Unilin Technologies

What Unilin Technologies does

Unilin Technologies is the intellectual property and technology licensing division of Unilin, headquartered in Waregem, Belgium. Founded as part of Unilin in the 1960s and brought into Mohawk Industries' portfolio via the 2005 acquisition of the Unilin Group, the company develops and licenses patented technologies to manufacturers in flooring, panels, ceramics, and furniture. Its portfolio of close to 4,500 patents spanning more than 550 patent families centers on locking systems (Uniclic, Unidrop, Unifit, Unipush, Unizip, Squareclic), core materials (Light-SPC, P-SPC, Comfort Core, Hybrid Core), waterproofing (Unicoat, a PFAS-free edge coating), digital printing (Direct to Board and Roll to Roll), sustainable recycling (Osiris fiberboard recovery), and flooring accessories (stairnoses, baseboards, profiles). The company does not manufacture products; it monetizes its IP via licensing fees and royalties.

The business operates as a pure B2B licensor, earning revenue from manufacturers that integrate Unilin's technologies into their own production lines and product portfolios. Licensees include Swiss Krono Group, Finsa, Milat Floor, NEO Floor, Jiangsu BBL, Zhejiang Tianzhen, Wuxi Boda, Zhejiang Jiashiyebao, and Unispec (its first Egyptian licensee), supported by a regional sales structure covering Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Go-to-market combines a partnership program, direct B2B outreach, and trade show presence at Domotex, TISE, Interzum, BAU, Ligna Hannover, and Domotex Asia/CHINAFLOOR. The company's licensing model is reinforced by an ecosystem of equipment and material partners (Dieffenbacher, Schiele Maschinenbau, Barberán, AGFA, PTS, KONO, Centexbel, IOBAC) that supply machinery, inks, and coatings aligned to Unilin's specifications, plus a License to Click (L2C) label program that helps identify licensed products in the market. Unilin Technologies has an active and successful patent enforcement track record, including a 2019 ITC General Exclusion Order against Vilox, a March 2026 jury verdict finding willful infringement and awarding damages, and patent validity confirmed by the Supreme People's Court of China.

Name

Unilin Technologies

Legal name

Unilin Technologies

Website

https://unilintechnologies.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1960

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Unilin Technologies licenses patented flooring, panel, ceramic, and furniture technologies — including locking systems, core materials, waterproof coatings, and digital printing — to manufacturers worldwide, backed by roughly 4,500 patents and operating as the IP division of Unilin, a Mohawk Industries subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Flooring Technology Licensing

NAICS

Lessors of Nonfinancial Intangible Assets (except Copyrighted Works) (533)

SIC

Patent Owners & Lessors (6794)

akta.pro primary industry

IP Compliance, Anti-Counterfeiting & Enforcement (BPAHAMAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Resilient Floor Coverings Manufacturing (Vinyl/LVT/Linoleum/Rubber/Cork) (IMAOAJAH)

Keywords

• Flooring technology licensing
• Intellectual property licensing
• Locking systems patents
• Waterproof flooring technology
• Digital printing flooring

Headquarters

HQ city

Waregem

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Others

Revenue model

1. Technology Licensing: Unilin Technologies commercializes intellectual property rights by granting licenses to manufacturers in the flooring, panels, ceramics, and furniture industries. Licensees gain access to patented technologies, manufacturing know-how, and ongoing support. Revenue is generated through licensing fees and royalties based on production volumes.
2. Partnership Program: Helps companies commercialize their own ideas and innovations through Unilin's global licensing network. Partners benefit from patent protection, commercialization support, and access to global sales and marketing team.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Unilin Technologies is the IP and technology licensing division of Unilin that develops patented flooring technologies—including locking systems, core materials, waterproof coatings, digital printing, and sustainable manufacturing processes—and licenses them to flooring manufacturers worldwide in exchange for royalties. The division holds close to 4,500 patents across more than 550 patent families and operates from its headquarters in Waregem, Belgium.

Product overview

Unilin Technologies is an intellectual property and licensing company that develops and licenses flooring technologies to manufacturers worldwide. The portfolio centers on locking systems (Uniclic, Unidrop, Unifit, Unipush, Unizip, Squareclic), design technologies (Digital Printing Direct to Board, Digital Printing Roll to Roll, bevel technologies, surface technologies), core technologies (Light-SPC, P-SPC, Comfort Core), and waterproof technologies (Unicoat). Supporting technologies include sustainable solutions (Osiris fiber recycling) and flooring accessories (stairnoses, baseboards, profiles). The company licenses these patented technologies to flooring, panels, ceramics, and furniture manufacturers across laminate, SPC, wood, ceramic, and panel applications. Unilin Technologies holds close to 4500 patents spanning over 550 patent families and operates as the IP division of Unilin, which is owned by Mohawk Industries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Uniclic: Pioneering click locking system for easy flooring installation
• Unicoat
• Unidrop
• Unifit
• Unipush
• Unizip
• Unigrout
• Squareclic
• P-SPC
• Light-SPC
• Comfort Core
• Osiris
• Flintile
• ClickControl
• L2C (License to Click)

