PRESS FOLDER
ZOW BAD SALZUFLEN
FEBRUARY 2010
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
Your contact persons are:
Ulrich Bühler
Head of Sales/Marketing
EGGER Group
Klaus Monhoff
Head of Product Management decorative
EGGER Group
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
EGGER MASTERS A YEAR OF CHALLENGES
In spite of initial difficulties, positive results were achieved in 2009,
with added confidence for 2010
EGGER INVESTS IN DIGITAL PRINTING AT BRILON
PLANT
Virtual Design Studio (VDS) utilises this digital technology and allows
the visualisation of new decors in virtual room sets
CREATING CONTRASTS – HARMONIOUS OR
EMOTIONAL
At ZOW 2010, the wood-based material manufacturer EGGER
presents new decors and a whole host of combination possibilities
INTELLIGENT PRODUCT SOLUTIONS FOR THE
FURNITURE INDUSTRY
Compact laminate, EURODEKOR thin chipboard, thin chipboard
support edging and an expanded acoustics programme represent
EGGER’s new innovations for the furniture industry
For queries:
FRITZ EGGER GmbH & Co.
Wood Based Panels
Christina Werthner
Weiberndorf 20
6380 St. Johann in Tyrol
Austria
P +43 5 0600-10681
F +43 5 0600-90681
christina.werthner@egger.com
www.egger.com
PLEON Publico
Dr. Wolfgang Immerschitt
Paracelsusstraße 4
5020 Salzburg
Austria
P +43 662 620 242-0
F +43 662 620 242-20
w.immerschitt@pleon-publico-sbg.at
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
EGGER MASTERS A YEAR OF CHALLENGES
In spite of initial difficulties, positive results were achieved in 2009,
with added confidence for 2010
The year 2009 presented never-before-seen challenges for the wood-based
material manufacturer EGGER. Falling stock prices and liquidity shortages
faced by banks not only plunged the financial system but the entire economy
into a crisis. Ulrich Bühler, Head of Sales/Marketing EGGER Group, speaking
at the traditional press reception prior to the ZOW in Bad Salzuflen, noted that
this defined business developments. Yet he drew a positive conclusion: “In
spite of difficult economic conditions, we achieved satisfactory results for the
first six months of the current 2009/2010 business year. The markets have
stabilised at a lower level.”
The EGGER Group is pleased to report an overall stable financial position and
strong equity ratio. Some far-reaching measures to reduce costs had to be
implemented because of the crisis. These measures were effective and the
international wood-based material manufacturer based in Austria ultimately
weathered the difficult year of 2009 well. While turnover for the first six months
(reporting date 31st October 2009) at EUR 741 million fell short of the same period
last year (EUR 824 million), profitability is satisfactory thanks to cost reductions and
lower raw material prices. The wood-based material manufacturer reported EBITDA
(earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation) of EUR 127.7 million
for the first six months of the business year, an increase of 27 percent compared to
EUR 100.3 million in the same period last year.
NEW PROJECTS UNDER THE LONG-TERM STRATEGY
This means EGGER can once again focus on the consistent implementation of its
growth strategy. The key projects at this time are:

The approval process for the resin plant in Radauti, which is progressing
well.

An administrative building for the Radauti plant in 2010, to be built almost
entirely from EGGER materials.

A recycling facility for the Barony plant.

The extension of the ContiRoll in Brilon from 38 to 43 m (125 to 141 feet).

Investing in a digital printing line for Brilon is also planned in order to further
expand EGGER’s decor expertise.
EGGER is planning investments totalling approximately EUR 60 million in the
current business year.
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
CURRENT MARKET WEAKNESS OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES
“Our decor and product expertise, our quality and our long-term, stable customer
relationships allow us to gain market share,” explains Ulrich Bühler. Thanks to its
plants distributed across Europe, EGGER is flexible in responding to fluctuating
order volumes. The plants can help each other as needed. For example, this is the
case during the pending conversion shut-down in Brilon so that customers do not
suffer any disadvantages and full delivery capacity is maintained.
