CLASSEN Magazine 2024 (EN)

MAGAZINE 

INNOVATIONS, DESIGN & MORE 

2024

INNOVATIONEN, DESIGN & MEHR 

INNOVATIONS, 

DESIGN & MORE 



PREFACE 

Dear readers, 

An eventful year has passed, characterised 

by a multitude of challenges, which we have 

mastered with determination and solidarity. 

But it was also a year full of successes and 

ground-breaking innovations that have driven 

our company forward on its steady path. 

In this magazine, we would like to give you a 

comprehensive insight into the highlights of the 

past months and at the same time offer you an 

exciting outlook on what awaits us in 2024. 

The global economic situation was extremely 

challenging last year. We would like to take 

this opportunity to say “thank you” to our 

valued customers and partners who have 

mastered together with the CLASSEN Group the 

challenges of this tough economic year. Their 

loyalty and cooperation have made a significant 

contribution to our ability to emerge stronger 

from this phase. 

Apart from the many different situations we 

have also experienced numerous successes 

which emphasise our innovative strength and 

commitment. 

We have been able to make significant progress, 

ranging from pioneering projects to successful 

partnerships that have significantly driven our 

development. These successes reflect the result 

of the continuous efforts and dedication of every 

single member of our team. 

04


We are now looking forward to the year 2024, 

which is already off to a promising start. The 

renovation of our showroom in Kaisersesch 

is imminent and we are doing everything to 

obtain new certificates for our products. We are 

looking forward to presenting exciting product 

developments and to welcome new, talented 

team members. 

Overall, we are confident about the new year. 

With you, our valued employees, customers and 

partners, we look forward to shaping the future 

together. 

We hope you enjoy reading, 

The management of the CLASSEN Group 

05


00 

CONTENT 

06


01 

LATEST 

NEWS 

from p. 08 

02 

INNOVATIONS 

FOR 2024 

03 

NEW 

CERTIFICATES 

from p. 30 from p. 38 

04 05 

NEW 

ASSORTMENTS 

EVENTS 

2024 

from p. 40 from p. 60 

06 

PREVIEW 

2024 

from p. 70 

07


01 

LATEST 

NEWS 

08


Internal company transformation with ups 

and downs 

The ongoing transformation of our company 

has brought both ups and downs. We have 

taken bold steps to optimise our processes and 

adapt to the constantly changing requirements 

of the market.In doing so, we are aware that 

change is not always easy, and we appreciate the 

commitment and flexibility of our team. 

INTRODUCTION 

In the following you will get a detailed insight 

into the highlights of the past year at CLASSEN. 

Focus on innovation: new products 

The past year was characterised by innovation 

and product development. With pride we can 

announce that we have successfully launched 

numerous new products successfully on the 

market. Particularly noteworthy is the first 

CERAMIN dryback flooring and the introduction 

of AA herringbone laminate flooring. These 

milestones are the result of intensive research 

and development, which offers our customers an 

even wider range of high-quality floor coverings. 

Environmental protection as corporate 

responsibility 

A central aspect of our corporate philosophy is 

the awareness of our responsibility towards the 

environment. In the past year, we have taken 

significant steps to minimise our ecological 

footprint. The commissioning of our PV-system 

in Kaisersesch is an outstanding example of 

this. This system now supplies our site with 

environmentally friendly electricity and is a 

further step in the direction of sustainable 

company management. 

Detailed information about all news can be 

found on the following pages. 

Brilliant appearances at trade fairs 

Despite the adverse circumstances, we have 

participated in some outstanding trade fairs, 

including the BAU in Munich. These events 

were not only opportunities to present our 

latest products, but also platforms for personal 

dialogue. We would like to thank everyone who 

visited our stands, for the interesting discussions 

and the positive feedback. 

09


FOUNDATION OF THE 

SUSTAINABILITY DEPARTMENT 

CLASSEN GROUP SETS AN EXAMPLE 

FOR THE FUTURE 

In connection with the Green Deal of the EU, 

companies will be confronted with new and 

far-reaching rules, requirements and reporting 

obligations at national and European level, which 

has prompted the CLASSEN Group to set up a 

permanent internal organisational unit for this 

topic. 

In future, the new sustainability department 

will bundle, support and document all existing 

sustainability activities of the CLASSEN Group. 

The new department is also responsible for 

ensuring that the current situation is not only 

documented, but also analysed. In this way, 

specific goals that are to be achieved next and 

the key performance indicators which these 

targets can be measured, such as CO2 emissions, 

energy and water consumption, can be optimally 

defined. 

The department's projects include: 

• the expansion of the sustainability strategy to 

the entire company 

• the implementation of a reporting and 

KPI system that is intended to fulfill the 

ESRS (European Sustainability Reporting 

Standards) in a more targeted manner 

• the development of an internal training 

system under the motto “Colleagues learn 

from colleagues” 

• the implementation of the LkSG (law on 

corporate due diligence to prevent human 

rights violations in supply chains). In this 

context, software was introduced to support 

CLASSEN with risk management along the 

value chain. 

10


To the Whistleblower 

software 

The aim of the sustainability department will 

not only be to respond to the growing demand 

for environmentally friendly products, but also 

to emphasize the company's philosophy of 

sustainability, which has grown over generations. 

"We are firmly convinced that sustainability is 

not only an obligation but also an opportunity 

for innovation and growth. With our new 

sustainability department, we want to not only 

minimise our environmental footprint but also to 

conduct our business with ethical principles and 

bring a positive change in society. 

