Products offer performance and sustainability

Sustainability and environmental concerns continue to play a large role in the floor coverings industry. Adhesives are one of the areas greatly impacted by these issues, as well as compliance with environmental regulations. Today, products include features, such as solvent free, bio-based, zero or low VOC, recyclable packaging and healthier emissions benefitting both installers and end users.

Following are some of the products leading the way in sustainability.

Bostik

InnoStix PSA from XL Brands combines performance, versatility and sustainability. The product delivers all three with a USDA BioPreferred Certified (32% bio-based) pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for resilient flooring installations. Key benefits include aggressive tack and dependable bond performance; supports LVT, LVP, VCT, sheet vinyl, fiberglass-reinforced sheet vinyl and modular carpet tile; high-moisture resistance up to 95% RH; MicroSept antimicrobial protection; four hours of working time for installation flexibility; releasable and rebondable for carpet tile applications; solvent-free, low-odor formulation for occupied spaces.

Bona

Bona Quantum Flow is an easily pourable, one-component, silane-based wood floor adhesive designed for efficient installation and exceptional performance. Its smooth spreadability and strong green grab allow contractors to cover larger areas quickly, helping reduce installation time and effort. With a VOC-free formulation, in compliance with SCAQMD Rule 1168, the product delivers high-performance results with a formulation designed with today’s indoor environments in mind. Flooring can be ready for foot traffic and furniture in as little as one day.

Divergent

Divergent is dedicated to designing low-VOC, solvent-free, water-based adhesives that are not only safe for the end user, but also for the installer who uses them daily. These design features are not limited to only sourcing safe raw materials in the formulation, but include improving coverage, using recyclable packaging, reducing packaging and jobsite waste, and developing longer-lasting flooring systems. The goal is simple: Create adhesive technologies that meet today’s performance demands without compromising the needs of tomorrow. Divergent 574 Modified Pressure Sensitive Adhesive is smart, strong and safe.

Engineered Floors/Xcessories

Engineered Floors’ Xcessories Pro-Tac is a high-performance, modified transitional pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for modular LVP, LVT and hard-backed carpet. What stands out is its versatility: Installers can use it as a dry-set PSA with up to 12 hours of working time or a semi-wet set, while it confidently handles extreme substrate moisture up to 99% RH and pH levels up to 12. On the sustainability front, Pro-Tac boasts FloorScore and Green Label Plus certifications alongside an exceptionally low VOC profile of <11 g/L. Formulated with bio-based, mineral-abundant and post-consumer recycled content, it readily contributes to LEED v4/4.1 points for low-emitting materials.

Mohawk Performance Accessories

Performance Accessories V-One Multi-Functional Adhesive reflects a commitment to sustainability through product design and packaging innovation. Packaged in pails made with 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) content, V-One helps reduce reliance on virgin plastics while supporting more responsible material use. In addition, the adhesive is Greenguard Gold and FloorScore certified and contributes to LEED building initiatives, supporting healthier indoor environments and sustainable construction practices. By combining high-performance installation technology with environmentally conscious design, V-One delivers a solution that meets the needs of today’s flooring professionals and green building projects.

QEP

QEP’s Spray-Lock Premium Eco Spray adhesives were born out of concern for the environmental impact of aerosol chemicals. These high-performance formulas provide sustainable adhesives in the flooring industry. Spray-Lock’s pure polymer technology offers a low total VOC content. Other sustainability features include: 80% adhesive/material use reduction; 75% freight reduction (1 pallet of Spray- Lock covers the same square footage as four pallets of trowel-based adhesive). The adhesive allows for 100% recyclability of its packaging, eliminating landfill contributions; immediately allows all traffic, including heavy rolling or static loads; and, most importantly, limits wear and tear on the installer’s body.

TotalWorx

TotalWorx RockHold Pressure Sensitive Adhesive is a versatile flooring adhesive engineered to support a wide range of installation applications, including LVT, LVP, carpet tile, fiberglass-backed sheet vinyl and VCT. Its strong, reliable bond and pressure-sensitive technology provide installation flexibility while helping contractors maximize efficiency on the jobsite. The product also features a low-VOC formulation that promotes healthier indoor air quality and supports sustainable building initiatives. By combining broad flooring compatibility, professional-grade performance and environmental responsibility, RockHold delivers a dependable solution for demanding commercial and residential projects.

