The collection translates fractured veining and crystalline depth into porcelain surfaces designed for contemporary interiors. Portobello America said Cristallo brings radiance, dimension and refined clarity to the built environment.
Cristallo explores how light moves across material. Layered graphics, expressive reliefs and carefully tuned finishes create surfaces that appear to hold light within the stone itself. The result offers a softer interpretation of quartzite.
Collection features multiple finishes and colors
Portobello America offers Cristallo in three finishes: Matte, Polished and Soft. Matte provides a calm, architectural look. Polished offers maximum clarity and luminosity. Soft delivers a satin, silky-touch finish with controlled sheen.
The collection also introduces Concavo, a sculpted relief made in the U.S. Portobello America said the relief transforms shadow into a design element and adds rhythm and dimension to walls.
Cristallo is available as a global collection in Bianco, Oro and Rose. Bianco offers luminous continuity. Oro brings warmer depth and golden movement. Rose is available as a special order in 48 x 48 inches.
The collection includes integrated mosaics, multiple relief expressions and a complete surface system approach. Portobello America said the line gives designers flexibility to create spaces defined by light, depth and architectural sophistication.
Dalton—J+J Flooring introduced Color Wash, a new carpet tile collection inspired by watercolor painting and artistic texture.
The company said the collection combines fluid beauty with nature-inspired movement to create interiors that feel calm and expressive.
“We wanted to interpret the subtle wash of color and movement within watercolor paintings with this collection; that very textural look that is hard to achieve with traditional tufted yarns,” said Laura Holzer, design director of commercial division. “Our technology and construction innovation has allowed us to do more patterning to achieve the desired effect.”
Collection features layered color and texture
Brushlight serves as the collection’s bolder expression. J+J Flooring said the style features large-scale, highly textured design with rich depth and color. The company added that the style creates a refined counterpart across a broader range of settings.
Color Wash launches with 13 colorways inspired by natural elements. The palette includes calming blues, warm rust tones, grays and greens. J+J Flooring said the collection also includes neutral shades inspired by mist, fog and rain.
J+J Flooring offers the collection in 18 x 36 tiles that coordinate across its flooring platform. This new collection also includes optional modular carpet backing options that provide PVC-free alternatives and support sustainability goals.
J+J Flooring engineered the collection for workplace, hospitality, education and healthcare environments. The company manufactures Color Wash products domestically.
Lyndhurst, N.J.—Sika launched its new “Bring It On” marketing campaign designed to show contractors, installers and flooring professionals that the company offers a complete range of flooring installation solutions.
The campaign focuses on helping flooring professionals achieve reliable, high-quality installations across a range of project types. Sika said the portfolio includes primers, patch and repair products, self-leveling solutions, moisture mitigation systems, flooring adhesives and tile-setting materials.
The “Bring It On” campaign made its official debut earlier this year during TISE in Las Vegas. Sika said the launch generated strong engagement and positive feedback from the industry.
At the center of the campaign is the Sika Secure System, a complete lineup of flooring installation products designed to address contractors’ day-to-day challenges. Sika said the system combines technologies from the Schonox, SikaBond, SikaLevel and SikaTile product lines.
“Sika is a global leader in the flooring industry, recognized for delivering innovative, solution-driven products that empower professional contractors,” said Marlene Morin, senior director of floor covering and interior finishing at Sika Corporation. “With our state-of-the-art formulations and the opening of our new 250,000-square-foot mortar production facility in southern New Jersey, we are uniquely positioned to offer customers one of the most comprehensive installation supply portfolios in the industry.”
Morin said Sika’s nationwide sales force combines technical expertise with responsive customer service to support contractors and installers across the country. She also noted the company’s network of manufacturing and warehousing facilities helps Sika deliver installation materials efficiently.
Sika said the Secure System provides a multi-tier product offering designed specifically for professional installers. The company added that the integrated system helps professionals address flooring installation challenges with confidence regardless of project size or complexity.
The flooring industry has always been driven by innovation, but recent advancements in technology have taken soft surface to new heights.
Acting on consumer feedback for better goods, mills are turning to advanced technology—including CAD software and computerized tufting machines—to enhance design precision and increase production efficiency. Automation enables intricate patterns and high-speed manufacturing, while AI and nanotechnology create durable, water-resistant flooring that meets modern demands for quality and eco-friendly practices.
A closer look at who’s doing what:
Engineered Floors is at the forefront of technology centered around PureColor. “Because we manufacture everything under one roof, we have been able to innovate our soft surface technology straight from the extrusion process,” said Eric Ruppert, vice president of soft surface product development and marketing. “PureColor is the catalyst for our performance and sustainability story.”
EF’s extrusion process uses 87% less water, 32% less energy and emits 42% fewer greenhouse gases than traditional carpet manufacturing—a great selling point for eco-conscious buyers.