- Sebastian Wendel, Head of the Sustainability 

Department 

Julie Quervel, Sustainability Officer, with Sebastian Wendel, Head of the 

Sustainability Department 

11


CLASSEN AND NATURWIND 

COOPERATE ON WIND FARM PROJECT 

PROMOTION OF THE REGIONAL 

ENERGY SUPPLY 

The wind farm, which is being built in 

cooperation with "naturwind", is an important 

step towards an environmentally friendly 

energy supply in the Brandenburg region. With 

up to 32 wind turbines, naturwind intends to 

use electricity production regionally to supply 

industry and the population in Baruth. The 

electricity generated is to remain 100 percent in 

the region in order to reduce dependence on 

fossil fuels. 

As a partner in the wind farm project, the 

CLASSEN Group can use the energy generated 

to supply the production site in Baruth. There are 

also plans to expand the photovoltaic systems 

in order to further increase the production of 

renewable energy. The aim is to cover 65 to 75 

per cent of the electricity Baruth from renewable 

sources. 

The project also benefits from the waste heat 

from CLASSEN's production, which can be used 

to supply the neighboring towns of Baruth and 

Mückendorf with green heat in the future. By 

installing a heat pump powered by electricity 

from the wind farm, the waste heat is raised to 

the required temperature level and distributed 

via a local heating network. naturwind is a 

leading company in the renewable energy sector 

dedicated to the the development, planning and 

operation of wind farms. 

To the project website 

"As a company that is committed to 

sustainability and environmental protection, 

we are delighted about the partnership with 

naturwind and the opportunity to work together 

on this pioneering project for the regional energy 

supply. The planned wind farm will not only 

supply clean energy, but also innovative 

solutions for the utilisation of waste heat and 

green hydrogen offer." 

- André Hennig, 

Managing Director of Fiberboard GmbH 

With a strong focus on innovation and 

sustainability, naturwind is working to create a 

clean and reliable energy supply for the future. 

The company focuses on customised solutions 

to meet the needs of local communities and 

to make a positive contribution to the energy 

transition. 

12


Quelle Illustration: baruth-energie.de 

13


BROAD ALLIANCE LAUNCHED 

FOR PVC ALTERNATIVES 

BRAUNGART EPEA AND CLASSEN GROUP 

WANT TO ETABLISHED CERAMIN® AND 

OTHER HEALTHY BUILDING MATERIALS 

Against the background of a possible 

ban on PVC as part of the EU Green 

Deal and the adaptation of the EU's 

REACH regulation (Regulation on Registration, 

Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of 

Chemicals), the focus is shifting to materials, 

products and processes that are suitable for the 

circular economy and are not harmful to people 

or the environment. 

In order to position CERAMIN as an innovative 

material that fulfils these properties, the 

CLASSEN-Group was able to appoint Prof. 

Dr. Michael Braungart, a pioneer in the fields 

of design, waste avoidance and the circular 

economy who has been dealing with the PVC 

problem for a long time. 

In his interim conclusion on CERAMIN, he 

refers to the toxicity of PVC for humans and 

the environment during production, use and 

disposal, as well as the enormous consumption 

of energy and resources and the sometimes 

difficult recycling of PVC floor coverings. This 

shows the urgency of establishing alternative 

materials such as CERAMIN. 

Sebastian Wendel and Céline Quervel with Prof. Dr. Michael Braungart 

14


Braungart considers the recyclability and the 

healthy living properties of CERAMIN extremely 

promising for the entire flooring industry. 

This is against the background that the 

construction industry and the market continue 

to be supplied with PVC-containing design 

and vinyl flooring. Because floors made from 

CERAMIN are not only in terms of material 

properties such as robustness, moisture 

resistance, design variety and ease of processing 

at least equivalent, but in contrast to PVC, they 

are completely harmless to health and ecology, 

completely recyclable and consist of a high 

proportion of PP-recyclates. 

For this reason, the products also have a 

significantly lower CO2-footprint and reduce 

energy consumption through the use of 

recyclates during production. 

ABOUT PROF. DR. MICHAEL BRAUNGART: 

Prof. Dr. Braungart has long been regarded as 

a pioneer in eco-design, waste prevention and 

the circular economy. With his Environmental 

Protection Encouragement Agency (EPEA), 

founded more than 30 years ago, he and William 

McDonough established the cradle-to-cradle 

concept. 

The concept involves continuous and consistent 

recycling management. It describes the safe 

and basically infinite circulation of materials and 

nutrients. 

Whereas for the biosphere this means the 

biological decomposition of the individual 

product components that are returned to nature 

- as in the case of complete composting, for 

example - for industry and the technosphere it 

means complete recycling into new products. 

15


CLASSEN GROUP ANNOUNCES 

LAUNCH OF “CERAMIN FLEX” 

ITS FIRST PVC-FREE DRYBACK PRODUCT 

FOR THE COMMERCIAL SECTOR 

I 

recent years, the CLASSEN-Group has made 

a name for itself with the development of 

forward-looking technologies. At the end of 

2023, the family-owned company once again 

set new standards with “CERAMIN Flex” in the 

flooring industry, particularly in the commercial 

sector. 

FLEX 

With the market launch of the PVC-free material 

CERAMIN in 2016 the foundation has been finally 

laid for a worldwide demand for environmentally 

friendly and PVC-free resilient floor coverings. 

And demand is rising steadily. In particular 

architects in the USA are increasingly looking 

for PVC-free dryback flooring, as in some USstates 

pvc floor coverings are banned in public 

buildings. This has inspired the CLASSEN-Group 

to develop a CERAMIN-based dryback product. 

