Waregem, Belgium—For more than 20 years, Unilin Technologies’ said its key ambition has been to support the continuous growth of the flooring category by introducing innovations that matter. That is why Unilin is launching two new, PVC-free core technologies at Surfaces: XPC and P-SPC. The new cores are the next step forward in the resilient flooring revolution, the company said, bringing improved performance and increased sustainability to the table.
According to Unilin, the XPC core technology is a newly developed PVC-free material, which is completely dimensionally stable, providing an ideal alternative for the mainstream LV/SPC products. The new core material for flooring has all the advantages of standard rigid products, including a click system and being waterproof, with the additional benefit of extreme dimensional stability. Because of the dimensional stability, the core will not expand when heated nor shrink when cooled—a common problem seen in SPC flooring. XPC products are therefore suited to be installed in direct sunlight and will not suffer from “hot-spots,” the company said. This makes the products suitable for both residential and commercial applications.
The new core material is the result of an R&D collaboration between Unilin Technologies and its long-lasting licensed partner SS Floors. XPC products will be readily available to the market since SS floors is the very first licensee and manufacturer of flooring with this innovative new material.
“It was a great pleasure to cooperate with Unilin Technologies on this XPC project,” said Peter Li, general manager at SS Floors. “We are convinced of the huge potential of this ground-breaking innovation and have therefore decided to invest a substantial amount in state-of-the-art equipment to make sure that we are ready to meet the expected high customer demand. “
The P-SPC core is the environmentally friendly (PVC free) alternative to SPC. PET-SPC—or P-SPC—offers the possibility to be made from recycled materials and is by itself recyclable, offering immense opportunities for the circular challenges in our industries, the company said. With an increased focus on sustainability, environmentally friendly components and recyclability P-SPC will contribute to a more durable resilient flooring market, according to Unilin.