used in wood and laminate floorings may be converted to the new cost efficient 2G plus technology since investments in tool adjustments and some additional production equipment are very limited. The flooring industry will save more than 100 MEUR annually if all present locking systems for laminate and wood floorings would be converted to the new 2G Plus.