EPLF oMGV Mai 2004€¦ · Web viewTo this end, the Association participates actively in standards committees, cooperates with other industry organisations and focuses on its in-house

MMFA Multilayer Modular Flooring AssociationMittelstrasse 5033602 BielefeldGermanywww.mmfa.eu

Contact for press enquiries:

Anke WöhlerPH MEYERWirtschaftsberatungGmbH & Co. KGMittelstrasse 50 33602 Bielefeld, GermanyT: +49 521 96533 39F: +49 521 96533 [email protected]

Download:www.phmeyer.dePress ToolText code: mfne601

Press ReleaseJanuary 2016

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MMFA invests in its own research projects Two new Technical Bulletins The MMFA – the Multilayer Modular Flooring Association, based in Bielefeld – has established itself as a European network in the international market within a short period of time. It has already brought together the major market players from the flooring sector and their suppliers. One of the goals of the MMFA is the implementation of high quality standards for modular multilayer flooring (MMF) products in all markets. To this end, the Association participates actively in standards committees, cooperates with other industry organisations and focuses on its in-house pilot research projects.

For MMFA President Matthias Windmöller, the annual report is positive:

“2015 has been a good year for the MMFA, and a significant one: the

upward trend for modular multilayer products in our markets is now well-

established. At the same time, the MMFA – a young, European

Association – has received approval and recognition as an international

organisation.”

Windmöller attributes this acceptance to the cooperative style of contact

that the MMFA has with other industry institutions. MMF products have

many different types of structure and use different materials such as

engineered wood, cork or plastic products. It naturally follows that there

are overlapping themes in research and standardisation activities with

other categories of flooring. According to Windmöller: “The MMFA

maintains a cooperative dialogue with other associations in the flooring

sector and its associated lines of industry. We believe that all players

benefit from these detailed technical exchanges.”






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When the new EN 16511 was officially published, a new milestone was

set for the industry. This standard was drawn up with the involvement of

the MMFA. The activities of the Association extend far beyond the

European region, however, as it is represented globally by its own

experts in standardisation committees at ISO level.

In-house test series initiated

Appropriate product standards are indispensable for evaluating the

safety, quality and sustainability of innovative multilayer coverings. In

view of the growing diversity of mixed products on the market, some of

the previous test methods are no longer adequate and need to be

revised. And in certain areas it has proved worthwhile developing new

test standards specifically for modular multilayer flooring. The MMFA

regards itself as both a joint interest group and a driving force, bringing

together the expertise of its members to carry out its own programme of

research in order to lay down the foundations for further development of

product testing.

Volker Kettler, MMFA Technical Chairman, says: “The MMFA wishes to

play a positive role in the future development of multilayer products.

After an identification stage during 2013 and 2014, we kick-started our

own research and development projects for the first time in 2015, from

which we expect to gain new and significant insights.” In the summer of

2015, the MMFA initiated a series of tests in collaboration with the IHD

Wood Technology Institute, Dresden. Two MMFA working groups are

engaged in developing new parameters for testing the locking strength

and temperature resistance of MMF planks. Work is currently underway

on issues such as a measuring technique for dimensional stability and

on test details for evaluating the seam strength of MMFA Class 2

products. The first interim results were analysed in the autumn of 2015

and the MMFA wishes to finalise these pilot projects during the course of






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2016. In this way, the Association intends to make substantiated

contributions to ongoing ISO and CEN work. According to Mr Kettler:

“Continuing the development of international product standards is a vital

pre-requisite for allowing safe and high-quality MMF flooring to assert

itself in future, in all markets if possible.”

Technical Bulletins on installation and cleaning & maintenance

Members of the MMFA are fully aware that there is still a great need for

clarification on modular multilayer flooring (MMF). By preparing

comprehensive technical information for this sector, the Association is

making an active contribution towards improving market transparency.

The intention here is to achieve high standards of quality and

knowledge, across as wide an area as possible. Two new Technical

Bulletins on “Installation” and “Cleaning and Maintenance” are currently

being worked on and are due to be published in spring 2016. As with all

technical information produced by the Association, these documents will

be available at a later date free of charge from the Download section of

our website www.mmfa.eu.

Interesting innovations in product features and design

For Sebastian Wendel, Market Development Chairman for the MMFA,

there is one key reason why modular multilayer planks enjoy market

success: “No other floor covering combines the many advantages of

different flooring categories in a single product.” Thanks to the benefits

of floating installation and the innovative click-lock installation technique,

laying the planks is a quick and secure process. At the same time, MMF

flooring possesses all the positive characteristics of elastic coverings:

comfortable to walk on, warm to the touch, good room acoustics and

easy to care for. Where there is minimal installation height, these floors

offer numerous variations in product structure as well as a remarkable






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choice of designs across the multilayer segment. This allows users to

select varying degrees of elasticity ranging from semi-rigid cores to fully

elastic planks, and thus achieve a broad spectrum of potential

applications in both the contract and private sectors.