16


The use of CERAMIN in a dryback product 

required new investments at CLASSEN. In this 

context, the CLASSEN Group put its first diecutter 

into operation at the end of October 2023 

in order to offer a wide range of design options 

in the contract business in future. The variety 

of designs is not only achieved through various 

new formats, but above all because CLASSEN has 

been a pioneer in the field of industrial digital 

printing for years. The combination of CERAMIN 

and the possibilities of digital printing opens up 

unique potential for the contract sector, which 

is why the development of a PVC-free floor 

covering suitable for contract use was the next 

logical step for the family business. In addition to 

the health aspects. 

CERAMIN Flex is in no way inferior to classic PVCflooring 

when it comes to installation. The floor 

layer does not have to make any changes during 

installation. CERAMIN Flex is installed using 

the typical procedure for laying PVC-flooring. 

In addition, the surface of CERAMIN is a hybrid 

surface that combines film and lacquer. This is 

significantly thinner than that of PVC flooring. 

Nevertheless CERAMIN-based floor coverings 

achieve the same abrasion and utilisation class as 

PVC-floor coverings and also save material. 

17


PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN SHAW 

INDUSTRIES AND CLASSEN GROUP 

COLLABORATION EXPANDS SHAW'S 

RANGE OF HARD FLOOR COVERINGS AND 

ENABLES CLASSEN TO EXPAND 

IN THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET 

In September 2023, Shaw Industries Group, 

Inc (Shaw) and CLASSEN Group announce a 

strategic partnership. Through this partnership, 

Shaw will become the exclusive distributor 

for the company's new commercial flooring 

products (CERAMIN Flex/Dryback) in North 

America. 

"With a long-standing commitment and proven 

track record of innovation and sustainable 

design, Shaw and CLASSEN have formed an 

ideal partnership due to their shared values 

and commitment to sophisticated design 

and service excellence. Together, we can bring 

innovative products to the market and best 

serve our customers' diverse flooring needs." 

- Tim Baucom, President and CEO of Shaw 

CLASSEN's portfolio of pioneering products will 

do justice to the growing demand for alternative 

hard floor coverings in North America. The 

partnership with Shaw enables CLASSEN a 

significantly expansion in the region. 

The two companies share a commitment to 

Cradle to Cradle® inspired, unique product 

design with a focus on health and well-being, 

climate protection, circular economy, water and 

soil stewardship and social fairness. 

"This is an opportunity for CLASSEN and Shaw to 

collaborate at a pivotal time in the development 

of our businesses in the areas of design, 

innovation and sustainability. Together we will 

utilise deep market experience to develop new 

flooring alternatives in partnership." 

- Moritz Menier, CEO CLASSEN Americas Inc. 

18


ABOUT SHAW INDUSTRIES 

Shaw Corporate Campus 

Shaw Industries Group, Inc. supplies carpet, 

resilient flooring, hardwood, tile and 

stone, artificial turf and other speciality 

products to residential and commercial markets 

worldwide. 

The company fulfils its diverse customer 

requirements through an extensive portfolio of 

brands, including: Anderson Tuftex, COREtec, 

Patcraft, Philadelphia Commercial, Shaw 

Contract, Shaw Floors, Shaw Sports Turf, 

Shawgrass, Southwest Greens, Watershed Geo 

and more. 

Headquartered in Dalton, Georgia, Shaw is a 

wholly owned subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, 

Inc. with annual sales of more than $7 billion and 

approximately 20,000 employees worldwide. 

Moritz Menier, Patrick Pfisterer, Kelley Fain, Céline Quervel, Patrick Pohl, 

Scott Sandlin 

19


CERAMIN TILES WINS 

INTERZUM AWARD 

EXPERT JURY HONOURS EXCEPTIONALLY 

HIGH PRODUCT QUALITY 

The CLASSEN Group took part in Interzum, 

the world's leading trade fair for furniture 

production and interior design, in Cologne 

for the first time in 2023. 

The first piece of good news reached the family 

business even before the start of the trade fair: 

The self-developed tile alternative CERAMIN Tiles 

received the internationally renowned Interzum 

Award for "exceptionally high product quality". 

Various companies took part in the competition 

with a total of 144 submissions. A total of 52 

products from all over the world were honoured 

at the awards ceremony on the eve of Interzum. 

Seven renowned experts from the fields of 

design, materials science and architecture 

scrutinised the products submitted for the 

interzum Award in terms of their design and 

technical quality as well as sustainability. 

The jurors include Vito Orazem, Managing 

Director of Red Dot and Managing Director 

of the Design Centre NRW, and Hon. Prof. Dr 

Sascha Peters, author of numerous specialist 

books on sustainable materials and one of the 

leading materials experts and trend scouts for 

new technologies. 

20


Matthias Pollmann, Project Manager Interzum, with Céline Quervel 

The jury's assessment criteria for the interzum 

award read like a list of requirements from 

the CLASSEN Group's product developers and 

designers: 

• In combination with the exceptional product 

properties, CERAMIN Tiles has an extremely 

high degree of innovation. 

• The ease of installation, light weight and 

simple processing using a simple cutter 

guarantee optimum functionality. 

• In terms of material quality, CERAMIN Tiles 

impresses with its robustness and durability. 

• The surfaces are designed with attention 

to detail and an elaborate digital printing 

process. CERAMIN Tiles therefore scores 

points for its unmistakable appearance. 

