Waregem, Belgium—Unilin Technologies is expanding its patent portfolio on waterproof edge-coatings for MDF and HDF based boards. An additional U.S. patent has been granted on Oct. 18, 2022, which will expand the already substantial U.S. and European patent portfolio.
Unilin’s patent portfolio is the consequence of the early and highly dedicated R&D program that resulted in strong patents with priority dates as of 2015, according to the company. The newly granted U.S. Patent U.S. 11,473,315, which protects the impregnation of MDF/HDF based boards with different types of coating, is the company’s second U.S. patent for waterproof coatings after U.S. 10,655,338.
The U.S. patents are following in the footsteps of the European patents that have already been granted. “We have a strong patent portfolio on waterproof coatings and we see that wood and laminate manufacturers all over the world are interested in making their products more resistant to water,” said Floris Koopmans, sales director, Unilin Technologies. “With this new patent we hope to further inform the industry about the existing broad patent portfolio in this area of expertise.”
Unilin said it licenses out its own waterproof edge-coating solution under the name Unicoat, in partnership with machine supplier Schiele Machinebau GmbH. “Unicoat outperforms other waterproof coatings in the market today,” Koopmans said. “Unicoat not only prevents swelling, it also ensures a sealed surface that prevents water from penetrating between the joints. Unicoat has proven to prevent leaks, swelling and discoloration of the floors for over a week, even after extensive testing with standing water.”