For example, modular multilayer systems with a wood effect finish

suitable for wet rooms continue to gain ground. As well as kitchen and

bathroom applications, this flooring with its special features is an

increasingly popular choice in the contract sector for many different

areas from shop-fitting to doctors’ practices. When it comes to multilayer

planks, the extra-long version is currently a big trend; in line with the

modern country style of furnishing, the preference is for longer and wider

plank formats. With new developments in installation technology, even

the larger boards can be clicked together securely. One interesting new

development is the “all-round” click system that enables various-sized

planks and tiles to be combined in one area for a custom look.

In the production technology of modular multilayer flooring, both

environmental and sustainability are increasingly coming to the fore and

the proportion of product ranges now being developed using bio-based

materials is rising accordingly. – These are just some of the exciting new

developments in the MMF flooring sector.

Rustic-style variety of surfaces and new tile formats

The major themes on the flooring markets are still the Scandinavian

style with its light shades and clean lines and also the exciting mix of

rustic and urban looks, where country style and contemporary “shabby

chic” are creatively combined. By using cutting edge digital printing

technology, manufacturers can be very flexible and satisfy the demand

for custom designs within their collections. The many faces of oak are

presented in a variety of new surface designs. These planks gain their






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rustic character from tactile surfaces that provide an authentic look

through wood-grain effects, open pore structure, cracks and knots. The

newly-developed pine variations bring a new look to flooring – from calm

to busy wood textures, or visually striking fresh beech interpretations in

lighter shades. Equally authentic are the planks reflecting natural

reproductions of maple, acacia, hickory, larch and cedar. These ranges

are dominated by lighter and mid-tone colour schemes in warm white,

grey and beige shades. In the medium and darker colour spectrums, the

trend is moving towards warmer tones, and this is where walnut comes

back strongly into play. Another main topic for the MMF is the flexibility

offered by new tile formats: the offering has been expanded with

attractive concrete decors, among others, in a range of colours.

European manufacturers of modular multilayer flooring are continuing to

conquer new market segments with their fresh design ideas. The

Domotex trade fair incorporating the Wood Flooring Summit will launch a

very exciting year for the floor industry – this is where the latest

developments in MMF coverings will be presented on the world stage for

the first time. Sebastian Wendel says: “We are confident that in 2016,

innovative multilayer products will continue to attract a great deal of

attention in flooring markets.”

Aspecta, Novalis, ter Hürne and Toppan join as new members

At the beginning of the new year four companies joined the MMFA,

namely the flooring producers Aspecta BV (Oud Gastel/Netherlands),

Novalis (Bonn/Germany) and ter Hürne GmbH & Co.

KG (Südlohn/Germany) as ordinary members, and the printing specialist

Toppan Cosmo Europe GmbH (Düsseldorf/Germany) as an

extraordinary member. Thus as at 1st January 2016, the MMFA is made

up of 18 flooring manufacturers as ordinary members, 18 supplier

companies as extraordinary members and two research institutes as






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supporting members, and discussions are currently underway with other

interested companies. Members of the MMFA will be attending the next

Ordinary Members’ Meeting in the spring. At the invitation of Schattdecor

AG, this working meeting will take place in Thansau, Southern Germany,

on 9-10 May 2016. www.mmfa.eu

Images mfnd1601_b1:

MMFA President Matthias Windmöller: “The MMFA maintains a cooperative dialogue with the associations in the flooring sector and its associated branch industries. We believe that all players benefit from these detailed technical exchanges.” – Photo: MMFA

mfnd1601_b2:

Volker Kettler, MMFA Technical Chairman: “The MMFA kick-started its own research and development projects for the first time in 2015. Our work contributes towards the international implementation of high-level, consistent quality standards for MMF floor coverings.” – Photo: MeisterWerke

mfnd1601_b3:

Sebastian Wendel, MMFA Market Development Chairman: “Modular multilayer planks have clear advantages. No other floor covering combines the many advantages of various flooring categories in a single product.” – Photo: MMFA






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mfnd1601_b4:

European manufacturers of modular multilayer flooring are continuing to conquer new market segments with their fresh design ideas. – Photo: Haro

mfnd1601_b5:

New tile formats have expanded the range of MMF floors available. These new decor trends include attractive stone and concrete effects. – Photo: Classen

Press Conference, Pictures 17/01/2016

mfne1601_b6: MMFA board on 17th January 2016, Domotex in Hanover (v.l.): Volker Kettler, Sebastian Wendel, Matthias Windmöller. - Photo: MMFAmfne1601_b7: MMFA president Matthias Windmöller on 17th January 2016, Domotex in Hanover. - Photo: MMFAmfne1601_b8: MMFA vice president Volker Kettler on 17th January 2016, Domotex in Hanover. - Photo: MMFAmfne1601_b9: MMFA board member Sebastian Wendel on 17th January 2016, Domotex in Hanover. - Photo: MMFAmfne1601_b10: MMFA board on 17th January 2016, Domotex in Hanover (v.l.): Volker Kettler, Sebastian Wendel, Matthias Windmöller. - Photo: MMFA

MMFA 2015 Statisticsmfne1601_b11: PDF – Charts: MMFA






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Documents

EPLF oMGV Mai 2004€¦ · Web viewTo this end, the Association participates actively in standards committees, cooperates with other industry organisations and focuses on its in-house