How the Floorward collection reinvents vinyl flooring: innovation for a new generation of floors

After three years of intensive development, Unilin is proud to unveil Floorward: a collection by IVC in which every layer has been reimagined. “Floorward is an entirely new product. From its structure to its allure, everything has been reconsidered. Every single layer features an innovation”, says a proud Product Manager Ingrid Derveaux of Unilin. “Our focus was on quality, design and sustainability”, adds Sustainability Engineer Sarah Van Damme.

Seamless, endless, effortless

Floorward is designed for a new generation of builders and renovators who appreciate a sleek look and hassle-free installation. The collection is best described by three key words: seamless, endless and effortless. “Rolls measuring 4 metres wide and 30 metres long allow the creation of a seamless floor surface without joints. It not only looks sleek, it also makes installation quick and easy”, explains Ingrid. “And you save on costs, especially since Floorward can also be installed without glue.”

New ultra-matt lacquer layer

Advanced ink technologies and an ultra-matt lacquer layer give the designs a luxurious appearance. The collection also introduces two new structures – stone and wood – creating a hyper-realistic look. “We want to reinvent the sheet vinyl experience. Floorward offers a stylish alternative to popular but extremely expensive types of flooring, such as cast floors and marble”, adds Ingrid.

Sustainability in every layer

The glue-free installation not only makes the floor more user-friendly but also contributes to the sustainability of the system. The development of Floorward focused on sustainability, from production through to material selection. “Every layer contributes to a more sustainable end product”, Sarah emphasises. “We use PVC manufactured with green electricity, drastically reducing our CO₂ emissions. And instead of the traditional chalk filler, we’ve opted for a sustainable, recycled bio-filler: eggshell powder sourced from eggshells that would otherwise be discarded during industrial egg processing. Our supplier uses a patented mechanical process to turn it into a high-quality, recycled and biobased alternative to primary calcium carbonate.” In addition, Floorward’s bottom layer is made with 90% recycled material, 10% (according to the Mass Balance principle) of which consists of social plastic– a material made from collected ocean plastic.

A second life thanks to Recover

Unilin’s sustainability ambitions go beyond production alone. Through the Recover recycling programme, Unilin gives customers the opportunity to return used flooring. These floors are then processed into raw materials for new floors, building on a more circular future where waste is reused . “Floorward makes circularity tangible and accessible. We’re taking responsibility for the entire lifecycle of the product”, says Sarah.