Sika

Sika’s latest wood flooring adhesive formulation is SikaBond T-85, a multi-use, sound and moisture control hybrid adhesive that cleans up easily off the surface of hardwood flooring when wet or dry. This easy-to-spread product contains zero VOCs, solvents or isocyanates and helps contribute to LEED credits. SikaBond T-85 is also Clean Air Gold certified. Providing multiple solutions in one pail, it offers moisture protection up to 12 lbs. ASTM 1869 and 85% RH/ASTM 2170, crack bridging, and sound reduction for full surface wood floor bonding. Once cured, SikaBond T-85 features a tenacious bond, high elongation and permanent elasticity, allowing planks to expand and contract without damage to the adhesive.

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MILEstone hosts 2026 Sustainability Summit

Clarksville, Tenn.—MILEstone, Florim USA’s porcelain tile brand, welcomed more than 60 architects and designers to its 2026 Sustainability Summit here at its manufacturing facility. Taking place Oct. 7-8, the event brought together design professionals, sustainability leaders, manufacturers and installation experts.

Attendees explored responsible material selection, manufacturing innovation and new solutions shaping the built environment.

The summit combined expert presentations, interactive discussions, factory tours, installation demonstrations and product reviews. Attendees also had opportunities to exchange ideas about material decisions and sustainability challenges. The program offered AIA and IDCEC continuing education credits.

“Being a leader in porcelain tile’s sustainability initiatives means more than developing products and improving how we manufacture them. It also means listening, sharing knowledge and understanding what the design community needs to move forward,” said Rodolfo Panisi, president and CEO of Florim USA. “The Sustainability Summit gives us an opportunity to bring these conversations together, learn from one another and continue doing our part to support a more sustainable future.”

Education focused on real-world applications

The educational program addressed sustainability throughout the material lifecycle. Topics included manufacturing, material selection, healthy indoor environments, outdoor applications and installation.

A dedicated panel examined installation considerations for large-format porcelain panels. The discussion also covered industry expertise and factors that influence successful applications.

Manufacturing takes center stage

Attendees experienced porcelain tile production firsthand during guided factory tours and showroom reviews.

Live demonstrations featured MILEstone’s Pre-Fab porcelain panels and L-Shaped countertop solutions. The sessions highlighted installation methods, precision and expanded design possibilities.

The program also examined outdoor paver applications and DAC Stories Collections. Those sessions connected product innovation with changing needs across interior and exterior environments.

The summit brought product development, manufacturing, sustainability and installation expertise together in one setting. The goal was to help attendees consider aesthetics alongside the information needed to make informed material decisions.

Giving designers a voice

MILEstone also used the summit to hear directly from architects and designers.

Those professionals bring firsthand knowledge of client expectations, material challenges and emerging design trends. They also understand the demands of creating sustainable and resilient buildings.

The summit created a forum for attendees to share priorities and identify areas where manufacturers can provide additional support. MILEstone said those insights will help shape future education, product information and resources for the architecture and design community.

 

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Karndean leverages expertise in LVT segment

Indy Urban Elm

Karndean Designflooring has spent decades concentrating on one flooring category: luxury vinyl. That focus has shaped not only its product development but also the way the company works with independent flooring retailers.

Rather than spreading its focus across multiple flooring categories, Karndean has built its business around specialized LVT expertise. That knowledge gives retailers another resource when working with customers, training sales associates or looking for ways to differentiate showrooms.

“Being a luxury vinyl-only supplier adds an element of trust that strengthens our partnerships with retailers,” said Jenne Ross, director of product at Karndean. “Our decades-long focus on luxury vinyl gives us highly specialized expertise that makes a real difference in the product quality, as well as a deeper understanding of what our retailers need. The ability to share that specialized expertise with retailers allows them to be more confident in conversations with customers and—when the time comes—in selling a Karndean floor.”

That specialization also simplifies the relationship between Karndean and its dealers. Rather than working with multiple representatives across several flooring categories, retailers can rely on one Karndean associate with expertise in luxury vinyl.

On the showroom floor, Karndean wants that knowledge to translate into confidence for both the retailer and the customer. The company’s emphasis on design plays an important role in creating that experience.

“The ability to offer a beautifully crafted product elevates the perception of our retailers,” Ross said. “It also reinforces the idea that Karndean retailers are specialists who can provide a first-class customer experience. Ultimately, retailers can have confidence that their customers are going to love their Karndean floor, which starts with the exceptional product design that has always set our flooring apart.”

Karndean develops and owns its wood- and stone-inspired designs, sourcing natural materials from around the world and translating them into original flooring visuals. The company’s product team works to capture and enhance the character of those materials before creating the print films used in its products.

