User-friendly designer panels conquer the market: This summer introduction of three new sustainable collections

Arpa Industriale has its origins in Italy. Since 1954 the company develops and produces decorative, functional and user-friendly panels of HPL, which find their way to (semi-)public spaces and consumers through various European sales offices. In 1998 Arpa Nederland BV was founded, serving the entire Benelux region from Schiedam. "Arpa design panels are used to finish a very wide range of interior applications," says Country Manager Benelux Rutger de Jong. "From kitchens to bathrooms, furniture, hospitals, hospitality areas and trains. Not surprisingly, because the material lasts a long time, brings color and structure to life and is also very easy to keep clean. Moreover, we place a high priority on sustainability."

Developing against the grain

Sustainability for Arpa Industriale is in the production processes as well as in the products themselves, emphasizes De Jong. "In the development of our products, we focus on more sustainable and natural raw materials on the one hand and on a very long lifespan on the other. We innovate continuously in both areas, going straight against the grain if necessary. Instead of always wanting to produce cheaper and faster, we focus on the added value of our products. Our ambition is to raise both aesthetics, user-friendliness and sustainability to ever higher levels. One of the first examples of this is FENIX, which is the technical and aesthetic answer to two trends in interior design: smart materials and super matte surfaces. FENIX is available in 27 timeless standard colors and is suitable for both vertical and horizontal applications. From furniture front to worktop. A characteristic feature is the closed top layer. Thanks to a patented technology with nanotech, the panels feel homogeneous and silky smooth and fingerprints do not stand a chance. What is also unique is that the panels are completely self-healing and easy to clean. By creating friction and thus heat with a separate sponge, any user scratches disappear like snow in the sun! This combination of properties makes the material very popular with designers and end users alike."

Sustainable and innovative core technology

The FENIX concept has continued to develop in recent years, so that in addition to solid colors and decors, metal NTA can now be used as a top coat, says De Jong. "Moreover, new steps have been taken in sustainability, without sacrificing functionality and appearance. Two years ago, we introduced the BLOOM core technology, in which half of the usual phenolic resin used to impregnate cellulose webs has been replaced by the natural binder Lignin. The BLOOM core technology is used not only in the production of our FENIX program, but also in standard Arpa HPL collections. Thanks to the innovative technology, we save as much as 28% on our water consumption and 38% on our energy requirements. In addition, our ecological footprint shows as much as 20% less CO2 emissions."

New and sustainable collections

Beautiful developments are also on the agenda for 2021. For example, Arpa Industriale is introducing three new and sustainable collections: STOCK, PREMIUM and VIS. "The STOCK collection will be available from July and includes 150 decors, from uni colors to wood decors, stone motifs, metal decors and fantasy decors, available from stock and by panel through our Arpa distributors. This eliminates the need for buyers to worry about things like availability and minimum production runs," De Jong said. "PREMIUM adds another 100 decors, which are available on a project basis. Unique to the VIS collection in particular is the special matte and textured top layer. Thanks to a special technology, wear and rub resistance are at least 20x higher than regular HPL, without sacrificing look and feel. Thanks to the new technology, these designer panels can also proudly bear the label "durable and high-quality."