• The use of recycled materials, the absence 

of PVC, the durability of the product, 

the climate-friendly production and the 

transparent supply chain, which places 

particular emphasis on suppliers from 

Germany and Europe - all this makes 

CERAMIN Tiles a sustainable, consumerfriendly 

product that also fully meets the 

requirements of Neo Ecology. 

21


SUSTAINABLE FLOORING 

THANKS TO SOLAR ENERGY 

PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS SUPPLY 

CLASSEN PLANTS IN KAISERSESCH AND 

BARUTH WITH SOLAR POWER 

Kaisersesch. Two new photovoltaic systems 

were installed on a total area of 74,000 m2 in 

Kaisersesch in 2023 to generate green energy for 

the production site. 

The massive solar park generates enough 

electricity each year to supply around 2,750 twoperson 

households for an entire year or to power 

a soccer stadium for around 400 matches. This 

is ensured by a total of 20,858 modules, which 

generate around 9,600,000 kWh of electricity 

within a year. 

The modern PV-systems are seamlessly 

connected to production, feed the in-house 

medium-voltage grid and thus supply all 

production facilities with green electricity. 

To date, both solar systems have achieved a 

degree of self-sufficiency of 25 percent - not 

including the company's own biomass power 

plant. This means that more than a quarter of the 

electricity consumption can already be covered. 

Only night-time production is not possible with 

solar energy and distorts the very good degree of 

self-sufficiency. 

On summer days, the entire operation in 

Kaisersesch is even powered solely by the solar 

system. 

22


Baruth. The CLASSEN-Group site in Baruth 

also invested in environmentally friendly 

power generation in 2023. A state-of-the-art 

photovoltaic system was installed on a total area 

of 30,000 m2, which supplies not only HDF board 

production but also laminate production with 

green electricity. 

The system, consisting of almost 16,500 modules, 

covers almost 50 % of the roof areas of CLASSEN 

Industries and Fiberboard in Baruth. And the 

output of the PV system is impressive: with an 

annual electricity generation of 6,600,000 kWh, it 

not only contributes to independence from fossil 

fuels, but will also make a significant contribution 

to CO2 savings by covering around 3 % of the 

CLASSEN Group's electricity requirements at full 

capacity in a climate-neutral manner. 

These investments will bring CLASSEN a big step 

closer to achieving its ambitious goals in terms 

of sustainability and the circular economy across 

all sites. 

23


CLASSEN PLACES ITS FIRST GREEN 

PROMISSORY BILL VIA FINPAIR 

GREAT CONFIDENCE OF INVESTORS 

IN THE SUSTAINABLE CORPORATE 

PHILOSOPHY 

In 2023, the CLASSEN-Group successfully placed 

its first green promissory bill via the finpair 

digital platform. Finpair brokers promissory bills 

to interested investors. The issue of the green 

bond is in line with the Green Bond Principles 

and was reviewed by imug rating GmbH, one 

of the leading german providers for strategy 

and implementation of ESG investments as 

well as for sustainability assessments, with an 

unqualified second party opinion. 

With this placement, the CLASSEN-Group 

is sending a clear signal for its sustainable 

corporate strategy and responsible use of 

resources. 

The family-owned company plans to use the 

funds to promote sustainable and energyefficient 

production processes in the flooring 

industry. 

This includes the use of environmentally 

friendly technologies, renewable energies, 

the reduction of resource consumption and 

support for recycling and waste reduction. These 

investments strengthen the CLASSEN-Group's 

position as a sustainable player and contribute to 

reducing its ecological footprint. 

The success of this placement underlines the 

confidence of investors in the sustainable 

orientation of the CLASSEN-Group and its 

innovative strength in the flooring sector. 

24


ABOUT FINPAIR: 

“Digital. Efficient. Flexible. This is how promissory 

note loans work today.” This is the philosophy 

of finpair as an innovative provider of digital 

debt instruments, which emerged from a 

digitalization offensive of NORD/LB. 

finpair is the only platform provider where users 

can benefit from a digital product solution with 

personal product and structuring expertise from 

a single source. 

Here, finpair covers all phases of the bond 

process from structuring to marketing to 

repayment and offers service and value-added 

services in all stages. Thanks to its digitally 

supported approach and broad investor universe, 

finpair is the ideal partner for both broad 

placements of debt instruments and private 

placements. 

25


SUCCESSFUL "EMERGENCY RESPONSE: 

HAZARDOUS GOODS - LARGE" 

EMERGENCY EXERCISE AT FIBERBOARD 

IN THE DISTRICT OF TELTOW-FLÄMING 

At the end of September 2023, the 

CLASSEN-Group carried out a successful 

“large-scale hazardous goods” exercise 

together with the Teltow-Fläming district fire 

department. 

The exercise took place at the CLASSEN-Group's 

production site in Baruth, the world's largest site 

for laminate flooring with an impressive capacity 

of over 80 million square meters. 

The conditions on site provided ideal conditions 

for the local fire department, the hazardous 

materials unit of the Teltow-Fläming district, the 

emergency services and the aid organizations to 

simulate extraordinary hazardous situations and 

prepare for such scenarios. 

26


The exercise went smoothly, with the participants 

gaining valuable experience and knowledge in 

order to be able to act in the best possible way in 

the event of an emergency. 

Both the employees of the district and the 

emergency services were extremely satisfied 

with the realistic training session, which was 

made possible thanks to the support of FBB. 

27


CLASSEN GROUP OPENS 

COMPETENCE CENTER IN KRAKOW 

NEW AND INNOVATIVE PLATFORM FOR 

ALL CUSTOMERS AND PARTNERS 

The CLASSEN-Group was able to set another 

milestone in 2023 with the opening of its 

new competence center in Krakow. 