“Every wood and stone design is a Karndean original,” said Dave Capalbo, the company’s vice president of retail sales.

Karndean’s commitment to the LVT category resonates with its dealers partners. Lubbock, Texas-based Yates Flooring and Design, which dedicates ample space to Karndean galleries on its showroom floor, can attest. “Karndean’s sole focus on luxury vinyl plank shows in everything they do,” said Ryan Rogers, Yates Flooring and Design CEO. “Their visuals are some of the best, if not the best, in the industry. They continue to find ways to set themselves apart.”

For Rogers, however, the relationship extends beyond the products. “What has made Karndean truly special to Yates Flooring are the people,” he said. “Their local team and upper management have become good friends and people I trust. Those relationships have helped us build a long-term partnership that has been great for our company and our customers.”

Corsini Marble

All about partnerships

Karndean sees a connection between those relationships and its roots as a family business. That background gives the company something in common with many of the independent retailers it serves.

“We’re a family business, just as so many of our retailers are,” Ross explained. “We’re always mindful that people have an emotional connection to their homes, and we take exceptional pride in crafting beautiful flooring that becomes part of their everyday lives.”

While “partnership” has become a common term among flooring suppliers, Capalbo said Karndean tries to make it a measurable part of its retail strategy. “The word ‘partnership’ can be overused, but for Karndean it’s the focal point of our retail strategy,” he said. “We measure our success by the success of our independent flooring retailers. That means investing in showroom displays, product launches, training, field sales support and marketing resources to help them grow their business.”

Those investments are shaped by what Karndean hears directly from its dealers. The company’s regional sales teams and other support personnel spend time learning about local market conditions, operational challenges and opportunities for growth.

“We spend time listening to retailers to understand what’s happening in their market, then ask ourselves the question: How can we help them win more business and strengthen their profitability,” Capalbo said.

Lottie Maloy, owner of Phillips Flooring America, Longview, Texas, agreed, adding that the combination of product knowledge and dealer support has helped her business compete in a crowded market.

“Karndean’s singular focus on luxury vinyl has made them much more than a vendor to us—it has helped us build a trusted, long-term partnership,” Maloy said. “Their specialized product expertise, original design, thoughtful showroom merchandising and ongoing training give our team the knowledge and confidence to offer customers something distinctive in an increasingly competitive market.”

Karndean’s ongoing support gives Maloy confidence that the supplier remains invested in its success. “The combination of trust, consistency and category expertise Karndean offers helps us differentiate our business through both the products we offer and the experience we provide,” she said.

It’s precisely that approach that has helped Karndean build a loyal dealer network. Long-standing relationships allow the company to better understand the goals of individual retailers and tailor support through customer service, merchandising, marketing and field sales.

“Our retailers understand we’re invested in their success,” Capalbo said. “The relationships we’ve established allow us to understand the unique goals and challenges of every retailer we serve and provide meaningful support accordingly.”

Karndean’s history as a family business also influences how it approaches those relationships. Despite the company’s growth, Capalbo said retailers should still feel they have direct access to people who can help when a need arises.

“Retailers know they’re not just an account number,” he explained. “They know they can pick up the phone and speak to someone who can help them.”

Merchandising support

Karndean’s relationships with specialty retailers have become increasingly important as more brands enter the hyper-competitive luxury vinyl category. Karndean sees product design as one point of differentiation, but the company also places emphasis on what happens after the product reaches the showroom.

“As essential as product is, it’s just one part of the equation,” Capalbo said. “We invest heavily in showroom merchandising because we know displays drive shopping behavior for consumers in the market for flooring.”

Karndean supplements displays with presenters, samples, marketing materials, education and training. The goal is to help retail sales associates understand features that distinguish the products and communicate that value to shoppers.

Eric Mondragon, division manager at RC Willey, Salt Lake City, said Karndean’s merchandising and local support have helped his sales team create a better customer experience. “Karndean has been a great partner for RC Willey,” Mondragon said. “Their long-standing focus on the luxury vinyl category has made them a trusted resource and industry leader. They continue to evolve their products and programs, and they are always open to feedback.”

Mondragon also pointed to the ease of using Karndean’s merchandising system and the support provided by the company’s territory manager.

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Cersaie 2026 showcases global tile trends, innovations

Bologna, Italy—The 43rd edition of Cersaie concluded Sept. 25, bringing together manufacturers, designers and industry professionals from around the world. The international exhibition highlighted the latest developments in ceramic and porcelain surfaces, bathroom furnishings and architectural design.