The full impact of the crisis on the wood-based material industry is only being
revealed gradually. Excess capacity will certainly be eliminated in Europe and
especially in Germany along with restructuring. “Our advantage is that, in this
situation, we can position ourselves even more effectively as a long-term, reliable
partner for our customers,” Bühler concludes.
OUTLOOK 2010
For 2010, EGGER believes that the worst of the market distortion is now behind us.
However, the markets will remain at a low level for some time. The market outlook is
therefore cautious yet confident overall: “We did our homework in good time. As a
result, we are in a stronger position and filled with optimism as we head into 2010”.
The company will adhere to its long-term strategy and, thanks to its modern plants
and its innovative, comprehensive product range, expects overall developments
during the remainder of the business year to be positive. EGGER is in a secure
position, ready for further growth.
FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY AND THE ENVIRONMENT
Sustainability remains part of the practiced company philosophy in 2010 and
continues to take centre stage.
EGGER obtained a PEFC and FSC group certificate in January 2010. To date, the
EGGER plants were certified individually. Now the company is able to produce FSC
or PEFC-certified products at all EGGER plants – depending on wood availability –
and thereby meet increased demand for certified goods among its customers.
EGGER is currently constructing an administrative building in Radauti which will
consist almost entirely of EGGER materials. All of the products have environmental
product declarations; the company is striving to have the building certified.
EGGER already demonstrated its focus on the environment and sustainability in
2009 – from environmental product declarations to the energy and environmental
project in St. Johann, which has received several awards in the meantime.
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
EGGER RECEIVES AWARDS AS AN ENERGY-EFFICIENT COMPANY
EGGER has received multiple awards for the energy and environmental project at
the St. Johann plant. These include recognition as an “Energy-Efficient Operation”
by the klima:aktiv programme and the Tyrolean Innovation Prize in the services
category.
In keeping with efforts made by EGGER to use wood for material and thermal
applications, waste heat from the drying process is used to generate energy.
EGGER supplies its entire wood-based material production facility in St. Johann and
approximately 435 households in the community with environmentally friendly
energy. This reduces CO2 emissions in the St. Johann valley by 28,000 tonnes per
year.
The environmentally-friendly logistics concept “EGGER – Logistics Systems with
High Ecological Acceptance”, which EGGER has been continuously implementing
since the year 2007, was also recognised by klima:aktiv. EGGER is promoting the
conversion to environmentally-friendly vehicles and alternative drive systems with
renewable energy. One of the most important objectives is to reduce truck traffic by
switching to rail transport. The use of rail transportation was doubled over the last
five years, thereby reducing CO2 emissions by 17.9 million tonnes. As a result, the
company is eliminating the equivalent of 49,120 truck transports per year.
REVIEW – OUTLOOK
 2009: Positive results thanks to
timely cost reduction measures
 2010: Pursuit of higher market share
in stabilised markets
 New investment projects in several plants
 Increased focus on sustainability and the
environment
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
EGGER INVESTS IN DIGITAL PRINTING AT
BRILON PLANT
Virtual Design Studio (VDS) utilises this digital technology and allows
the visualisation of new decors in virtual room sets
As part of ZOW 2010, EGGER is presenting its activities in area of digital
printing to the public for the first time. The wood-based material manufacturer
intends to implement a self-contained digital printing process at the plant in
Brilon (DE): from decor development and visualisation, all the way through to
production.
EGGER commenced initial activities in the field of digital printing at the beginning of
2010. Now these activities will gradually be expanded. The objective of this
investment is to extend the decor range of the EGGER Group for melamine faced
boards, laminates and laminate flooring with digitally created solutions. Plans are in
place for the manufacture of recurring small production orders for the furniture
industry and project-specific custom orders with a minimum quantity of 260 m²
(2,799 square feet) using digital printing. To date, this type of production was not
economically viable using conventional gravure printing lines. “With the help of digital
solutions, we will be able to make our decor and service offerings to our customers
much more individual and interactive in the future,” said Ulrich Bühler, Head of
Sales/Marketing EGGER Group at the ZOW press conference in Bad Salzuflen.