Products and services

• Locking Systems Technology (Uniclic)

Quantifiable outcome

• Light-SPC is up to 30% lighter than traditional SPC
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature12 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PTScoreTechnology or IntegrationPTS is a leading lacquer and coating producer. Unilin Technologies works with PTS on Unicoat, their PFAS-free water repellent edge-coating for wood-based flooring, and on Unigrout, a DIY-friendly SPC flooring with ceramic look featuring cement-look lacquer developed with PTS.
• Schiele MaschinenbaucoreTechnology or IntegrationSchiele Maschinenbau is the official equipment partner for Unicoat, supplying specialized machinery and integration support for seamless implementation in flooring production lines.
• DieffenbachercoreTechnology or IntegrationDieffenbacher is a leading supplier of machinery and complete production systems for the wood-based panel industry. As equipment partner for Osiris, they provide advanced machinery for large-scale recycling of waste wood fibers. Under cooperation agreement, Dieffenbacher is the preferred partner for offering Osiris machine and equipment technology globally.
• BarberáncoreTechnology or IntegrationBarbéran is a global leader in industrial digital printing machinery for direct-to-board applications. As equipment provider in Digital Printing - Direct to Board solution, they bring state-of-the-art hardware complementing Unilin Technologies' patented printing know-how.
• AGFAcoreTechnology or IntegrationAGFA is a renowned global supplier of high-performance UV inks for industrial printing applications. As ink partner for Digital Printing - Roll to Roll technology, AGFA provides advanced, durable ink solutions ensuring vibrant, consistent, and long-lasting results.
• CentexbelcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCentexbel is a pioneer in biobased polymer research with over two decades of experience. Unilin has secured exclusive worldwide licensing rights for Centexbel's patent family on bio-based and biodegradable coatings, inks, and adhesive technologies using PLA and PHA biopolymers.
• i4fcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNon-assert agreement on Unilin's water repellent coating patents. Both companies offer different coating technologies for enhancing water repellent performance. The agreement allows i4f to offer licensees additional protection on Unilin's pioneering patent portfolio.
• i4FcoreTechnology or IntegrationUnilin entered into agreement with i4F relating to the use of US 'SPC' trademark. Unilin obtained non-revocable rights on the 'SPC' trademark, resolving trademark issues and ensuring freedom to operate for licensees in the US market.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• i4F: Belgian/Netherlands-based IP licensing company for flooring technologies. Direct competitor licensing click systems, waterproof coatings, and digital printing IP to global flooring manufacturers; has non-assert and trademark agreements with Unilin on key patents.
• Classen: German laminate flooring manufacturer that developed and licenses its own Megaloc click system. Competes with Unilin at the locking-system IP level in laminate flooring.
• Välinge Innovation: Swedish IP licensor best known for its 5G fold-down click system and Woodura surface technology. Direct competitor to Unilin's Uniclic/Unidrop in locking-system IP licensing for laminate, wood, and resilient flooring.

Broad incumbents

• Tarkett: French-headquartered global flooring manufacturer with broad portfolios in vinyl, laminate, wood, and sports surfaces. Develops and licenses its own flooring technologies and competes for both end-customer share and IP licensing positioning.
• Gerflor: French global specialist in resilient vinyl flooring and sports surfaces. Develops proprietary surface and installation technologies and competes with Unilin-licensed manufacturers in commercial and residential resilient segments.
• Shaw Industries: US-based flooring subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway and one of the largest carpet and resilient flooring producers. Operates proprietary flooring technologies and is a major customer/competitor in the same licensing ecosystem as Unilin.
• Armstrong Flooring: Established US flooring manufacturer with long-standing portfolios in resilient and hardwood flooring and a history of in-house technology development. Broad incumbent competing across Unilin's end markets.
• Mohawk Industries: Parent company of Unilin and the world's largest flooring company, with ~$10B revenue and 43,000+ employees. Operates proprietary technologies (e.g., through Quick-Step, Pergo) and is both the anchor's parent and a broad incumbent in the same end markets.
• Mannington Mills: US-based, family-owned flooring manufacturer producing resilient, laminate, hardwood, and commercial flooring. Maintains proprietary technologies and competes directly with Unilin-licensed products in North America.

Emerging players

• CFL Flooring: Asia-headquartered SPC and rigid core flooring innovator with its own proprietary locking systems and finishes. Emerging competitor that overlaps with Unilin's SPC technology footprint and competes for global OEM customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC9kBf7M9NVJ9Om9vL0pyWyQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnilinTechnologiesVietnam
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unilin-division-technologies

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unilin Technologies