SWISS KRONO introduces COREPEL: The ultimate waterproof material system. SWISS KRONO is positioning COREPEL as a versatile performance material system designed to address demanding applications where conventional wood-based materials can struggle with water, moisture and everyday wear. Combining Swiss XDF and SPC technologies, the COREPEL portfolio brings waterproof performance to interior panels, outdoor applications and flooring. The system is built around three product categories - COREPEL INTERIOR, COREPEL PURE and COREPEL FLOORS - each engineered for a specific environment while sharing a common focus on durability, water resistance and design flexibility. Together, the three solutions extend the possibilities of wood-based materials across residential, commercial, hospitality, wellness and outdoor applications. COREPEL INTERIOR: Waterproof performance for demanding interiors COREPEL INTERIOR combines melamine-coated wood panels with Swiss XDF technology to create decorative surfaces designed for humid and high-use environments. According to SWISS KRONO, the panels offer strong resistance to water, scratches and impacts while remaining easy to clean and maintain. The solution is suitable for applications including shower and toilet partitions, changing rooms, lockers, swimming pools, fitness facilities, wellness areas, schools and public buildings. Its decorative surface allows designers to combine practical performance with a wide range of interior aesthetics. COREPEL INTERIOR is available in thicknesses from 9.8 to 18.8 mm, has a reported density of 1,180 kg/m[3] and is PVC-free. Its formaldehyde emission classification is E1, with emissions of <=0.05 ppm. COREPEL PURE: Swiss XDF technology for demanding outdoor applications For applications exposed to weather, COREPEL PURE extends Swiss XDF technology into areas where moisture resistance and dimensional stability are essential. The MDF.H-based material is designed for high moisture exposure and can be used in applications ranging from outdoor components to wet-room partitions, poolside seating, spa wall cladding and wellness furniture. COREPEL's technical information states that the material achieves biological use classes 1-4 and has thickness swelling of less than 1.5% after 24 hours in water. COREPEL PURE is also PVC-free and contains more than 60% wood, according to SWISS KRONO's current product communication. The company reports warranty periods of up to 50 years for biological use classes 1-3, while Class 4 applications carry a 25-year warranty. This combination makes COREPEL PURE particularly relevant for projects where designers want the appearance and workability of a wood-based material without compromising performance under demanding moisture conditions. COREPEL FLOORS: SPC technology with waterproof performance The third part of the system is COREPEL FLOORS, which uses SPC technology to provide a resilient flooring solution for areas exposed to daily traffic and moisture. SWISS KRONO describes COREPEL SPC flooring as 100% waterproof, with applications ranging from residential kitchens and bathrooms to hotels, gyms, commercial spaces and wellness facilities. The flooring has Use Class 33 and R9 slip resistance, making it suitable for demanding interior environments. The current product information also highlights a 5+1 mm construction, abrasion resistance of >=5,000 revolutions and a phthalate-free formulation. COREPEL flooring is designed to provide dimensional stability and resistance to everyday wear while maintaining the visual appeal associated with wood-based flooring. The product system is also designed with practical installation and maintenance in mind. COREPEL's flooring portfolio is suitable for underfloor heating, while its care guidance recommends straightforward cleaning with appropriate hard-surface cleaning methods. One system, multiple applications COREPEL reflects SWISS KRONO's approach to developing wood-based materials for environments where conventional solutions can face limitations from moisture, impact or intensive use. Rather than positioning waterproof performance as a single-purpose solution, the COREPEL system applies different technologies to three distinct product worlds. COREPEL INTERIOR targets decorative wet and humid interior spaces, COREPEL PURE addresses demanding moisture and outdoor applications, while COREPEL FLOORS provides a waterproof flooring solution for high-traffic environments. The result is a portfolio that gives architects, interior designers, manufacturers and contractors greater flexibility when specifying materials for projects where aesthetics and performance must work together. With its combination of wood content, engineered performance and decorative possibilities, COREPEL demonstrates how advanced wood-based technology can be adapted to applications traditionally dominated by alternative materials. SWISS KRONO is presenting COREPEL as a solution for projects where water resistance is not simply an added benefit but a fundamental performance requirement - from bathrooms and wellness facilities to outdoor environments, hospitality spaces and high-use flooring applications. Get such more product updates from: Hot Product

