Over the past 50 years or so, laminate has grown into a classic, and today it is more innovative and sustainable than ever. Rogier Verkarre, General Manager Laminate at Unilin: “Laminate has everything people are looking for in a floor: it’s strong, hard-wearing, water-resistant, affordable and easy to install. In other words, you get great quality for a fair price. That makes the product very accessible: for young and old, for new-builds and renovations alike. That combination explains why laminate has been so successful for almost five decades.”

In what ways has Unilin played a pioneering role?

“We were laminate pioneers in several ways. We were the first to bring laminate directly to shops and we built our own brand – Quick-Step – to appeal directly to end customers but the key innovation was the development of the Uniclic system. That click system revolutionised the entire flooring landscape. All of a sudden anyone could lay a floor themselves, without glue or the need for a professional. This genuinely democratised laminate. In addition, the floating installation method makes it the ideal solution for renovation projects.” 

How important is design to Unilin?

“Design is at least as important as technology. Today’s laminate is almost impossible to distinguish from real parquet. At Unilin we don’t start from a simple photo print but from a creative vision: we look for the natural imperfections that give wood its authenticity. As a result, our floors have a warmer and more natural look than ever. This means design enthusiasts don’t have to compromise.”

Which recent innovation are you particularly proud of?

“Our new herringbone collection in the Quick-Step Impressive range. The herringbone motif is a mainstay in interior design and we marketed the first 100% waterproof herringbone laminate. From a technical point of view this is truly unique. Several innovative technologies combine to make this laminate possible. 

The UniZip click system has made installation much easier: one plank type is all that’s needed. Our self-developed Hydroseal coating and a pressed joint that prevents creaking guarantees a completely waterproof and creak-free floor. The collection features six stylish colours and no fewer than 56 unique plank designs, covering almost 5m² without repetition. For me this collection is a perfect blend of top design and advanced technology.”

How sustainable is Unilin’s laminate?

“Sustainability runs through every layer of our planks. This also ensures that the EPD value of our laminate (which reflects the environmental impact of a product over its full life cycle, ed.) is lower than that of other floors. Today, the core of a laminate floor is made of 100% recovered wood. Thanks to recent recycling innovations, the share of recycled MDF and HDF will continue to increase year after year. 

Our aim is to reach 25%. To make this happen, we invested heavily, for example at our site in Bazeilles, France. This is part of our One Home strategy, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. We’re also making progress in the other layers, such as adhesives and coatings. And we’re doing it without compromising on quality, making laminate both a smart and sustainable choice.”

How do you see the future of laminate?

“Laminate still has a very bright future. The recent Lux 21 production line in Wielsbeke and a brand-new factory in Brazil illustrate how firmly we believe in this category. In fact, our goal in Latin America is to become the epicentre of laminate production. After 40 years of success one thing is clear: laminate is here to stay. Thanks to our investments in innovation, design and sustainability, we are ready for the decades ahead.”

40 years of laminate have resulted in more than 2500 patents for Unilin. Through these patents, we continue to innovate in the flooring industry.

Discover the full Long Live Laminate story