In order to develop know-how in this field, an investment in 2 workstations for the
digital processing of artwork has been made at the Brilon plant. Another key
investment will follow in May 2010. This is when a digital printing line for print base
paper in a width of up to 2070 mm (81.50”) will complete the digital process.
DESIGN STUDIO SUPPORTS VIRTUAL ROOM MODELLING
With the Virtual Design Studio (VDS), EGGER will provide a “pioneering digital
service”. It allows all digitally developed but not yet produced decors to be visualised
in true colour and combined with other new or existing, implemented designs.
In detail: “VDS HD” is a high-resolution programme that can be run on a highdefinition (HD) flat screen. This touch screen technology was developed by EGGER
with a cooperative partner. Various room models can be interactively loaded from a
room library on a 40 inch (102 cm diagonal measurement) screen and highresolution digital print decors can be applied. Zoom mode allows surface textures
such as embossing or matt-gloss effects to be visualised down to the finest detail.
With “VDS live”, EGGER also offers multi-projection visualisation. Decors are
authentically represented one-to-one on a neutral-coloured furniture carcass. This
allows the latest EGGERZUM decor innovations to be presented in a fascinating,
impressively convincing quality using the “Kitchen” and “Office” applications. Decors
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
can be freely combined in keeping with the trade fair motto “Create Contrasts” to
achieve the desired room design.
EGGER will initially equip its showrooms in Brilon and St. Johann with the interactive
visualisation tool following the ZOW. Installations for other plants and showrooms of
the EGGER Group are already being planned.
Based on the existing VDS technology, EGGER also intends to provide its
customers with access to these digital processes. Customers can reap significant
advantages from this vision which is already being implemented:

Development and sampling processes of new developments are accelerated

Participation in decor development becomes possible, leading to more
individual design options

The digitally developed decors can ultimately be presented in virtual rooms
This leads to greater decision-making confidence with lower process costs. Another
advantage: The effect of digitally developed decors can be simulated through the
interplay with corresponding surface textures before actual samples are produced.
DIGITAL PRINTING
 Investments in digital printing at the
Brilon plant
 VDS offers additional customer
advantages: accelerated development
 Self-contained digital printing process process, participation in decor
development, visualisation in virtual
 Virtual Design Studio (VDS) as a
rooms
“pioneering digital service”
 VDS leads to greater decision-making
confidence
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
CREATE CONTRASTS – HARMONIOUS OR EMOTIONAL
At ZOW 2010, the wood-based material manufacturer EGGER
presents new decors and a whole host of combination possibilities
EGGER is picking up on an important trend of contrasting colours this year.
Never before has furniture design been defined by contrasts as much as
today. Following the black and white trend, playing and designing with
contrasting colours and wood reproductions is the order of the day. Here the
colour combinations range from harmonious to emotional.
Next to “Create Contrasts”, last year's motto “Texture meets Colour” still remains
valid. Klaus Monhoff, Head of Product Management decorative EGGER Group: “The
decor textures remain an important foundation for the correct implementation in
furniture design. Even more depth is emphasised in the new textures since more
than touch is becoming important when it comes to surfaces. When used on uni
colours in particular, the new motto is: you have to be able to “feel” surfaces with
your eyes.
UNI COLOURS IN THREE DIFFERENT COLOUR GROUPS
In the coming year, the uni colours at EGGER will be classified into three different
colour groups. The first group incorporates the sensuous, premium colours
presented under the motto “luxurious warmth”. Colours such as Quartz Bronze,
Quartz Saffron and the new Stone Grey dominate. They stand for warmth and
opulence. Natural, elegant hues set the tone in the second colour group, accordingly
presented as “natural elegance”. These include shades of grey with a proportion of
green that tend towards the warmer range of the spectrum, yet simultaneously stand
for elegance in spite of their naturalness. Slate Grey, Quartz Silk and Quartz Forest
are among them. Last but not least, the third group contains the modern, cool tones.
The term “contemporary cool” was selected for this group. Here the influence of
contemporary architecture is readily apparent. This colour group encompasses
Quartz Ice Silver, Quartz Indigo and Graphite Grey. There is no question that uni
colours are ideal when playing with various levels of contrast and will be combined
with each other even more so in the future.
