The Association of European Producers of Laminate Flooring (EPLF), based in Bielefeld, Germany, is an organisation which represents the leading producers of laminate flooring in Europe and their suppliers.
The Association was established in 1994 in Bonn, Germany, and has its registered headquarters in Bielefeld.
The EPLF’s member companies account for approximately 55% of the global market and approximately 80% of the European market. At present a total of 20 laminate producers from 10 European countries, 30 suppliers to the laminate flooring industry, and four renowned testing institutes, are members of the EPLF.
The association is an international platform for the exchange of ideas and experience between producers of laminate flooring and their supplier industries.
The focus of the association’s work revolves around research, development, the introduction of standards, representation at international trade fairs, evaluation of statistical data and active press office and public relations work.
Consumer expectations of the homes they live in have changed a lot in recent years. With its environmental credentials and many other benefits, laminate flooring is increasingly the first choice for planners, architects and consumers alike.
Striking in its natural look, this type of flooring is also excellent value for money.
It fits seamlessly into the stylish, contemporary interiors that are becoming so popular, says the EPLF.
Sustainable living isn’t just good for the planet – it’s a style statement too. But what is it that makes laminate flooring so sustainable? Is it the production method, the materials, the packaging?
The materials used to make laminate flooring should have a minimal impact on global resources and energy consumption, for production and logistics has to be low.
The product is made exclusively from either wood sourced from sustainably managed domestic forests, or recycled material from the timber industry.
Decorative finishes are printed on certified paper with a high proportion of recycled material and natural water-based inks.
Eco-friendly resins are used as the binder. In addition to materials and manufacturing, packaging plays an important role in the sustainability of laminate flooring. Manufacturers who use recycled paper to make the boxes and recycle the packaging film can further add to the product’s eco credentials.
Product brochures printed on recycled paper also reflect in a visible way the industry’s commitment to sustainability. Healthy living is a major trend.
Laminate flooring manufactured in Europe is low-emission and far outperforms legal limits for formaldehyde and VOCs (volatile organic compounds).
With their sealed surface, regularly cleaned floors are ideal for allergy sufferers and help to create a healthier indoor climate. The recommended air humidity is 35 to 55%.
The sustainability of laminate flooring is indicated by the Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), which are referred to by planners and architects to evaluate the eco status of a building. Most laminate flooring manufactured by EPLF members comes with this declaration and responds to new consumer awareness of sustainability issues.
But above and beyond environmental concerns, sustainability also means social responsibility. This includes working with local firms, getting involved in social projects, offering adequate pay, complying with health and safety standards, avoiding illegal employment and the use of child labour, and much more besides.
"More and more consumers are concerned about these issues," says the EPLF. "An irreversible change has taken place on the market. The European laminate flooring industry has responded in many ways and will do everything in its power to further promote sustainability.
"After all, in this day and age there’s more to innovation than design and technology," adds the association.
And what will be the trends for 2013? Experimental timber looks with blue or green coloured cracks and branches will lead the way and coniferous woods like larch and pine will be used extensively, but deciduous woods like ash and elm will also be popular.
They will come in their natural, light and partly-glazed look as well as those textures with unusual colours which are synonymous with a new experimental design.
And what about oak? Oak may not be coniferous but it is always popular with designers. No other laminate flooring decor offers as many different possibilities as this expressive domestic timber that has been a dominant mainstream player over the last few years – and will continue to be so.
Natural, light shades, very rustic textures, subtly altered vintage looks – oak offers an impressive range of possible designs. But again, bold colours will be called for.
"Not blue, not green – no. Dark, grey, almost black, oak decors are the new experimental character in this traditional decor segment of the European laminate flooring industry", enthuses the EPLF.
But does this just apply to the property business or to private homes, too? Quite apart from digitally printed surfaces, creative decors will include more modified, coloured and altered wooden surfaces than ever before. The ways in which overlays can be processed using modern print techniques and press plates are hugely diverse.
They enhance the colourings and textures of the laminate flooring decor or produce the desired contrast. In any case, the effect is always natural and authentic, suits the current interior style and meets the desires of the architect and end-user. This trend is picked up by matt floors, but also furniture.
The board formats of laminate flooring are more extreme than ever before. You could even say "It’s all about length". In fact, the long, rustic board with all-over print is the trendsetter of the moment, according to the association.
The all-over decors – especially with oak – express themselves in full and give the room a generous, spacious look. Real or ‘fake’ V-joints further reinforce this look. Playing and experimenting with formats, including width, is one of the favourite jobs of designers and developers in the laminate flooring industry. New and interesting possibilities are emerging all the time. Bold designs indeed.