The five-day event attracted 92,352 visitors and featured 595 exhibitors, including 233 international companies representing 24 countries. The show reinforced its role as a global platform for design innovation, manufacturing advancements and emerging industry trends.

Exhibitors showcased new applications for ceramic surfaces across countertops, cooktops, vanities, tabletops and sanitaryware. Outdoor applications also gained attention, with manufacturers highlighting products for patios, facades and other exterior spaces.

Across the show floor, earthy and blush tones emerged alongside deeply textured surfaces, grooves and bold graphics. Manufacturers also displayed increasingly large-format slabs and advancements in sustainable production.

Architecture and design take center stage

Beyond the exhibition halls, Cersaie’s “Building, Dwelling, Thinking” cultural program attracted considerable interest.

More than 800 attendees participated in keynote lectures featuring Pritzker Prize-winning architect Alejandro Aravena of ELEMENTAL and architect Annabelle Selldorf, founding principal of New York-based Selldorf Architects.

Throughout the week, press cafes, technical seminars and live installation demonstrations at Tiling Town gave attendees additional opportunities to explore industry developments.

The annual Ceramics of Italy International Press Conference brought together journalists from around the world to discuss emerging industry trends. Global trend consultant Cristina Faedi shared key design directions for the season.

The program also recognized achievements in architectural journalism, presenting Elle Decor with the 29th Ceramics of Italy Journalism Award.

Competition recognizes design excellence

Cersaie also announced the winners of the 2026 Ceramics of Italy International Tile Competition. The competition recognized four winners and five honorable mentions across the Residential, Commercial, Outdoor and Design & New Applications categories. The honored projects demonstrated the versatility of Italian ceramic and porcelain surfaces in architecture and interior design.

North American firms earned several distinctions. Florida-based 610 Interiors won the Residential category for its Spoonbill project. Brooks Design Studio received an honorable mention in the same category.

Space & Forms earned an honorable mention in the Outdoor category, while Design Continuum received recognition in Commercial. Canada’s Studio Maggs also earned an honorable mention in Design & New Applications.

Architect and journalist Donatella Bollani moderated the awards presentation. Participants included jury chairman Steve Clem, principal at TVS and architect Alfonso Femia, founder of Atelier(s) Alfonso Femia. Filippo Manuzzi, president of promotional activities and trade fairs at Confindustria Ceramica, also participated.

The event highlighted the growing range of applications for ceramic surfaces and the industry’s continued emphasis on design, performance and innovation.

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i4F signs licensing deal with Hoek Home

Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Hoek Home specializes in modular, tool-free furniture designed for quick and intuitive assembly.

Turnhout, Belgium—i4F has partnered with Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Hoek Home to bring the company’s patented furniture-connection technologies to market through its global licensing program. The agreement gives i4F exclusive licensing rights to Hoek Home’s furniture-connection system. It also marks i4F’s expansion beyond the flooring industry into the furniture category.

The partnership gives Hoek Home access to i4F’s global network of licensing partners and intellectual property protection infrastructure. This allows Hoek Home to focus on advancing its design and engineering innovations.

“We set out to make beautifully designed furniture radically easier to assemble in order to meet consumers’ demand for simplicity,” said Conor Coghlan, founder of Hoek Home. “This is exactly where the synergy with i4F lies, with its focus on easy and intuitive technologies and systems. Its global reach and strong IP protection give us the platform to scale, improving how furniture is manufactured, moved and ultimately experienced in the home.”

John Rietveldt, CEO of i4F Technologies, added: “Hoek’s vision fits perfectly with our strategy to deliver smart and easy-to-use technologies that solve real problems for manufacturers, retailers and consumers. Its intuitive connection system can also support more efficient manufacturing, while offering furniture that can be assembled or disassembled in seconds, making the value obvious from the first use.”

Applications include indoor dining tables, outdoor tables, benches and modular dorm room desks. A second patented system extends the technology to seating, allowing manufacturers to create coordinated table and chair collections with tool-free assembly.

For manufacturers, the technologies can reduce the number of components needed while providing a repeatable, scalable connection system. Retailers can offer consumers furniture that is easier to assemble, move and store. Expanded flat-pack options can also support more efficient shipping and logistics.

 

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Tuesday Tips: Savings with WEX Fuel Card

Dalton—The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) released a new “Tuesday Tips” this week. In the series, WFCA experts present short video tips for improving customer service and optimizing staff performance. In the end, it’s all about understanding the importance of doing 100 things just 1% better than your competition.