The showroom, which presents the latest designs 

and products from the CLASSEN-Group, offers 

customers and partners an inspiring platform 

to experience the diversity and quality of the 

flooring manufacturer's product portfolio. 

The “CLASSEN Competence Center” has its 

own area for product training. In addition to 

theoretical knowledge, practical installation 

techniques are also taught here. 

With the new competence center, the CLASSEN- 

Group has created a place that combines design, 

functionality and innovation and offers complete 

flexibility. The location in Krakow was strategically 

chosen to appeal to both local and international 

customers and to further strengthen the 

CLASSEN-Group's presence in the region. 

The opening of the showroom not only marks 

a new step in the presentation of high-quality 

laminate flooring and pioneering CERAMIN 

flooring, but also demonstrates the CLASSEN- 

Group's commitment to the highest level of 

customer experience. 

The showroom will provide an inspiring 

environment where visitors can discover the 

different styles, textures and colors of the 

CLASSEN flooring collections. 

28


To the digital platform 

29


02 

INNOVATIONS 

FOR 2024 

30


MEGALOC TWIN 

AA-PLANK TECHNOLOGY FOR 

HERRINGBONE FLOORS 

Herringbone floors are becoming 

increasingly popular these days, as 

the dynamic installation look brings 

naturalness and atmosphere to any room 

in an almost natural way. Thanks to years of 

further development of the patented megaloc 

installation system, the CLASSEN-Group has 

been able to offer an innovative installation 

system for herringbone laminate flooring 

since 2023, which brings with it a multitude of 

advantages. 

Where previously double storage or complicated 

ordering of A-B-packs was required or there was 

a potential mix-up of planks during installation, 

megaloc twin offers an advanced solution. 

This installation system, a further development of 

the already proven megaloc installation system, 

enables real ease of installation and significantly 

speeds up progress during installation. In 

contrast to conventional herringbone parquet, 

which requires A and B planks, the megaloc 

twin system uses only A planks. This not only 

simplifies installation, but also optimizes waste. 

The installation of megaloc twin is extremely 

simple. Thanks to the tried-and-tested fold-down 

technique, the planks are laid as a floating click 

installation system. 

Next, the CLASSEN team is also planning to 

further develop the installation system for its 

CERAMIN products. 

To the installation video 

31


MEGALOC AQUA PROTECT 

LAMINATE FLOORING: EVEN LONGER 

PROTECTION AGAINST WATER 

The CLASSEN-Group has been producing 

waterresistant laminate flooring with megalocaqua-protect 

technology since 2020, creating a 

new category in the product portfolio. 

Waterresistance is guaranteed according to the 

NALFA method, a standardized test procedure 

of the "North American Laminate Flooring 

Association", which has proven itself since 2018. 

The test measures how the laminate flooring 

behaves when its surface is exposed to standing 

water for 24 hours or longer. To do this, the 

surface is measured in four positions before and 

after the test and checked and evaluated for 

visual and tactile changes. 

To the Megaloc Video 

But that's not all: CLASSEN has continued to 

optimize the technology over the years, leading 

to even better results in the NALFA test. In 

addition to the classic 24 hours, some ranges 

have also passed the NALFA test after 48 hours, 

72 hours and even after 168 hours or 1 week. 

These standard ranges are among the top 

performers: 

• 832-4 XL WR: 72 h waterresistant 

• 832-4 WR: 48 h waterresistant 

• 1033-4WR: 48 h waterresistant 

• CASA: 48 h waterresistant (Classico, Originale, 

Ultimo, Lounge), 72 h water-resistant 

(Grande) 

• Sensa: 48 h waterresistant 

• Visiogrande: 72 h waterresistant 

• Grande XXL: 72 h waterresistant 

• Uberwood: 1 week waterresistant 

• Hydroclick: 168 h waterresistant 

32


CERAMIN: 

CAREFREE LIVING 

Similar to high-quality outdoor clothing, the 

difference between “water-resistant” and 

“waterproof” is also very important for floor 

coverings. The weak point here is not the 

material itself, but the joints. 

In the case of a rain jacket you have to pay 

more attention to the seams, in the case of 

floor coverings to the joints. Although the 

materials used in the industry for the backing 

boards of vinyl or designer flooring are generally 

waterrresistant, the joints between the individual 

planks are not absolutely waterproof. As a result, 

there is a risk of water passes through the joints 

and damaging the subfloor. 

At CERAMIN, CLASSEN addresses this weak point 

with the NUVA Selected and Rock collections. 

Our megaloc aqua protect technology, which has 

already proven itself in laminate flooring, is used 

here. It prevents water from penetrating the 

joints and thus contributes to a carefree living 

environment. 

33


NATURALNESS YOU CAN TOUCH 

NEW STRUCTURES AND SURFACES 

One of the most important considerations 

when deciding for or against a floor is 

the authenticity of the surface. It not only 

influences the aesthetics, but also the durability 

and overall impression. 

Wood or stone looks that are designed to be 

as realistic as possible give a room a warm and 

inviting feel. 

For this reason, we have developed two new 

all-over surface textures for our CLASSEN 

laminate flooring. Both structures have one 

thing in common: a pore depth of 200 μm. While 

Highland has a calm and elegant appearance, 

Everest has an exciting structure that enhances 

the look and feel of the laminate flooring. 

Thanks to CLASSEN LLT technology, both 

surfaces set new standards in the all-over sector. 

