Abig innovation in the panel products sector for 2012 is the emergence of compact density fibreboard (CDF) from the KronoSwiss Group because it opens up new market opportunities for furniture applications. It combines first class performance at a more competitive price point and is an ideal product for heavy-duty furniture, laboratories and prisons.
CDF is the next generation of traditional MDF where, during the manufacturing process, the fibres are mixed with resins and compressed to a far higher level, producing a much denser board. The product first appeared tentatively on the market about 12 months ago but was met with a lukewarm reception.
But not so the latest development. Customer trials have resulted in a resoundingly positive thumbs-up. And working in step with buying patterns, the new CDF is available in both melamine or pre-laminated finishes in a choice of no fewer than 300 decors with a minimum order quantity of just 10 panels. This is a major step-change for the industry, opening up unprecedented design flexibility for furniture manufacturers in a wide range of projects.
CDF is genuine innovation from a manufacturer who is smartly reading the market trends for cost engineering and using manufacturing expertise to push out the product boundaries. Manufacturing the finished product in a single process drives cost down, while also guaranteeing a high performance panel that’s entirely fit for purpose.
Cost engineering is now the norm in the panel products sector, with all manufacturers offering the flexibility to mix and match materials, board types and thicknesses to produce the most competitive solution. Customers report that the Formica-Unilin Collection is the go-to brand here.
In design terms the market hasn’t changed much in the last 12 months. Pastels and contemporary neutral colours continue to be the order of the day for interior furniture, as they combine so well with woodgrains while offering long-lasting looks. The only exception to this rule is furniture for schools where the bright Lego colours of red, blue, yellow and green are still specified to stimulate children.
Oak retains top spot
Oak is hard to knock off its top spot as the species of choice, but we are beginning to see the old favourites of beech and elm getting a style update using high-definition print and texture technology.
Texture continues as the big design story and it comes in many forms, including deep embossing, linear lines and the ‘chattering’ of a saw for a rough cut look. All are aimed at making woodgrains so realistic that they are hard to tell apart from the real thing.
All manufacturers are heavily showcasing textures in their collections and, given the extensive investment in creating them, this signals that texture will be a strong interior design theme for many years to come.
That said, high gloss finish remains a consistent top seller, especially in the bathroom market where fitted furniture is a major growth area for panel products. But here again product development is kicking it on to another level where the gloss surface has the appearance of a mirror or highly polished glass, with greater lustre and depth.
Precious metals are also emerging on the design scene. Where once there was brushed stainless steel or aluminium to choose from, now we see gold, copper and bronze too. These fit with the theme of natural luxury, offering the touch of glamour and opulence without being too bling.
Pearlescence is a major design trend in kitchen work surfaces, as well as other areas of the home and this domestic trend is also filtering across into commercial applications.
