Home > Media > News > Industry News > How Tech Innovations Reshape Hardwood Flooring’s Global Market-DOMOTEX asia-CHINAFLOORAt DOMOTEX asia/CHINAFLOOR 2025, the 210,000-square-meter exhibition area became a showcase for hardwood flooring’s technological revolution. Over 1,500 exhibitors—including industry leaders unveiled cutting-edge innovations that are redefining the global market.
Attracting 83,056 professional visitors from 124 countries (18,121 of whom are international buyers), the exhibition confirmed that technology has become the key driver of hardwood flooring’s market growth. From engineered construction to smart finishes and digital tools, these advancements are expanding application scenarios, enhancing product competitiveness, and boosting cross-border trade. From a market perspective, let’s explore how these tech innovations are transforming hardwood flooring and why DOMOTEX asia has become the ultimate platform for global buyers to seize procurement opportunities.
Solid hardwood once dominated the high-end segment, but its poor moisture resistance and warping issues restricted its penetration in humid regions and special scenarios. At DOMOTEX asia 2025, engineered hardwood emerged as the most sought-after category, accounting for 45% of hardwood-related displays. This product, which bonds a genuine hardwood veneer to multi-layered plywood or fiberboard, has become a market game-changer thanks to structural upgrades.
SWISS KRONO’s engineered hardwood, showcased at the exhibition, adopts a cross-layered structure that reduces expansion and contraction by 60% compared to solid wood. This stability makes it ideal for Southeast Asia’s humid climate and below-grade installations like basements—markets where solid wood previously struggled to gain traction. Exhibition data shows that inquiries for engineered hardwood from Southeast Asian buyers surged by 49% year-on-year, with Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam as the top three demand markets.
Another key advantage is resource efficiency. Engineered hardwood uses 30% less solid wood per plank, aligning with global sustainability trends. Beamy Floor’s FSC-certified engineered series, featuring recycled wood fibers in the core layer, received strong interest from European buyers, who accounted for 20% of its on-site orders. This innovation not only lowers production costs but also meets the eco-requirements of green building projects, opening doors to high-value markets like the EU and North America.
Maintenance complexity and short service life were once major pain points for hardwood flooring in commercial scenarios. At DOMOTEX asia 2025, advanced finishing technologies became a core selling point, addressing these issues and expanding hardwood’s application in high-traffic areas.
UV-cured aluminum oxide finishes are now industry standards. Power Dekor’s prefinished hardwood, infused with ultra-fine aluminum oxide particles, achieves an AC5 wear resistance rating—capable of withstanding 10,000+ daily footsteps. This product was highly sought after by hotel and mall buyers at the exhibition, with 32% of commercial procurement orders focusing on this category. A representative from a Middle Eastern hotel group noted that the finish’s scratch and stain resistance reduces maintenance costs by 40% compared to traditional hardwood, making it a cost-effective choice for large-scale projects.
Nanotechnology and smart coatings are also gaining traction. Several exhibitors showcased hydrophobic and antibacterial nanocoatings that repel dirt and moisture while inhibiting bacterial growth. These products are particularly popular in healthcare and education sectors—Southeast Asian school buyers increased their inquiries for such products by 55% at the exhibition. Additionally, matte and oil-rubbed finishes, which mimic natural wood’s organic charm, cater to the design needs of high-end residential and boutique commercial spaces, with European designers accounting for 18% of related orders.
Digital technology has revolutionized hardwood flooring’s design and production, enabling personalized customization that meets diverse market needs— a trend fully demonstrated at DOMOTEX asia 2025.
Digital scanning and grading systems ensure consistent quality. High-resolution scanners analyze each wood plank to detect imperfections, optimizing cutting patterns to minimize waste. SWISS KRONO’s digital grading process reduces material waste by 25%, lowering costs and appealing to price-sensitive emerging markets. CNC milling and laser cutting achieve millimeter-level precision, resulting in tighter seams and seamless installations. This precision is crucial for large commercial projects—Chinese real estate developers, who accounted for 32% of domestic buyers, prioritized this feature for Fully furnished/renovated residential projects.
3D texturing and wire-brushing technologies enable hyper-realistic designs. Exhibitors like NOVALIS showcased engineered hardwood with simulated reclaimed wood textures, complete with natural grain variations and distress marks. This customization capability attracted a large number of North American and European buyers seeking artisanal aesthetics, with personalized orders accounting for 15% of total hardwood transactions at the exhibition.