34


35


COMMISSIONING OF NEW MACHINES 

NEW DIE CUTTER FOR MORE FORMAT 

AND DESIGN VARIETY 

The die-cutter, which was commissioned 

at the end of 2023, will be used specifically 

for the production of “CERAMIN Flex” - 

our CERAMIN-based dryback solution - at our 

headquarters in Kaisersesch. 

The new machine gives CLASSEN greater 

flexibility in terms of formats and designs: from 

authentic stone decors and modern wood decors 

to the first herringbone decors in the CERAMIN 

range. Where previously an edge lacquer was 

used, the bevel is now trimmed in such a way 

that it is given a color tone that matches the 

design and appears matt. 

36


FURTHER TWIN SCREW EXTRUDER SYSTEM 

At the end of 2020, the CLASSEN-Group was able 

to put its first extruder system into operation, 

replacing the previous production process with 

the double belt press, which required a lot of 

energy. 

As the demand for design flooring is constantly 

increasing and the production process with the 

extruder system is significantly more energyefficient, 

the CLASSEN-Group put another 

extruder system into operation in 2023. 

This not only doubles the production capacity to 

20 million m2 per year, but the new machine has 

also been technologically enhanced. 

The 2023 line has a multi-layer nozzle that can 

individually adjust the top layer, middle layer 

and backing to the various further processing 

requirements when extruding the CERAMIN 

board. 

37


03 

NEW 

CERTIFICATES 

38


SUSTAINABLY CERTIFIED 

EVEN MORE TRANSPARENCY AND 

CONFIRMED QUALITY THANKS TO EPD 

AND RECYCLASS 

As a leading company in the flooring 

industry, we not only attach particular 

importance to innovative products, but 

also to the highest quality standards. 

The certification of our products is not only 

an expression of our efforts to achieve the 

highest product quality, but also reflects our 

commitment to environmental protection and 

social responsibility. 

Through transparent standards and independent 

testing, we ensure that our products meet the 

strictest requirements and at the same time 

satisfy the highest demands of our customers. In 

this context, we are delighted to have received 

two new certificates for our CERAMIN wall and 

floor coverings. 

• In an “Environmental Product Declaration”, 

or EPD for short, all environmentally relevant 

properties of CERAMIN are described in the 

form of neutral and objective data. This data 

covers almost all the effects that CERAMIN 

can have on the environment. The entire life 

cycle of the product is taken into account. 

• With “RecyClass by Plastship”, Plastship 

offers a Europe-wide, standardized 

assessment standard for the recyclability 

of plastic products. Plastship GmbH has 

been certifying CERAMIN as having “very 

good recyclability” since 2020. In 2023, the 

CLASSEN-Group went one step further 

and had the recycled content of CERAMIN 

certified by plastship. The company confirms 

that CERAMIN contains at least 25 % postconsumer 

recyclates in the overall product. 

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04 

NEW 

ASSORTMENTS 

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NUVA 

PVC-FREE RIGID FLOOR FOR 

CLICKING AND GLUING 

NUVA stands out not only due to numerous 

technological advances, such as a bevelled 

edge in the wear layer, but above all due 

to the authentic and lifelike designs that allow 

maximum flexibility thanks to digital printing. 

From elegant dark walnut decors to 

contemporary stone looks, NUVA harmoniously 

combines aesthetic demands with functional 

sophistication. 

A significant innovation is that you now have the 

choice: “Clicking or gluing”? Where previously 

there were restrictions in terms of the installation 

method, you can now decide for yourself, 

depending on your area of application, whether 

you want to use the decor as an innovative click 

system or as a dryback for full-surface bonding. 

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More information 

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MANOR 

INNOVATIVE, VERSATILE, STYLISH 

An enduring classic in numerous historic 

buildings and one of the most traditional 

laying styles of all - the herringbone 

pattern. And for good reason, because no other 

plank format or design brings naturalness 

and atmosphere into a room as naturally as a 

herringbone floor. 

But although this stylish laying pattern has 

been around for a very long time, it is gaining 

popularity again these days. No wonder, because 

it fits in perfectly with modern living: open-plan 

and light-flooded rooms define contemporary 

interior design. 

With MANOR, CLASSEN is reinterpreting the 

classic and giving it a modern and innovative 

touch. Nine modern but timeless wood designs 

are complemented by the further development 

of the proven megaloc installation system, 

megaloc twin, and rounded off by a traditionally 

inspired name: MANOR. 

Thanks to years of further development of the 

patented megaloc installation system into the 

new megaloc twin, MANOR, unlike conventional 

herringbone floors, has no left and right planks 

and consists only of A-planks. Another advantage 

over the classic system: MANOR is easy to lay as 

a floating floor, making it more flexible and less 

complicated. 

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CERAMIN TILES 

NEW XXL DESIGNS AND 

SIZE SELECTION FOR EVEN MORE 

DESIGN FREEDOM 

With CERAMIN Tiles, the CLASSEN Group 

has created a completely new tile 

category. 

What makes the tiles particularly attractive for 

DIY enthusiasts and craftsmen is that they are 

only 3 mm thin, significantly lighter than ceramic 

tiles and therefore very easy to lay. 

To the installation video 

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Thanks to the material properties, the tiles are 

above all practical and easy to work with. Despite 

their size of 2,55 × 1,20 meters, the XXL tiles only 

weigh 15 kilos, making them significantly lighter 

than ceramic tiles and can be laid by one person 

alone. 

The effort involved in renovating entire 

bathrooms or individual wet areas is minimal, 

as the tiles can be cut to size with a utility knife 

and thus bonded without creating dust or noise. 

