A recap on Domotex Asia Chinafloor Expo 2023

A Recap on Domotex Asia Chinafloor Expo 2023 – Mega Trend for Resilient Vinyl Floorings

Introduction to Domotex Asia Chinafloor Expo

Last week on Friday marks the end for the 3-day exhibition for the Domotex Asia ChinaFloor Expo Trade fair. As most of the industry players should know, it is considered the biggest flooring expo that is hosted across Asia and also the 2nd largest one globally.

This year’s Domotex Trade show is the first trade show that is freely accessible to foreigners since the 2020 Pandemic, and we have observed there are significantly more foreigners and global participants coming to this event. 

As such, suppliers and manufacturers across Asia has come together to participate the event where many of the latest product innovations and designs are being displayed.

During the event, various seminars were hosted where flooring and interior design exports delivers keynote speech to discuss the recent factors that is currently affecting the architecture & interior design markets.

In this article, we cover a summary of observations regarding the topics being discussed in the seminars as well as product innovations in resilient floorings (mainly LVT and SPC categories).

Major Discussions at Domotex Asia Chinafloor Expo

During the three days event, more than 30 seminars were hosted with speakers coming from architecture firms, interior designers, major brands, manufacturers, consultants, academics and relevant industry associations.

Major topics were being carried out in topics of Cross-border communication across industry supply chain, interior design applications, material engineering, building industrialization and smart home living.

Its worth noting that during the keynote speeches, there has been constant mentioning about multi-dimensional /

multi-functional spatial design, where consumers are exploring interior designs that offers multifunctional purpose in a highly urbanized setting.

Quality living with green decorative products are also a major topic that has been brought up where the industry are initiating for low carbon emission and carbon neutrality in production of various of building materials.

Lastly, as consumers behaviors are in constant changing, there is a need for more convenient and rapid remodeling in interiors.

Trends

What Major Suppliers and Global Leading Brands are doing?

During the visit at the Domotex Asia ChinaFloor expo, we have observed that suppliers of resilient vinyl floorings falls into two direction of strategies. One is focused in the expansion of supply chain and factory sites in locations such as Vietnam and Mexico, and the other focus in development of new products in resilient floorings.

Interesting enough, the two strategies are generally not carried out simultaneously by suppliers, only the highly ranked supplier which ships over one thousand of containers monthly has expanded their factory sites internationally while engaging in new product developments. 

As such, we have observed that Chinese suppliers that  expand their production site internationally are only offering standard flooring product lines in LVT and SPC. In this exhibition, we have observed suppliers from Korea, Vietnam also only offers standard LVT and SPC.

1st tier suppliers expand with leading flooring brands to develop the next generation vinyl free resilient floorings. 2nd tier suppliers either go for global expansion or invest in innovative flooring products.
Global brands and leading suppliers are investing in research and development for Polypropylene based LVT / SPC floorings.

What is the Trend for Vinyl-Free Development?

Vinyl-Free Floorings continue to be one of the most important product development trend in the industry. Not only we see first tier suppliers rolling out their vinyl free LVT and vinyl free SPC, we also were informed exclusive sales rights were demanded from leading flooring brand. This is an indication that it is in brands’ interest to eventually phase out PVC-based floorings, and they are strategically capturing exclusive suppliers in this line.

Vinyl-Free Floorings are currently being developed in two directions, one is PET polymer based, and the other Polypropylene (PP) based. There is no certainty which one will lead as we have observed different major brands has chosen different material (as well as relevant suppliers / developers as they are closely associated).

Vinyl Free LVT/SPC will be the mega trend, according to our experts. “More than half of the flooring brands that participated the Cologne Expo in Germany has displayed non-pvc floorings instead of the normal PVC based floorings”.

VINYL FREE DEVELOPMENT CHALLANGES

Hybrid Layer Bonding Issue in PP Print Films

As there are now many suppliers working in the development for PP-based floorings, a common challenges the industry has faced is the bonding and adhesive issue between layers in PP flooring.

In conventional PVC flooring, the PVC material can be easily bonded together with oil-based ink. However, the covalent bond between PP polymer with water-based PU ink is different making the bonding ineffective during the heat curing process. In short, PP film does not bond well with PU ink in between.

PP Print Film Display at Domotex Asia Chinafloor Expo 2023

A common solution to this (which we have observed from on market products) is to apply glue like (PUR) coatings which can effectively bond the layers together. However, this practice in our opinion is not the ideal solution as it adds cost and has other potential concern in applied adhesives.

Our solution focus in developing a modified PP print film that can bond together in low temperature processing and of cause without the need for PUR coating.

How Sreelance can Support Better Development for PP-Based Vinyl Free LVT / SPC Floorings

Here at Sreelance Material Technology, we are deeply involved with upstream supply chains. This means we offer more than just a finished product. We support brands and even manufacturer of resilient flooring to select materials from composite compounds to printing films, pattern designs and whole flooring planks.

Currently we have initiated developments in high scratch resistant PVC wear layer, and Polypropylene (PP) based LVT/SPC formula. Manufactures of LVT & SPC can source our semi-finished materials  to implement into their production lines.

Our expert engineers here at Sreelance has worked on solutions in developing materials for PP-LVT/SPC with the consideration of existing production facilities that is currently producing standard LVT/SPC product lines. We provide raw materials in the form of PP-Print Films, Joint PP Wear layer with Print Film, and modified composite for extrusion of base material for PP floorings.

Our material solution is meant for existing vinyl flooring manufacturers to effective switch their product line without major adjustment to their current equipment or investments.

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