Complex installation and high labor costs have long hindered hardwood flooring’s adoption. At DOMOTEX asia 2025, innovative installation technologies simplified the process, reducing costs and boosting market acceptance.
Click-lock systems are now mainstream. Tigeer Floor’s click-lock engineered hardwood requires no nails or glue, cutting installation time by 50% compared to traditional methods. This feature is particularly popular among small and medium-sized buyers in emerging markets, as it lowers labor costs and allows for easy repairs. Exhibition data shows that click-lock products accounted for 67% of hardwood orders from Southeast Asian small retailers.
Integrated acoustic layers and radiant heat compatibility expand application scenarios. Hardwood flooring with built-in soundproof underlayment saw a 42% increase in inquiries from multi-level residential and condo buyers. Meanwhile, radiant heat-compatible products, such as those from Power Dekor, are gaining traction in European markets with high demand for underfloor heating, with orders from Germany and the Netherlands rising by 35% year-on-year.
Sustainability has become a core procurement criterion for global buyers, and DOMOTEX asia 2025 exhibitors responded with green technologies that align with international standards.
Responsible sourcing and digital tracking are key trends. Beamy Floor’s FSC-certified hardwood uses wood from responsibly managed forests, with digital QR codes enabling buyers to trace the wood’s origin. This transparency resonated with European and North American buyers, who accounted for 41% of its eco-friendly product orders. Reclaimed wood flooring, repurposed from old buildings and industrial materials, is also gaining popularity—exhibitors’ reclaimed series saw a 58% increase in inquiries from luxury hotel and boutique retail buyers.
Low-VOC and water-based finishes address environmental concerns. SWISS KRONO’s water-based UV-cured finishes have VOC emissions below 0.1mg/L, meeting EU EN 717-1 and US CARB P2 standards. This has opened doors to high-end green building projects, with 23% of related orders coming from LEED-certified project developers.
For global buyers, visualizing hardwood flooring in their spaces is a major challenge. DOMOTEX asia 2025 exhibitors introduced digital tools that bridge this gap, enhancing procurement confidence.
AR visualization apps allow buyers to preview flooring in their actual spaces using smartphones or tablets. Power Dekor’s AR tool enables real-time adjustments to plank width, stain, and layout, reducing the risk of mismatched designs. Exhibition data shows that buyers who used AR tools were 3 times more likely to place orders on-site. Additionally, 3D design software integration allows commercial buyers to simulate flooring in large-scale projects, optimizing material usage and reducing waste—this feature was highly valued by construction contractors, who accounted for 20% of tool users.
DOMOTEX asia 2025 also offered a glimpse into hardwood flooring’s future, with exhibitors previewing innovations that will drive long-term market growth. AI-driven customization will enable buyers to create unique finishes based on preferences, while self-healing coatings that repair minor scratches with heat or light will further reduce maintenance costs. Smart sensors embedded in flooring to monitor humidity and temperature will appeal to commercial clients seeking optimal performance.
These emerging trends highlight that hardwood flooring is evolving from a traditional building material to a high-tech, sustainable product— and DOMOTEX asia is at the forefront of this transformation. The exhibition’s personalized business matching sessions and buyer delegation programs have connected tech-savvy exhibitors with global procurement demand, with a 67% success rate for supply-demand matching.
Technological innovations are reshaping hardwood flooring’s global market, from expanding application scenarios and enhancing durability to meeting sustainability demands and enabling customization. DOMOTEX asia 2025, as the Asia-Pacific’s leading flooring exhibition, has become the ultimate platform for global buyers to access these innovations—offering a one-stop solution to connect with top exhibitors, experience cutting-edge products, and leverage precise business matching.
For global procurement professionals, the exhibition’s aggregation of tech-driven products, diverse supplier resources, and market trend insights provides unparalleled value. Whether targeting emerging markets with cost-effective engineered hardwood or high-end segments with sustainable, customized products, DOMOTEX asia empowers buyers to seize market opportunities.
Mark your calendars for DOMOTEX asia 2026 (May 27-29, Shanghai NECC), where more technological breakthroughs will be unveiled. As hardwood flooring continues to evolve with innovation, DOMOTEX asia remains the key to unlocking its global market potential—connecting buyers and exhibitors to shape the future of the industry.
May 27-29, 2026
National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai)