Above all, however, they can also be applied to 

old, existing tiled mirrors. 

In order to offer more design freedom and 

meet current trends, CERAMIN Tiles 2024 will 

be expanded to include three wood decors, a 

fantasy decor and two tile decors in XXL format, 

and two existing tile decors will also be available 

in 80/40 format. The collection now offers a total 

of four different formats - 60/30, 80/40, 120/40 

and 260/120 - and 19 different decors. 

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HYDROCLICK 

THE PERFECT FLOOR FOR 

DEMANDING APPLICATIONS 

The Hydroclick spc floor offers you a diverse 

combination of properties that make it a 

first-class choice for both private homes 

and commercial premises: 

• With a waterresistance of up to 100 hours, 

Hydroclick is ideal for rooms with increased 

wear and tear. 

• The innovative edge impregnation reduces 

swelling of the profile edges in the event 

of water damage. This measure makes 

a significant contribution to improving 

the durability of the floor and minimizes 

unwanted moisture damage. 

• Installation is extremely simple and 

time-saving thanks to the megaloc click 

installation system. 

• The authentic synchronous structure in 

combination with the natural decors and the 

all-round bevel gives the floor an attractive 

appearance that authentically imitates 

natural materials. 

• The integrated impact sound insulation 

minimizes walking noise and ensures 

pleasant room acoustics. 

• Hydroclick does not use PVC or plasticizers, 

which is not only environmentally friendly, 

but also ensures a healthy indoor climate. Its 

robustness and ease of maintenance make 

it a long-term investment, backed by an 

impressive 33-year warranty. 

Overall, Hydroclick offers you a versatile, durable 

and aesthetically pleasing solution for all types of 

residential and commercial spaces. 

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PRO NATURE 

CREATED FOR PLAYFULLY EASY AND 

ENTICINGLY FAST LAYING 

Pro Nature offers all the advantages of a 

conventional design floor, such as durability 

and easy installation, but is also free from 

PVC and plasticizers. 

Another pro: the beautiful wideplank decors 

inspired by nature. Choose between 19 decors in 

natural stone and wood looks in three different 

formats. 

CERAMIN is the natural material that makes Pro 

Nature so special. Without PVC and plasticizers, 

but still robust. Natural and health-friendly for 

long-lasting health. Certified healthy living, 

confirmed by the "Blue Angel" and the eco- 

Institut label. 100 % recyclable and made from 

recycled plastic (polypropylene) such as yoghurt 

pots. 

Renovate your home quickly and easily with Pro 

Nature. Cut to size with a utility knife, apply, click 

in, done! Pro Nature is installed in a short time as 

a floating click installation system. 

The easyloc technology creates a secure 

connection in everyday living and is equipped to 

meet all challenges. The installation height of just 

4 mm makes Pro Nature a DIY and renovationfriendly 

floor. 

Pro Nature lays the perfect foundation for 

pro(fessional) demands and for all daily 

challenges. Thanks to increased service class 34, 

Pro Nature is suitable for intensive use. 

Dents from falling building blocks or scratches 

from toy cars are a thing of the past. Long-term 

safety guaranteed: Pro Nature offers a 25-year 

warranty against abrasion damage. 

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UBERWOOD 

THE FLOOR COVERING OF THE NEXT 

GENERATION 

With UBERWOOD, the CLASSEN-Group 

presents a new flooring category. 

Because UBERWOOD floors are 

unbeatable when it comes to durability! The 

modern and environmentally friendly flooring 

combines the best properties of traditional 

floor coverings with the latest technological 

developments. 

The collection heralds a completely new era 

for coreboards. Specially developed for the 

requirements of UBERWOOD, the core board 

only develops its full functionality in combination 

with the best of all installation systems - megaloc 

aqua protect. The patented installation system 

guarantees waterresistance of up to one week. 

To the UBERWOOD Video 

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To ensure first-class sound quality in the 

room, UBERWOOD is equipped with 2 mm 

thick impact sound insulation. This makes an 

additional carpet pad superfluous. 

UBERWOOD not only impresses with its 

maximum functionality, but also with its natural 

look and feel. Because the feel of a floor is 

becoming increasingly important today, we paid 

particular attention to the surface structures 

when developing UBERWOOD. This has resulted 

in three new synchronous structures - from 

authentic to iconic to rustic. 

Our designers have been inspired by every 

conceivable wood species and color, grain and 

texture, grading and finish to create a truly 

natural feel. 

The rustic designs in particular, with textures that 

only real wood floors have ever achieved in this 

depth, demonstrate the love of product detail: 

Modeled on hand-picked, local woods, they 

contain striking cracks and knots with authentic 

highlights. This gives the planks such a natural 

look that they are almost indistinguishable from 

real wood applications. UBERWOOD is based on 

high-quality wood from sustainable forestry. 

We source our materials from the immediate 

vicinity of our production facilities in Germany 

and do not use any tropical woods at all. A 

self-commitment declaration and numerous 

certifications confirm this claim. 

The wood used comes from FSC® (FSC C100583) 

and PEFC (PEFC/04-31-0824) certified forests 

in accordance with the CLASSEN-Group's 

sustainability principles. 

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VISIOGRANDE 

THE WATER-RESISTANT AND UNIQUE 

LAMINATE TILE 

Tile designs have been inspiring and exciting 

people for thousands of years and never 

go out of fashion. Visiogrande combines 

the natural look of traditional tiles with the 

advantages of water-resistant laminate flooring. 

Authentic and genuine. Unique and vibrant. 