NATURE AS OUR MODEL
Wood reproductions in many interpretations continue to play an important role. The
current developments can be divided into two segments. On the one hand, EGGER
is meeting market requirements by providing continuously adapted and optimised
wood reproductions to its customers. One of the most perfect wood reproductions of
recent years is the Avola Pine decor. Three new colour variations have been added
to this decor, with was extremely successful last year. With the Aragon Oak and
Venetian Cherry decors – each in three colour variations – natural hues are
presented as well as more contemporary glazed colour variations.
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
Tauern Beech, a woodgrain from the past year, is also presented in two tones. The
Vintage Oak, Core Ash and Mali Wenge decors mainly focus on presenting a “new
naturalness”.
On the other hand, two favourites of the EGGER design team - Ironwood and
Ceramic Wood present two reproductions that do not focus on the natural
characteristics of a certain type of wood. Here the overall effect of the decors takes
centre stage. Ironwood emphasises the used look of wood, which can therefore be
imitated in combination with modern materials or uni colours. Ceramic Wood is the
reproduction of a fine linear ceramic look with wood characteristics; alternating
streaks of colour create a lively contrast in this decor.
WORKTOP DECORS FROM RESERVED TO LIVELY
New worktop decors are also being presented. Here the palette ranges from rather
reserved to more lively appearances. Tivoli, a calmer version of a travertine decor
and Avalon, a mineral stone reproduction, fall into the reserved group. The terrazzo
reproduction Bardolino and two different versions of marble reproductions with the
decors Portoro and Lazio, both of which owe their liveliness to the design of the
veins, are among the more lively options.
Among the wood reproductions, the Arlington Oak decor was selected as a
reproduction with an effect reminiscent of wide oak planks that is striking thanks to
knots and other natural features.
NEW TEXTURES
EGGER is presenting new textures for both melamine faced products and worktops
at the ZOW:
 Cottex is a textile texture that, in addition to its natural feel, exhibits matt
gloss characteristics and therefore also creates an interesting effect on uni
colours that can be perceived even from a distance.
 Perfect Pore features a low gloss level with especially deep, irregular oak
pores. On uni colours in particular, Perfect Pore creates the effect of a
painted wood surface. This texture creates the natural feel of solid wood for
wood reproductions.
 Aluline is an even, finely brushed texture that gives any pearlescent decor
the effect of a genuine aluminium surface. It also appears like smoothly
brushed metal on uni colours or decors with polished metal characteristics.
 Argento creates a terrazzo effect on the worktop surface. Similar to small,
joined stones, the texture exhibits good depth and is therefore ideal for stone
reproductions but also on uni colours.
 Ceramic is suitable for worktop decors with a somewhat calmer, more
elegant look. This texture features an irregular but flat substructure covered
in small gloss highlights. This gives Cristalstone the sparkling character of
small crystals.
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
CREATE CONTRASTS
 Contrasts: harmonious to emotional  Wood reproductions: Ironwood and
colour combinations
Ceramic Wood are the favourites of the
EGGER design team
 Touch: all of the new textures exhibit
significantly more depth
 Uni colours: grouped into three
different colour groups
 Worktop decors: from reserved to lively
 Five new textures: Cottex, Perfect Pore,
Aluline, Argento, Ceramic
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
INTELLIGENT
PRODUCT
FURNITURE INDUSTRY
SOLUTIONS
FOR
THE
Compact laminate, EURODEKOR thin chipboard, thin chipboard support
edging and an expanded acoustics programme represent EGGER’s new
innovations for the furniture industry
A complete product system is the EGGER motto. Harmonised selections of
trend-conforming decors and surfaces with the corresponding coreboards are
available for all areas of application. This year EGGER presents new core
products such as compact laminate and EURODEKOR thin chipboard at ZOW
2010 along with innovative accessories such as thin chipboard support
edging. The expanded acoustics programme constitutes another focal point of
the trade fair.
All of the latest EGGER products are also presented in a new brochure. “Products
2009-2010” which shows all coreboards as well as accessories. The individual
products are presented in a clear layout – from raw chipboards to laminated
EURODEKOR boards and laminates to edging solutions. In addition, a table shows
their availability from the 15 EGGER plants.