The mill’s twistX technology takes the inherent stain-proof benefits of PureColor and engineers it for maximum durability and organic aesthetics. “We use a unique twist multiplier that results in a 3-ply construction with 50% higher bundle sizes,” Ruppert said. “This means there is significantly more yarn and higher density per square foot compared to conventional synthetic carpets.”
In the twisting process two cones of single-ply fiber are wisted together to create a two-ply fiber (2 is better than 1) thus increasing the strength and durability of the fiber.
Shaw’s proprietary Anso High Performance fibers combine solution-dyed technology, advanced yarn engineering and built-in stain and soil protection to deliver durability, cleanability and lasting beauty.
Another Shaw technology, R2X, bonds to the carpet fiber during manufacturing so the protection is intended to hold up over time, even with routine maintenance and professional cleanings. LifeGuard Spill-Proof Technology remains a key differentiator as a residential carpet with a built-in moisture barrier, helping protect against spills and pet accidents while also minimizing concerns around lingering odors and long-term subfloor damage.
A few mills use ColorGuard technology, which provides carpets with built-in color and fade resistance that withstand stains as well as long-term exposure to the sun.
Mohawk’s SmartStrand portfolio with Pur-Ease technology recently earned the Asthma & Allergy Friendly Certification as the first treated carpet product to meet the program’s requirements under its enhanced textile flooring standard. Pur-Ease technology uses natural probiotics to reduce certain common household allergens such as pet dander, pollen and dust mite allergen.
“Innovation at Mohawk has always been about more than just creating beautiful, durable products,” said Joe Semaan, president of residential carpet of Mohawk. “It is about improving the way people live.”
Two other technologies that figure prominently in Mohawk soft surface products are ColorMax, which uses a tri-color yarn twist and advanced dyeing to create rich color saturation, superior color fastness and high-style design; and EasyClean, a specialized technology providing enhanced soil and stain resistance for easier, faster cleanup.
The Dixie Group uses beck dyeing, a carpet dyeing method in which large rolls of uncolored carpet are immersed in a heated dye solution for several hours, for some of its luxury brands. Ideal for solid colors and smaller production runs, this process produces even color penetration throughout. “The beck dye process is the best dyeing process for color penetration and consistency,” said T.M. Nuckols, president of the residential division of The Dixie Group.
Stanton Design says choosing the right flooring is a meaningful investment, and to that end says customers should feel certain in their decision. The Advanced Visualizer brings that confidence to life by allowing users to see products within their own space or designed environments. Bridging imagination and reality help eliminate uncertainty and empowers customers to move forward knowing exactly how their space will come together, according to Stanton.
Kaleen uses AI and data tools in areas such as research, marketing and analysis to better understand trends, organize information and support stronger communication with customers. It is also developing a more interactive custom rug design tool to help dealers, designers and retailers guide customers through the process of selecting a collection, color, shape, size and finish. The goal is to make custom rugs feel more approachable, accurate and efficient from the start.
Across the flooring manufacturing landscape, there’s no shortage of advancements and innovations that are poised to change the game. These include alternative cores, advanced locking systems, AI-based technologies and more.
Bjelin recently unveiled the latest iterations of its signature Woodura-branded flooring with the launch of Woodura Herringbone 3.0 strips and Woodura Planks 3.0. Bjelin’s hardened wood floors feature the patented Woodura technology, a high-quality solution that maximizes the use of raw materials while creating 100% real wood floors that boast 3x the strength of engineered wood floors. The improved dent- and water-resistance makes them ideal in busy homes as well as high-traffic commercial settings.
“Our team has worked tirelessly to combine cutting-edge technology, quality raw wood materials, sustainability and Scandinavian design,” said Bob Naida, residential and commercial national sales manager for the U.S. market.
Bjelin, part of the Pervanovo Invest AB Group, develops and manufactures a broad product portfolio of traditional wood floors and innovative floors in new materials in collaboration with sister company Välinge.
Classen
The Classen Group, a global pioneer in non-PVC flooring solutions, has devised a way to produce polypropylene-based flooring at a cost level comparable to traditional PVC products. According to the company, this development has the potential to fundamentally reshape the flooring market.
“We strongly believe that polypropylene is the right material from a quality, environmental and health perspective,” said Céline Quervel, managing director, Classen Group. “With our new production process, we are now establishing the economic foundation to bring this material to scale.”
From the early days of PVC flooring, Classen made a deliberate decision to move away from the material—primarily due to the use of plasticizers and stabilizers. Instead, the company invested early in polypropylene, one of the world’s most widely used and cleanest plastics. Polypropylene is chemically stable, free from harmful additives and fully recyclable, making it ideally suited for circular systems.
