FLOOR & WALL COVERINGS

Main R&D activities and projects developed:

• the launch, in January 2006, of the new cork look (Nuances) and wood look (Vintage) collections for floor coverings, and the new Ambiance collection for wall coverings;
• the finalisation of the project to increase resistance to ultraviolet rays, which resulted in an upgrade of the Ambiance collection for wall coverings, which then presented a surface finish with increased resistance to ultraviolet rays, through the introduction of UV absorbers;
• the finalisation of the project to develop innovative floors, which will lead to the launch of a new collection;
• the finalisation of the study of the properties of cork floors that reveal the degree of comfort experienced by the users, through the study of their biomechanical properties. In the first phase, aspects relating to the comfort experienced in the short or medium term were identified; then a relationship was established between this perceived comfort and the biomechanical properties. This study, by making it possible to increase technical knowledge of the product, will promote the development of new products and reinforce differentiating characteristics;
• the development of the new HPS varnish (High Protection Surface), for application to PVC, which not only bestows a natural look on the product, but also increases resistance to scratching, stains and shoe marks;
• the project to increase resistance to fire, aimed at obtaining a solution that will strengthen resistance to abrasion and to fire;
• the Ecobinders project: Amorim Revestimentos is one of the partners in this project with various European partners, including Amorim & Irmãos – of the Cork Stoppers BU. The aim of the project is to obtain an ecological agglomerant, using cork components as the agglomerating agent.