Established on the market for many years, 

Visiogrande impresses with authentic designs 

and a surface with an impressive stone texture. 

Inspired by Italian stone art and current tile 

trends, Visiogrande 2024 is being expanded 

to include eight new designs in calm, gray 

and beige stone tones as well as an exclusive 

travertine design. 

even better suited to the challenges of everyday 

life and has an increased water resistance of up 

to 72 hours. Whether in kitchens, bathrooms or 

hallways̶Visiogrande reliably defies water and 

moisture. 

It is the high processing quality, the simple 

installation thanks to the click installation system 

and, last but not least, the variety of appealing 

designs: Visiogrande is the water-resistant 

laminate tile that leaves nothing to be desired, 

fulfills every furnishing wish and meets even the 

highest design requirements. 

Thanks to the compact 60/30 tile format in 

combination with the megaloc aqua protect 

quick-laying system, Visiogrande is super quick 

and easy to lay, even for inexperienced DIY 

enthusiasts. What's more, Visiogrande is now 

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To the catalogue 

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05 

EVENTS 

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IT'S GOING TO BE LOUD 

THE MOTTO 2023 

Many new concepts and products were 

waiting in the wings in 2023. And where 

better to present the new product world 

than at a trade fair? 

Even before the official market launch, the 

CLASSEN-Group was able to present its first 

herringbone laminate at the respective trade 

fairs. And the innovations in the CERAMIN range 

were also impressive: CERAMIN-Flex impressed 

trade fair visitors at the beginning of 2023. 

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WHERE HAVE WE BEEN IN 2023? 

BAU, MUNICH 

BAU 2023 was the perfect opportunity 

to present the CLASSEN-Group's highquality 

floor coverings to visitors from 

all over the world. The focus was on innovative 

design, sustainable floor coverings and product 

innovations. 

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The new products, above all Manor and 

CERAMIN-Flex, which were presented to the 

public for the first time, shone at the trade fair. 

The CLASSEN-Group considers the trade fair to 

be a complete success and has firmly planned 

to attend the next BAU in order to inspire the 

industry with sustainable product innovations. 

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INTERZUM, COLOGNE 

For the first time, the CLASSEN-Group took 

part in Interzum, the world's leading trade 

fair for furniture production and interior 

design. The family-run company celebrated its 

premiere with the Interzum Award for CERAMIN 

Tiles and a stand construction concept that 

brings sustainability and uniqueness to life. 

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INTERMOB, ISTANBUL 

With around 40,000 visitors and 550 

exhibitors, Intermob 2023 set a new 

record CLASSEN used the trade fair as 

a platform to present the latest products such 

as MANOR, Uberwood and Grande XXL. The 

trade fair also provided an excellent opportunity 

to forge new partnerships and deepen existing 

business relationships in the Middle East sales 

region. 

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BRANCHENTAG HOLZ, COLOGNE 

The Wood Industry Day is an important 

event for the wood industry and related 

sectors. CLASSEN also took part as an 

exhibitor for the first time and presented its 

flooring range and its sister division for highquality 

doors on more than two stands. 

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WHERE CAN YOU MEET US IN 2024? 

DOMOTEX HANNOVER 

SURFACES LAS VEGAS 

NEOCON CHICAGO 

DOMOTEX SHANGHAI 

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06 

PREVIEW 

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DECOR AND DESIGN TRENDS 

HIGHLIGHTS 2023 

In 2023, the trend was clearly towards “clean 

wood”. The classic, calm oak in the form of our 

“Elben Oak Extears” was particularly convincing 

across the board. Its natural, soft shade lends any 

room a timeless elegance. But warmer shades of 

gray also more than lived up to the trend. 

PREVIEW 

Interior design and sustainability will continue to 

go hand in hand in 2024, especially in the area 

of floor design. Consumers' growing awareness 

of the impact of human activities on the 

environment is leading to a significant change 

in consumer behavior. People are asking for 

more sustainable flooring products that are both 

environmentally friendly and durable. 

This also applies to flooring design. The trend 

is to choose a design that doesn't get boring 

so quickly: replacing a floor after a few years 

because you no longer like the color or the 

grain is no longer in keeping with the times. 

Accordingly, the oak look has dominated interior 

design for a few years now. 

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MODEST DYNAMIC 

But what has changed: in 2024, floors with 

a matt finish will dominate the flooring 

market. 

Matt finishes offer a range of benefits, including 

a stylish and modern look as well as a warm and 

inviting atmosphere. 

Combined with the Pantone color of the year 

“Peach Fuzz”, this creates an exciting and warm 

atmosphere. 

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TIMELESS ELEGANCE 

In 2024, classic and dynamic herringbone floors 

will continue to be popular. 

What further enhances this classic flooring is the 

growing love of neutral color palettes, especially 

beige tones or the trend color “cracked pepper”. 

Herringbone floors in soft, warm beige tones 

add warmth to interiors while creating a sense of 

comfort. 

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MODERN MINIMALISM 

Tile designs used to be concrete gray or 

anthracite black. In 2024, tile designs offer 

more variety. Warm beige tones in large 

formats for the kitchen and playful terrazzo and 

marble-look tiles for the bathroom or entrance 

area. 

Complemented by one of the trend colors of the 

year “Blue Nova”, this creates a modern look in 

your home. 

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The pictures in this magazine may vary 

in colour and appearance from reality. 

CLASSEN Group 

Werner-von-Siemens-Str. 18-20 

D-56759 Kaisersesch

CLASSEN Magazine 2024 (EN)

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