COMPACT LAMINATE FOR INTERIOR APPLICATIONS
EGGER has been offering compact laminate for the furniture industry since
September 2009. Effective immediately, it is also available in the quality flammex
Euroclass B (low flammability) in accordance with DIN EN 438-4:2005 type CGF
(Compact General-purpose Flame-retardant). EGGER compact laminate flammex
Euroclass B meets the special requirements of DIN EN 13501-1 in case of fire.
According to DIN EN 13501-1:2007, it is classified as follows: reaction to fire B,
smoke development s2, dripping/dropping while burning d0.
The compact laminate generally features a multilayer composition and consists of
melamine faced decorative papers and several core layers impregnated with
phenolic resin. With a thickness range from 5 to 13 mm (0.20 to 0.51”), it is
especially suitable for classic interior applications such as tables, work surfaces and
wall cladding. “Especially in the furniture industry, we see great potential for thin,
easy-care boards with a durable surface,” explains Ulrich Bühler, Head of
Marketing/Sales EGGER Group. The board is available with any decor.
ACOUSTICS PROGRAMME OPENS NEW HORIZONS
EGGER has extended its acoustics programme with a greater variety of decorative
and economical solutions. Even more individual design possibilities are now offered.
In addition to a much larger selection of perforation patterns, which now also include
slotting, all of the decor and material combinations of the EGGER ZOOM collection
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
are available as well. EURODEKOR melamine faced chipboard and MDF with
dimensions of up to 3,500 x 2,070 mm (137.80 x 81.50”) are available as standard.
The ProAcoustic boards feature high sound absorption and can be used as wall and
ceiling solutions or, with a laminated decor on both sides, for furniture construction.
The ProAcoustic light series has now been expanded with furniture boards and back
panels. At the St. Johann forum and in Brilon, interested parties can experience the
sound-absorbing effect of the ProAcoustic boards for themselves. This is where the
“Acoustic Box” is set up. It consists of two individual boxes, one with and the other
without ProAcoustic. This provides an impressive demonstration of the sound
absorption effects of different materials.
DECORATIVE THIN CHIPBOARD FOR THE DOOR INDUSTRY
Especially for the door industry, EGGER has brought a melamine faced
EURODEKOR thin chipboard to market. This board is also suitable for further
processing and may serve as an integrated component of sandwich boards.
EGGER thin chipboard is available in numerous EGGER decors and textures from a
thickness of just 3 mm. Thanks to its scratch resistance, resistance to abrasion and
resistance to chemicals, the surface is considerably more robust than the previously
used films. The core of the product is the EGGER thin chipboard, a lightweight high
density board with a low bark proportion and especially fine and quiet chip structure.
Due to its increased raw density, it conforms to the criteria of the RAL quality control
association for interior doors and meets the special requirements for impact
resistance and mechanical resistance.
THIN CHIPBOARD SUPPORT EDGING FOR LIGHTWEIGHT BOARDS
Thin chipboard support edging is an innovative solution for edging lightweight
boards. It can be used in a range of widths from 10 to 100 mm and is suitable for
problem-free machine processing. “In order to meet the high demands in processing
all kinds of lightweight boards, especially frameless lightweight boards, we had to
come up with a special solution,” says Ulrich Bühler in describing the new product.
The thin chipboard support edging braces the surface layers of the lightweight board
against each other along the edge. Therefore, smooth machine processing can also
be assured for frameless lightweight boards with surface layers of less than 8 mm.
PRESS FOLDER ZOW
BAD SALZUFLEN, FEBRUARY 2010
THE LATEST PRODUCTS
 “Products 2009-2010” brochure
contains all coreboards
 Compact laminate with a multilayer
composition for classic interior
applications, also in a fire-resistant
quality
rear panels and new perforation patterns
 EGGER thin chipboard is available with
all EURODEKOR decors and is mainly
used for doors
 Thin chipboard support edging for edging
EUROLIGHT boards with surface layers
 Expanded acoustics programme with of less than 8mm
ProAcoustic lightweight furniture
boards,