Armstrong, Valinge Agree on Combined Technology

Lancaster, PA and Viken, Sweden, March 13, 2008--Armstrong World Industries Inc. and Välinge Innovation AB have have signed a licensing agreement so that Välinge can use Armstrong’s NextGen locking engineered wood technology

NextGen technology incorporates Välinge’s mechanical locking system to certain engineered wood to provide a more dimensionally stable engineered wood floor with higher tolerance to moisture and climate changes.

Now both Armstrong and Välinge can offer this technology to third parties.

"As a result of this agreement, all existing and future Välinge wood licensees will benefit from this increased patent coverage." says Darko Pervan CEO of Välinge

Armstrong’s patent covers engineered, multi-layer hardwood flooring where the locking tongue and grooves cut through more than two layers of the structure, or that has a tongue thicker than any layer in the structure.

NextGen structure technology is available in two lines of locking hardwood

Armstrong has been a Välinge licensee since 2003 for wood and laminate flooring and has been selling laminate flooring products with a Välinge- patented mechanical locking system since 2000.