EGGER, an Austrian manufacturer of wooden floors and decorative laminates, has been incorporating cork into its products for over ten years.
We spoke with André Mack, Product Manager for the brand's Comfort Flooring, who highlights comfort and sustainability as the main reasons for choosing this raw material.
From your perspective, what has changed in the flooring sector in the last ten years?
The biggest change over the last 10 years has been the market development of LVT-, PVC- and SPC products. On the other hand, there is a countermovement of increasing demand for sustainably-produced products.
Given this increased demand for more environmentally friendly products, is sustainability an important topic in your industry?
Yes. We will see a growing market for sustainable products in the future.
In addition to architectural features such as style, space requirements and furnishings, ethical aspects are also becoming increasingly important for people. Customers are looking for natural building materials (if possible derived from circular economy), high energy efficient and environmentally friendly technologies for comfort and safety, and a modern symbiosis of beauty, functionality and nature.
“Cork is an amazing natural material. It has a unique warmth and tactility. It is a great traditional material that is a perfect fit for the future.”
André Mack
What challenges does EGGER face in terms of sustainability?
The demand for sustainable products is growing, and it is good to see that customers are focusing on this topic.
As a manufacturer, our main challenge is to meet the growing demand for sustainably produced inputs and raw materials such as packaging, glue, PEFC wood, etc., which makes purchasing increasingly challenging. At the same time, we are confronted with increasing regulatory requirements.
In your opinion, how has this change in the market been impacting the development of your products?
We are participant of the UN Global Compact and act according to the UN’s sustainable development goals.
In all our current and future investments and new developments (processes and products), we are focusing on sustainable aspects and try to implement the future requirements.
"Amorim helps us improve our products and our activities in the cork flooring business. With innovative products and further developments in their processes and facilities we have the support of a very strong partner."
Andre Mack, Product Manager for EGGER's Comfort Flooring
"Amorim helps us improve our products and our activities in the cork flooring business. With innovative products and further developments in their processes and facilities we have the support of a very strong partner."
Andre Mack, Product Manager for EGGER's Comfort Flooring
EGGER has been working with Amorim Cork Composites and cork for over ten years. What does it mean to work with this raw material?
Cork is an amazing natural material. It has a unique warmth and tactility. It is a great traditional material that is a perfect fit for the future.
What makes you choose Amorim Cork Composites?
If you want to produce something with cork composites in larger quantities in Europe, Amorim is the ideal partner. But we are not only talking about quantities. Taking a closer look at our partnership, Amorim helps us improve our products and our activities in the cork flooring business. With innovative products and further developments in their processes and facilities we have the support of a very strong partner.
About EGGER
Founded in 1961 in Austria, the EGGER Group is a global leader in the manufacture of wood-based materials for furniture, interior design, the flooring industry and construction products.
www.egger.com
Photos' credits: EGGER
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