Laminate flooring may not have the best reputation when it comes to environmental impact, but EGGER’s GreenTec innovation is about to change that! Launching this July, EGGER’s new GreenTec flooring range is set to challenge traditional perceptions associated with laminate flooring and redefine what’s possible in this decorative product category.

Set to launch in Australia with ForestOne’s Decorative Products division, EGGER GreenTec kickstarts a whole new class of high-end decorative flooring for the Australian market – providing a wider range of responsible flooring options for industry professionals with sustainability goals. What makes GreenTec such a game changer in the flooring space?

GreenTec is a high-end residential and commercial HDF core product with a recycled cork underlay, a decorative finish on top – and environmental benefits starting right at its centre. “The HDF core consists of 61% post-industrial recycled waste,” explains John Dalla Via, National Sales Manager for EGGER Decorative Products for Australia and New Zealand. Driven by the notion that wood is too important a resource to waste, EGGER has long been an advocate of using wood from 100% certified forestry – and of the incorporation of post-industrial waste back into their products. GreenTec flooring is the result of that philosophy.

Utmost consideration for the external environment is not the only facet of GreenTec’s outstanding sustainability profile.  Internal environments are just as important, which is why GreenTec is VOC, PVA and plasticizer-free, making it the only flooring of its kind on the market. “Traditional laminate, vinyl and carpet floorings have PVC and plasticizers in them,” John explains. “We redesigned all of our laminate flooring products and changed some of the chemical binders to ensure that both plasticizers and PVCs were removed.”

This is extremely important from the occupant wellness point of view – and can be appropriately reflected through relevant rating systems, such as WELL or GreenStar.

While the innovative flooring range puts an emphasis on sustainability, this comes at no cost to the performance and design of the product, which is class leading.  At just 7.5mm thick, including the recycled cork underlay, this is a hardwearing, stain, scratch and water-resistant product that may be specified in a wide range of applications.

“GreenTec is water-resistant for up to 72 hours, which means it can be used in bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, as well as cafes and restaurants,” John describes. “It's been designed specifically for these high-impact environments, and it even meets the Critical Radiant Flux, which means it could be incorporated in a hotel lobby and run straight into the elevator for visual cohesion.” This commitment to performance is backed with an extensive guarantee of 25 years in residential and 5 years in commercial settings.

These practical qualities are further improved by the additional benefits of the cork underlay. “It buffers and dampens a lot of the sound that's traditionally produced when one walks over laminate flooring,” John says. “And because the cork is adhered to the back, there’s no need to install a separate product.”

While the product can be glued on, EGGER has patented their very own CLIC it! system, which enables the installer to simply click the respective parts onto each other. This makes the process of installation – and removal, if need be – easy and efficient. “It also means you can avoid putting on a lot of chemical glues,” John adds.

Available in a classic and a wide format, the high-performing range is launching down under with 7 designs that are bound to be a hit! After all, they were chosen in collaboration with Australian designers. “Forest One brought the whole 29-piece range to this year’s Denfair in Melbourne,” John explains. “They invited designers to pick out a selection that really stood out to them. The 7 designs that resonated best are going to launch in July.”

Sustainable, hard-wearing, easy to install and with a range of designs curated specifically for the Australian audience, GreenTec is set to expand ForestOne’s offering and disrupt the laminate flooring category in Australia. “EGGER GreenTec will give those designers and specifiers that care about sustainability and indoor air quality a good-looking product, which ticks all the boxes!” sums up John.