With its new rubber floorcovering noraplan® astro, Freudenberg Bausysteme KG , Weinheim, is presenting an innovative product in the market: a new, extraordinary visual option which has been rendered possible by a new, unique production technique.

In order to prepare the harmonic interaction between colour and architecture for the future, Freudenberg has chosen a colour range especially for noraplan® astro in co-operation with 250 selected architect's offices in Europe and the USA. The range includes four colour groups with four colour variations each; with regard to the selected colour families, the planners selected blue, green, warm beige, brown and red shades as well as the spacious grey which is frequently used in modern architecture.

Innovative production technique

The design of noraplan® astro could not be realised using the hitherto known production techniques - the modern visual appearance was only made possible through a new production technique developed by Freudenberg. "As world-wide market leader in the field of rubber floorcoverings we are a pioneer in the area of production know-how. Almost all product and process innovations in the last 50 years have been developed by Freudenberg", explained Jochen Schlitt, who as member of the management is responsible for the distribution and administration divisions. "With noraplan® astro we have already today shown the future possibilities of the rubber floorcovering." This was made possible through an investment of approx. DM 26 million for a new production plant and the construction of a corresponding workshop hall as well as comprehensive research activities in the company's own preliminary development department.

Up to now, rubber lines from which the floorcovering is cut later, have been rolled out using cylinder-type calender bowls. The newly developed production technique, however, uses an innovative twin strip press which prolongs the vulcanisation and compaction process and which produces the floorcovering applying a significantly higher pressure. It is only this modified production process which renders possible the innovative appearance of noraplan® astro and which also guarantees consistent colour precision.

Visual effects

The new design is no longer based on a dominating base colour where granules of different sizes, colours and density are integrated. The modern appearance results from a mixture of three equal colour components which are added during the production process as granules in equal parts. The result is a grainy merging of the individual colours whereby the individual colour components still keep their appearance and in addition - as visual special effect - another matching mixed colour is created.

Proven characteristics in improved quality

noraplan® astro is a rubber floorcovering of two millimeter thickness and a mat, unstructured surface. The new floorcovering offers a fascinating scope for accentuation options in demanding objects, thus being suitable e.g. for use in office buildings and public building construction - e.g. in health applications. Since noraplan® astro also belongs to the high performance floorcoverings, it is the ideal solution to attractively design buildings for trade and industry.

The strict quality demands of Freudenberg Bausysteme KG also apply to noraplan® astro. In addition, this innovative floorcovering also possesses the properties characteristic for nora® rubber floorcoverings: This floorcovering is dimensionally stable, does not contain any plasticizers or formaldehyde, can be installed quickly and easily, possesses outstanding fire-protection properties, has excellent footfall sound absorption and is antistatic.

The matching accessories for any colour

Freudenberg offers a complete range of accessories for noraplan® astro: matching all colour shades of the product, a standard skirting as well as hot welding rod and joint sealing compound are available.