NSP Panels: Opportunities beyond the floor. July 14, 2026 They might not be a household name - at least not yet - but NSP Panels is certainly laying the groundwork to establish a foothold in the burgeoning wall paneling market in the U.S. Via its newly minted U.S. headquarters and manufacturing facility located in Mullins, S.C., NSP Panels specializes in wall paneling (both acoustic and non-acoustic) for residential and commercial applications alike. Panel materials range from solid wood - including heat-treated solid wood panels for exterior applications - MDF as well as aluminum slats for use in highmoisture areas. Products run the gamut from 10mm to 19mm in total thickness, and the company also offers digital printing capabilities via its partner in Austria, FN. Travis Bass, 45-year flooring industry veteran whose experience includes long stretches with Swiss Krono and Georgia Pacific, un-retired two years ago and was brought in as sales consultant to the start-up. Franz Neuhofer, Marco Seitner and David Pritchard are partners in the venture. "It's fun to be in on something again on the front end and watch it go from a concept to reality," Bass told FCNews. "I certainly had no idea when I retired from Swiss Krono that I'd be doing this again, but I'm very thankful for the opportunity. These guys know what they're doing, and they're not afraid to invest where there's an opportunity." In fact, Bass first came to know Neuhofer, Seitner and Pritchard (whose initials combine to form "NSP" in NSP Panels) via industry trade shows as well as his business dealings with the trio as an executive with Swiss Krono. "We've been friends for 25 years, so I know them very well," Bass said. "When they decided to bring this product to the U.S. and start it up, they called me and said, 'Would you go to work for us?' We hammered out a consulting deal, and that's worked out great. They're good people to work with." The strength of those relationships, according to Bass, is what helped NSP Panels get off to a fast, seamless start. Apart from helping scout out a site for the 140,000-square-foot manufacturing facility, Bass was tapped to leverage his vast industry experience to gain access to dealers and explore different avenues to market. This included developing relationships with high-volume retailers as well as attending trade shows and conferences to gauge interest for the product. Bass reported particularly strong interest at industry events such as Surfaces and the International Builders Show (IBS). NSP Panels is also actively seeking to develop private-label programs with potential distribution partners. "Some distributors have been hesitant to pull the trigger because it's an unknown," Bass stated. "It's a new product for them and it's quite an investment for a distributor to take on. However, we get a lot of positive feedback from the distributor's customers. They really like the product. They see it as a fit in flooring because it doesn't require a display. Because the product is designed to mount on the wall, it's an easy product to showcase." With panels measuring 2 x 8, it's also a very easy product to install, according to Bass. That makes it ideal for the DIY market. "Using just six black drywall screws, three on each side of the panel, you can go right in through the felt padding between the slats," he explained. "The panels only weigh 13 to 15 pounds depending on the size you get, so you can screw it right into drywall. You don't need to hit a stud. It's easier than painting." Moreover, end users can get creative in how the panels are installed. "I've seen some installations where they do an entire wall, especially if you want more noise reduction," Bass explained. "Then you have some people who use the panels as a headboard behind their bed. You can outline it with molding to make it like a picture frame. I've even seen the product on the ceiling!" The product is also suitable for commercial applications - especially when you consider the possibilities available with custom digital printing capabilities. "If you think about hotel or hospitality spaces, there are all kinds of commercial uses with this product," Bass said. "There's a lot of untapped opportunity here." Beyond the obvious decorative applications, NSP Panels also provide add-on profit opportunities for specialty retailers. Bass estimates retailers can easily sell an average 2 x 8 panel for somewhere between $100 and $125 each. When you consider the average job entails at least seven panels, it adds up quickly. Orders could go even higher depending on the allotted wall space. "Some people do an entire room or entire level of a house, which shoots up the ticket big time," Bass said. Blue skies ahead. Given the many applications for the product - combined with only a handful of players in the wall paneling arena - NSP Panels said the potential for success is seemingly unlimited. "We have plenty of room to grow our capacity and [a strong] appetite for investment for products like this as well as related products that FN makes in Europe," Bass said. "I think we have a lot of blue skies ahead." In the meantime, NSP Panels is looking to continue to build on both its product development and overall manufacturing capacity, with the goal of producing a million panels per year. "Once we begin to expand our footprint here, we will be flexible with the sizes and colors we offer," Bass said. "We are finding out some of those things as we gain more experience. But we'll certainly have the ability to adapt if the right opportunity comes along here in the U.S. market."