Classen Group, a German floor and wallcovering manufacturer, and Belgium-based technology company i4F have expanded their patent partnership to advance sustainable polypropylene (PP) flooring solutions, building on their eight-year collaboration. Under the agreement, i4F gains rights to license Classen's patented PP technology to third-party manufacturers. 

PP is a thermoplastic polymer derived from propene (or propylene) monomers through polymerization. When used in flooring products, it offers several advantages, including a low density for a lightweight structure, excellent water and chemical resistance, and durability with flexibility to withstand bending and stress without breaking. Additionally, PP is recyclable, making it an environmentally friendly option.

Classen will integrate i4F's drop-lock system into its PP-based Ceramin products, manufactured at its Kaisersesch, Germany, facility, which can produce over 20 million square meters annually. The partnership responds to growing industry demand for sustainable manufacturing solutions. 

"Forward-thinking, more sustainable solutions are the future, and Classen is committed to these solutions," said Céline Quervel, Clasen Group's managing director of sales.

Classen plans to develop a complete production line layout from extrusion to finishing, with additional technology advancements expected to be announced later this year.

"This latest evolution in our patent partnership with Classen is driven by a shared vision and commitment to advancing patent strategies that benefit the entire flooring industry," said John Rietveldt, i4F's CEO.