When it comes to flooring and interior finishes, Domotex is one of the world’s leading exhibitions.
For the wood-based panels community, a lot of products at the show feature composite panels or plywood – laminate flooring, engineered wood flooring and underlay products for instance.
While it is true to say the laminate flooring sector has been in the doldrums this past two years and has faced stiff competition from other materials, Domotex was a good opportunity to gauge sentiment, launch new products and reinforce brand identity.
Wood-based panel producing exhibitors who have their own flooring brands included Kronospan, Swiss Krono, AGT and Egger. The feedback was largely positive from the event – held from January 19-22 at the Hanover Exhibition Centre – but visitors figures had not been forthcoming at the time of WBPI going to press.
The previous show in 2024 attracted approximately 18,000 people, with the number this year expected to be something broadly similar.
This year, organisers Deutsche Messe expressed satisfaction at their re-marketing of the event as the ‘Home of Flooring & Interior Finishing’, to bridge the gap between high-quality flooring and comprehensive interior solutions.
This expansion is a response to changing market requirements and the growing demand for holistic interior concepts. Additional product groups for walls, ceilings, and interior finishing were integrated into the established flooring offering, creating new synergies along the entire value chain.
More than 500 exhibitors from more than 50 countries attended, with Deutsche Messe noting “positive energy, international reach, and strong participation of leading market players” at an event which seeks to be a central meeting point for business, trends, and innovations.
“DOMOTEX has reinvented itself and shown us all that it pays off to boldly explore new paths,” said Arno Reich, Senior Vice President, Deutsche Messe AG.
“DOMOTEX 2026 sets new benchmarks for the entire industry. Both exhibitors and visitors have given us consistently positive feedback. The fair clearly conveys a tangible sense of renewal and provides the perfect platform to bring together the international flooring and interior finishing community.”
“DOMOTEX has successfully evolved in terms of content and concept – without losing its roots in flooring,” added Annette Levy, the new Project Director of DOMOTEX.
“The expansion to include wall and ceiling products was exactly the right move and created new synergies that were clearly tangible across the exhibition grounds. It is precisely this interdisciplinary exchange that makes DOMOTEX a global industry meeting point.”
Deutsche Messe said the visitor profile at Domotex was again high in terms of international visitors, with some exhibitors reporting visitors from as far as Israel, Venezuela, and Thailand. Trade visitors were principally interested in latest offerings from leading manufacturers and particularly appreciated the expanded product groups.
Bruno Descamps, Managing Director at Belgium-based engineered wood flooring manufacturer Lamett, liked the new concept at DOMOTEX.
“We are extremely satisfied with the new DOMOTEX. For us, the fair feels like a real new beginning – a clear confirmation that this format is still absolutely meaningful. The atmosphere is positive, our customers and team are excited, and we were able to conduct important discussions and secure very successful deals. For the flooring industry, it is crucial to meet regularly, exchange ideas, and present innovations.”
Kronoplus also praised the event.
“DOMOTEX provides us with the ideal platform to showcase our new collections and innovations firsthand,” said Mark Bircham, Managing Director of Kronoplus.
“It is especially important that customers can not only see our technologies and designs but also touch and experience them – something that is difficult to convey online. The response over the past few days has been overwhelming: visitors showed great interest in our waterproof products, new digital print designs, and the wide range of flooring and wall formats.”
DOMOTEX FEATURES AND PRODUCTS
The exhibition was accompanied by a diverse supporting programme, including presentations, discussion formats, and special areas. Key topics such as sustainability, circular economy, design, and new working environments were highlighted, alongside the personal exchange within the international community.
A special highlight of DOMOTEX 2026 was the Green Collection Award, which this year was presented to Weitzer Parkett for its outstanding sustainable product solution, Weitzer ReParkett.
The fair also provided a high-profile stage for other industry awards, including the Parkett Star Award from SN-Verlag and the Netzwerk Boden Award.
Kronospan made a bold international statement at the exhibition, introducing its newest flooring collection, garnering significant attention from architects and industry buyers alike.
It said Domotex’s highlighting of holistic conceptual integration reflected how floors function as part of a larger design ecosystem, connecting flooring with walls, acoustics, and overall interior experience.
Kronospan’s co-ordinated solutions include the KronoOriginal Acoustic Wall Panels to add both functional sound control and interior styling value. Soundproofing quality has emerged as a major design consideration for residential and commercial spaces alike.
Responding to the interior design move toward textural statement elements, Kronowall 3D panels add volume to walls with an attractive 3D effect.
“After a decade of cooler grey and uniform finishes, designers and homeowners are returning to warmer, natural wood aesthetics that feel inviting and close to nature,” it said. “Oak and walnut wood looks dominate flooring preferences, and textured, matte, and sensory surfaces are preferred over highgloss or flat prints.”
2026 sees a return of distinctive layouts and pattern play, like herringbone and geometric parquet-inspired designs, which add interest and character to interiors. Larger plank formats with varied prints also reduce visual repetition.
KronoOriginal Herringbone collection meets this key expectation of the recent trend for floors that feel handcrafted and exclusive by offering 120 unique designs in Perfect Plank technology, which eliminates repeatability.
“Kronospan’s presentation at DOMOTEX 2026 demonstrated how the company is reacting to the latest flooring and interior design trends with a perfect balance of innovation, functionality, and aesthetic appeal. From warm, natural wood looks and pattern-rich floor decors to integrated wall solutions and acoustic performance, our new KronoOriginal collection addresses the evolving needs of modern living spaces.”
Swiss Krono has continuously worked on developing waterproof flooring solutions. The result is a growing portfolio of woodbased floors that, according to the Swiss company, are 100% waterproof.
A prime example is artureon WOOD, which the company says is a 100% waterproof and 100% recyclable designer floor with a real wood surface, which premiered at DOMOTEX. The solutions are designed for kitchens, bathrooms, and commercial wet areas. According to Swiss Krono, they combine the natural look of wood with technical reliability – developed for everyday use.
Extra thick, extra strong flooring was also a feature for Swiss Krono. A 14mm thick product – Fourteen SOLID – is designed for durability and a distinctive feel underfoot. With 80% wood content, it’s PVC-free and ‘waterproof’. The 5G click system ensures easy installation.
GRAND SELECTION laminate floors from Swiss Krono are designed to deliver a tactile experience. Their authentic wood reproduction ides designed with a harmony of décor and texture. The highest usage class AC5/Class 33 and an “Antiscratch” overlay, plus water-resistant properties are meant to offer high levels of durability.
The company also showcased the EVOLUTION collection featuring décors inspired by French oak.
Meanwhile, Egger presented AquaDura – its wood-based answer to conventional LVT flooring.
It features a matt-touch surface and integrated underlay mat made of natural wood fibres. The Aqua CLIC it! waterproof click system is designed to protect the flooring from water ingress for 24 hours.
Throughout the exhibition, AGT introduced its new decors, surface technologies, and sustainability focused approaches within its product range. In particular, durable laminate flooring solutions with a natural texture feel and an environmentally friendly production approach were among the main highlights.
AGT said its meetings held during DOMOTEX revealed the diversity of demands coming from different markets and showed that quality, design, and sustainability are becoming increasingly decisive in the flooring and surface sector.
The next DOMOTEX Home of Flooring & Interior Finishing will take place from 17 to 20 January 2028 in Hannover.