In this week’s Tuesday Tip, Melissa Thome of Savings4Members highlights the WEX Fuel Card and how it can help WFCA members save.

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Mills tout proprietary pet portfolios

Top carpet manufacturers have heavily optimized their soft-surface portfolios to cater specifically to pet-owning households. Designed with stain resistance, odor protection and durability in mind, these carpets are seen as ideal for families with dogs and cats.

Many styles feature advanced technologies to ensure spills and accidents won’t leave lasting marks. Some new products have integrated anti-microbial backing to prevent odors and stains from settling, while hypoallergenic fibers help minimize pet dander and dust mite accumulation.

Following are some of the latest introductions.

Engineered Floors

All DreamWeaver and PureGrain products come with the company’s proprietary PawPrint Protection. “We believe pet protection shouldn’t mean a separate collection or an upcharge,” said Katelin Ahern, senior director, residential marketing. PawPrint Protection is standard on DreamWeaver (lifetime pet stain coverage) and PureGrain (lifetime pet stain and waterproof protection) offerings. “New Dawn is a good example of what we mean when we say pet protection shouldn’t be a compromise,” Ahern said. “You get a plush carpet with real depth, layering in warm naturals and earthy tones so the color has movement instead of sitting flat. This color technique helps bring out the best of the colors that are already in the room. And because PureColor locks that color into the fiber, stains don’t set, the color won’t fade or wash out.”

Gulistan

Gulistan designs carpets for busy, active households where everyday spills, muddy paws and heavy foot traffic are simply part of life. Backed by a lifetime stain warranty, each collection delivers lasting peace of mind alongside sophisticated design. Gulistan’s advanced solution-dyed technology locks color deep into the core of the fiber, providing exceptional resistance against stubborn stains, soil and fading. Crafted with premium polyester and LifeStrand Nylon, these carpets are engineered to retain their texture, spring back under pressure, and stay looking fresh in the home’s highest-traffic spaces. Its dependable performance and enduring confirm, crafted into every fiber.

Masland

Pet-friendly performance meets polished design. Masland’s Grand Champion is crafted from durable EnVisionSD solution-dyed nylon, helping it stand up to stains, fading and the everyday wear that comes with pets and active households. Its 48-ounce cut-pile construction and tailored pattern deliver lasting beauty, while a sophisticated palette of warm neutrals, earthy taupes and deeper accents brings elevated style to any room. Grand Champion proves you don’t have to sacrifice great design for pet-friendly performance.

Mohawk

Mohawk’s pet portfolio pairs two distinct strengths. SmartStrand carpet with Pur-Ease features built-in allergen control technology—natural probiotics are built into the carpet to reduce pet dander, dust mite allergen and pollen by up to 75%, earning the first Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification for a treated carpet. PETPremier carpet was created for pet-friendly homes resisting pet stains to make cleanup easy, and it’s made from post-consumer recycled bottles. Both lines are backed by the lifetime All Pet Protection & Warranty. Together they give retailers a complete pet story: indoor air quality and worry-free cleanup across price points.

Shaw Floors

Inspired by the organic modern trend, Grand Influence I/II/III is a cut-pile style from Shaw Floors featuring a warm, welcoming neutral palette that sets the tone for relaxed living at home. Its versatile texture carries an energetic, yet balanced, character—comfortable, casual and stylish—with the added confidence of Pet Perfect performance, built to handle life with pets.

Stanton Design

Trent brings a refined approach to pet-friendly performance, proving that practical flooring doesn’t have to compromise on style. Part of Stanton’s Pet Guard collection, Trent features a smooth velvet cut pile crafted from 100% solution-dyed polyester, delivering an elegant, even finish with beautiful depth of color. Designed for homes where pets and elevated interiors coexist, Trent pairs enduring performance with a sophisticated aesthetic, making it a versatile foundation for today’s spaces.

Tarkett Home

PAWSH was made for homes where paws are part of the family. From muddy feet and unexpected accidents to daily zoomies, PAWSH lets homeowners enjoy beautiful carpet without worrying about every little mess.

Made with solution-dyed nylon, PAWSH delivers lasting durability, stain resistance and extra peace of mind; it also comes with the PAWSH and Protect warranty. Homeowners do not have to choose between a carpet that can handle their pets and one they are proud to show off. PAWSH creates the kind of soft, welcoming space where bare feet, kids building forts on the floor and four-legged family members can all get comfortable together.

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