World first: ceraclic original from Witex

A new kind of product revolutionises the flooring range

Before its official market launch at the Domotex, Witex presented the revolutionary new development, ceraclic, to a select group of architects, premium partners and media representatives. It features a mineral core, special click-joint and highly wear resistant surface.
From the moment the sample panels passed inspection, it was clear that with its unique combination of materials, all of which have many years of reliable service behind them, and its range of potential applications, the product was a hit.
ceraclic original's versatility and effortless fitting are sure to offer dealers, craftsmen and architects a future full of new opportunities and niches for innovation in floor covering. In Hanover Witex is showing the first collection in natural stone effect and is officially launching ceraclic original as a new kind of floor covering.

ceraclic original product structure
ceraclic original is a unique and completely new breed of product which is destined to revolutionise the market. The flooring panels consist of a 2mm footfall noise insulation layer (Sound-Protect Acousticsystem), a highly compacted 12mm mineral core board, and an impact and abrasion resistant decorative X-Protect surface layer. Footfall noise attenuation is about 18dB and weight approximately 22kg per square metre. The mineral core material manufactured by Knauf Integral KG gives certified benefits in terms of building ecology and physical properties such as comfort and noise and fire protection. The extreme compaction of the material gives unusually good static load test values.
The surface layer made by the coatings pioneer Resopal is highly wear and moisture-resistant and offers virtually unlimited scope for diversity of design. Combined together into panels 400 x 600 x 15.2mm for effortless fitting, ceraclic is unique in the flooring market and bears no comparison with existing floor covering products.

Features of the mineral core board
ceraclic original's mineral core board is a 100% natural product which simultaneously controls humidity, is free of emissions and can be recycled. Footfall noise is reduced thanks to its high density, which also gives the non-combustible core board (Class A-1) outstanding dimensional stability. It exhibits low swelling and shrinkage (dimensional variation less than 1% after 24 hours). In spite of its high mechanical loading capacity (extreme point pressure loading), the mineral core is easy to work at (by sawing, drilling or routing) and its thermal conductivity makes it ideal for underfloor heating.

Surface features
The surface of ceraclic original (X-Protect surface) consists of a 1.2mm layer (special overlay, pattern paper and several layers of craft paper) which is impact-resistant and extremely hard wearing, giving it a performance classification of 33. The visual and tactile properties of the natural stone effects make it difficult to distinguish from the natural material, but by contrast with stone it is anti-slippery, shatterproof and warm on the feet. All-round chamfered edges give joints in the robust surface a natural appearance.

The collection in detail
ceraclic original flooring panels are 15.2mm thick and currently available only in attractive natural stone effects. Nine finishes will be available ex-stock from March 2006 on, namely Nubian Sandstone, Travertine, Marble Sienna, Slate Limousin, Chill Terrage, Black Slate, Pale Concrete, Vesuvio and Algarve. In addition, special production orders for nine further finishes will be taken by Witex to help realise less conventional design schemes. These are Granito Boticello, Stone Rose, Branco Macaubas, Grey Tempest, Dark Concrete, Ivory, Illusion, Azul Plationo and Tagus Slate.
Joint design: ceraclic original is available with two different joint configurations. The “structure” version is a genuine joint, formed traditionally on site whereas the “style” version is a decorative joint integrated into the panel during manufacture.

Time and cost benefit for planners, dealers and the trade
Simple installation of the practical panel format with its special click-joint reduces handling effort for dealers and the trade leading to huge time and cost savings compared with traditional ceramic and stone floors.
ceraclic original floor panels are factory-fitted with footfall noise insulation. The core board's homogeneous density allows the material to be worked effortlessly during fitting - cutting to shape, sawing or drilling are all possible using standard tools. The Super Absorber high-tech joint seals hermetically on contact with water; with the factory joint (style version) the floor is ready for immediate use. In the case of the “structure” version, whose joints are made on site, a short drying period is required for the custom-developed jointing material. Partial renovation or repair of the fitted surface is possible with the factory-formed joint - individual panels can be exchanged without a problem. Before installing ceraclic original, no special subgrade preparation is necessary. A normal floor screed as used for any floating installation is sufficient for the subgrade.

Fields of application
ceraclic original is destined for use in both the domestic and the commercial property markets. For commercial contracts it's a time-saving option in all areas where tiles or natural stone would normally be used because no time is needed for mortar and adhesive curing.
In the domestic sector it represents an economical alternative to natural stone floors in marble, granite or similar materials. ceraclic original is also suitable for wet rooms, so it will find applications throughout the domestic sector. Because of the ease of fitting (and removal in the case of ceraclic “style” versions) ceraclic is also suitable for use in trade fair and shopfitting applications.

With ceraclic original, Witex has brought a unique high-quality product to market, with the potential to supply new market segments and fill new niches. New segments include the natural stone/tile sector in particular. With its innovative product features and advantages vis-à-vis existing floor coverings, ceraclic original is sure to revolutionise the market for flooring and to find immediate support among floor fitters, architects and interior designers.

Contact:
Witex International Flooring GmbH
Marketing and PR Department
Nord-West-Ring 21
32832 Augustdorf
Tel: +49 (0)5237 / 609 -0
Fax:+49 (0)5237 / 609 -180
E-mail: pr@witex.com
Internet: www.witex .com