Over the past 15 years, Classen has built deep technological expertise and a strong and differentiated patent position in polypropylene-based flooring. According to Classen, polypropylene flooring delivers superior performance across key dimensions, including environmental impact, health profile, durability and long-term material stability.
How it works: The AI systematically analyzes large volumes of data related to compositions, locking profiles and performance results. As the database expands, the system continues to learn and refine its insights. The system generates actionable, data-driven recommendations, including composition and process adjustments aimed at improving performance outcomes.
“We have brought in all our test results of the last 12 years of our locking or composition in a consistent database,” said John Rietveldt, CEO. “With our new ai4F strategy, we are laying a strong foundation for how data and analytics will shape future technology developments in the global flooring industry.”
Unilin Technologies continues to expand on its portfolio of locking system innovations.
Unilin Technologies
Unilin Technologies is aiming to simplify the flooring accessory development process by offering a comprehensive array of technology solutions for its hard surface licensee partners. The proprietary processes Unilin employs allow for the creation of a variety of accessories—including: wall base panels that click together; trims and moldings; and 4-in-1 matching profiles. The best part: utilizing the flooring manufacturer’s original planks “means a perfect match between your floor and accessories,” said Lauren Delee, business development manager, IP.
Aside from the array of accessories solutions, Unilin is also looking to make it easier and more efficient to install various flooring formats beyond traditional hard surface planks. Take its Squareclic technology, for example. This solution not only allows for the speedy installation of square tiles in, say, a checkerboard pattern, but it also keeps the tiles perfectly aligned during and after installation. The special insert utilized in the installation system, according to Delee, can be integrated at the manufacturing site, so there’s no hassle for the installer to work with separately delivered inserts. Plus, no additional tools needed for installation or deinstallation.
“Squareclic minimizes the risk of shifting panels while making the installation easier than ever,” said Floris Koopmans, sales & marketing director. “The integrated insert automatically locks into the other panel, creating the perfect alignment between tiles. It keeps the floor looking exactly as intended, even years after installation.”
Välinge Innovation
Välinge Innovation, an early pioneer in the development of click flooring, puts the spotlight on several noteworthy innovations for 2026. The first is 5G H/B One, Välinge’s one-panel solution for herringbone installation. By eliminating the need for separate A and B panels, it enables faster, more user-friendly installation while ensuring strong, reliable connections.
The company is not stopping there. It’s looking to further optimize resilient flooring with the proliferation of its line of game-changing locking systems, including 2G PRO, 5G-i PRO and 5G PRO. These are designed to increase vertical locking strength by up to 3x while enhancing overall durability. Combined with Liteback, Välinge’s panel technology that reduces weight, lowers material use and adds sound-reducing properties, these solutions enable manufacturers to optimize resilient flooring performance in all aspects.
Lastly, Välinge is looking to enhance wood flooring’s performance—particularly resistance to water incursion—with installation systems such as 5G Dry. The technology is designed to prevent water from penetrating joints.
Sarasota, Fla.—The Reshoring Initiative, in collaboration with Regions Recruiting, launched an industry-wide survey examining the factors shaping manufacturers’ decisions to reshore factories and supply chains. The research comes as the U.S. works to rebuild its manufacturing base.
The Reshoring Initiative survey will gather feedback from manufacturing operations, supply chain and procurement decision makers and contract manufacturers. According to the organization, industry leaders and the Trump administration will use the findings to help shape policies that support manufacturing.
“Our 2025 survey explored the likely impact of contemplated 2025 policy changes,” said Harry Moser, founder of the Reshoring Initiative. “The 2026 survey focuses more on the impact of actual policy changes, including taxes, tariffs and the resulting uncertainty, the need for a greatly enhanced skilled workforce and training system and the expected impact of AI. Reshoring has surged from 11,000 jobs announced/year in 2010 to 244,000/year in 2025, a 25% compound annual growth rate. Our economy and national defense need much more reshoring and workforce to thrive and survive.”
Kathy Nunnally, managing partner at Regions Recruiting, which specializes in lean manufacturing and distribution leadership placements, added, “The pandemic was an eye-opener and now, the war with Iran, showing us what’s at risk when supply chains are disrupted. Most of our OEM clients continue to work on supply chain resiliency strategies and the building of teams and technological capabilities required to execute them. There is a bright future ahead for domestic contract manufacturers, that’s for sure.”
The organizations are calling on OEMs and contract manufacturers to participate. The nationwide survey is open now and will remain open through June 15.
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 Tips, Melissa Thome explains how members can make the most of their WFCA membership with exclusive fuel savings through WEX Fuel Cards.
Baxter, Tenn.—Portobello America introduced Cristallo, a new porcelain collection inspired by luminous quartzite and the movement of light.
Dalton—
Lyndhurst, N.J.—
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Sarasota, Fla.—The Reshoring Initiative, in collaboration with Regions Recruiting, launched