Article Date: 1st February 2012

Formica Group Launches VIVIX® Exterior Façade Panels At Ecobuild 2012

Formica Sheets - Laminate Sheets - Exterior Panels - Laminate Panels

For the first time in the UK, Formica Group will be introducing the newest addition to its materials portfolio with VIVIX® exterior façade panels. Answering an increase in demand for decorative, lightweight and robust rainscreen cladding, VIVIX is brand new to the UK market and will be on display for visitors to Ecobuild 2012, 20-22nd March on stand S730.

For nearly a century, Formica® brand surfacing solutions have defined the look and performance of modern interiors worldwide. Now, building on years of exterior cladding success in European markets, Formica Group remains on the cutting edge of building envelope art and science with the innovative exterior lightweight rainscreen cladding solution that redefines the landscape of contemporary construction for both new builds and renovations.

VIVIX panels can complement or add interest to office buildings, public, cultural and sports facilities, transportation centres, industrial buildings, educational facilities, residential developments and more. VIVIX can also be used for exterior applications such as balconies, soffits, decorative screening and fencing or to accentuate the entrance way of a building.

"As an organisation we felt that EcoBuild was the right environment to officially launch VIVIX panels into the UK market," comments Simon Wild, European Marketing Director, Formica Group. "VIVIX panels can contribute to a building’s thermal efficiency as well as allow the architect or specifier to take into consideration appearance, design, maintenance and cost efficiencies when choosing exterior cladding. When installed as part of a lightweight ventilated façade system the panels act as a defence against water penetration and helps prevent the adverse effects of moisture on a building’s finish and structural components."

VIVIX solid phenolic, engineered exterior façade panels have a decorative surface on both sides. Robust and resilient, these homogeneous panels are manufactured using tough thermosetting resins reinforced with cellulose fibre for added strength and durability.

VIVIX panels incorporate Formica Group's commitment to sustainable principles and practices. Manufactured in the United Kingdom to ISO 9001 standards, VIVIX panels cause minimal environmental impact as determined by Formica Group's Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). All of Formica Group’s European manufacturing sites and distribution centres have achieved the internationally-recognised Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Chain of Custody (COC) certification from leading accreditation body, BM TRADA. This ensures that materials used in the production of Formica® High Pressure Laminate (HPL) and wood-based bonded items are from sustainably managed sources.

The Formica Group stand is as innovative as the product itself, showcasing the opportunities VIVIX panels can offer, the variety of environments they can be used in and also the array of colours, woods and patterns available. The concept behind the design is based on creating ‘building blocks’ that interlink and adding a sense of scale and perspective is a line drawing of a clad façade on the rear wall. A base colour of Navy Blue was chosen, providing a suitable backdrop to the stand and helping other feature samples to stand out.

Three display units in Smoky Brown Pear will demonstrate different fixing systems that can be used with panels from the VIVIX range (including concealed fixing and simple timber battens). At the stand visitors will also be able to find a collection of case studies, samples of the full range of 43 decors and also photography that shows various applications of the product.

A display unit and a Collection Book display area also showcase Formica Group’s interior products; from Vintage Wood with its endless look without repetition, through textures and patterns such as MicroDot™ and Dogbone in Otter to bright and bold colours such as Carnaval and Vibrant Green. Formica Group is also introducing Plex and Korten, new additions to the DecoMetal® range.

Since its launch in 2005, Ecobuild has almost doubled in size every year to become the biggest event in the world for sustainable design, construction and the built environment.

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