Välinge has introduced an improved version of the Nadura Powder technology. The company said the first deliveries to end consumers will start in May 2012 in cooperation with Bjoorn – a leading Swedish flooring web shop owned by Välinge Invest.

This second generation of the Nadura Technology comprises three powder layers. Balancing paper has been replaced by powder backing and the powder based surface layer comprises a high quality top layer and a more cost efficient sub layer. This solution improves the flexibility in the production and allows deeper embossing with limited pressure in a very cost efficient way, according to the company.

The present full-size production line in Viken has been extended with a powder backing station where a powder layer is scattered on the HDF core and stabilized. The panel is then turned such that the stabilized backing layer is on the rear side and a sub layer and a top layer are scattered on the core surface, stabilized and pressed.

New scattering equipment has been developed that allows powder application with better production tolerances and lower powder content. New powder qualities have also been developed based on new resin formulations that provide lower material costs and pressing time. The aim is to reach a very competitive cost structure.

Välinge has also decided to upgrade the present WFF production line in order to increase the production speed and capacity. The capacity of the powder milling and mixing line has recently been increased considerably in order to meet the increased demand for powder.

"The request for pressed Nadura products from our licensees in combination with the Bjoorn-volume force us to increase the pressing capacity. This is in line with our strategy to be in the front line of the production of our patented technology. That gives Välinge experience from high volume production that our Nadura licensees will benefit from," said Niclas Håkansson, CEO of Välinge Innovation.

Bjoorn and Välinge have jointly developed a new Nadura collection that comprises wood designs with deep hand scraped embossing, slate and stone designs with high wear resistance combined with deep embossing. Several new designs will be introduced in the next six months.

"We are pleased that Bjoorn will for the first time have a unique product range of Nadura floors that we will be able to sell to our web customers in Sweden. The range will be upgraded based on the market response that we receive during the next months. A major advantage is the fact that new designs may be developed in a few hours since no printing cylinders are needed," noted Tony Pervan, CEO, Bjoorn

Välinge will also start to deliver powder based products to some of its licensees in order to support test marketing.