Corticeira Amorim has just presented its latest product innovations in floor and wall coverings, the second most important business area in the company’s portfolio. Reclaimed and Authentica by Wicanders are two differentiated and high value-added products just launched onto the market, further strengthening the already robust sustainable position of this premium brand manufactured by the world's leading natural cork flooring producer.
Inspired by the trends in ecodesign that favour the use of ecological and recyclable materials, the Reclaimed collection [Visuals with a story to tell] replicates the natural look of previously used stone or wood floors, exalting the typical appearance of recovered unique pieces and bringing with them their own narratives.
The Reclaimed collection is made up of four striking wood and three stone looks and is the latest product line to join Wicanders’ Artcomfort range. With Reclaimed, authentic looking wood or stone patterns can be replicated onto a cork floor with an unprecedented degree of realism. This possibility results from the use of Realistic Surface printing technology, developed for those who know and appreciate the benefits of a cork floor, but prefer the aesthetics of materials such as wood or stone.
The innovative concept of this collection has been recognized by the Domotex organizers, who included the Reclaimed collection in the Innovation area of one of the largest and most important industry events in Germany.
Designed under the motto "Why only fit in when it was created to stand out" the Authentica collection represents a truly revolution in vinyl flooring. With two integrated cork underlays, the Authentica series marks a paradigm shift in vinyl flooring.
In total - and due to the fact that a second 2.7 mm cork underlay is integrated into the flooring - the thickness of this natural material reaches 4mm. Thus, this is the most environmentally friendly option of all flooring solutions existing on the market.
However, the benefits resulting from the use of a new layer of cork are not restricted to the “green” credentials of the floor. The tests conducted before launching the collection show a clear improvement in performance, particularly an increased thermal resistance by about 18% and roughly a 6% noise reduction.
Carlos de Jesus, Corticeira Amorim’s head of Marketing and Communication, said: "These new collections strengthen Corticeira Amorim’s leadership position in the world, in that the company’s R&D and innovation efforts continue to leverage natural cork as a material of excellence for interior design and in particular for the flooring segment."
The Authentica collection is intended for high-traffic areas, including heavily frequented public spaces. It offers a warranty coverage of 25 years for home use and 15 years for commercial applications.
Boasting a notable international and export profile, Corticeira Amorim has been launching its new flooring products at the main building and interior design events. Attention should be drawn to the fact that Wicanders launched its Hydrocork collection at BAU, in Munich, a year ago. The innovative feature of Hydrocork is the combination of a low thickness flooring solution with its resistance to water, an unprecedented fact in cork floors.