Mr Hans Brännström, previously R&D manager at Kährs, has on a consultancy bases joined the Välinge Innovation R&D team. Mr Brännström will also support the VFT group management as advisor in wood flooring related matters. His experience from more than 20 years from the wood industry whereof 15 years as R&D manager for a world-leading producer of engineered floors, will strengthen the specific Välinge R&D team that works with advanced wood technology with the aim to develop new wood floorings.
Several projects have been initiated related to core materials, locking systems, surface finishes and production technology. Välinge hopes that new inventions within the wood technology field will create a new strong technology base with the same potential as the new technologies that have been developed for laminate floors, powder based floors and LVT floors.
The wood flooring market is a very important market for Välinge and generates considerable license income from a large number of companies in the wood flooring industry. Introduction of mechanical locking systems and new cost saving production technology have strengthen engineered floors that are increasing their market share in many countries. Välinge believes that new technology will create an even bigger market for engineered wood floorings in the future. The conversion from solid wood to engineered floor is expected to accelerate.