Selected innovations from Innovations@DOMOTEX
Carpet flooring, fibers and yarns

Carpet floors could solve a whole lot of problems if selected products from DOMOTEX 2017 are anything to go by. More and more exhibitors are using environmentally friendly production techniques and recyclable materials, but real innovations only develop if the ecological claim is tied up with the development of new visual qualities and an added value for the user.

Old fishnets made of nylon are 100% recycled for the creation of so-called “Econyl yarn”. In its “Metal X collection” Belgian manufacturer Tapibel makes use of the shimmering surface quality of this sustainable yarn in order to create a striking geometric design with elaborate effects in gold, silver and bronze. Furthermore, the floors and tiles are convincing thanks to their slightly irregular texture that appears three-dimensional. Aquafil from Italy also uses Econyl to create a carpet floor with a look that shimmers in silver and gold tones. “Metallic Long-Space” stands out thanks to its elegant striped pattern, which goes with a variety of furnishing styles.

A new tufting technology with structured loops has enabled the Danish company Fletco Carpets to produce patterns in up to four colors with no printing required. This is the case too with one of the exhibition’s innovations, “Stony Beach”. Thanks to their special reverse side made with “TEXtiles”, these carpet tiles are produced entirely without PVC and bitumen. What’s more, the pattern edges do not have to match up, so there is less waste. One product that is particularly quick to lay are the “Flotex Planks” from Dutch supplier Forbo Flooring. The 100 by 25 cm elements boast a very dense weave, are waterproof, easy to care for and bacteria-resistant. They are therefore well suited to flooring that needs to be particularly hard-wearing and hygienic. (he)