I4F Forms Partnership with PurChem Systems

Turnhout, Belgium, April 4, 2025-I4F, a group of companies providing patents and technologies to the flooring industry, has entered into a technology partnership agreement with PurChem Systems for its patented technologies, including SilentTouch and OneLayer. 

These provide significant advantages over traditional laminate flooring as well as decorative furniture panels, and greatly improve in-room acoustics. Additionally, innovative technologies make panels softer to the touch as well as fingerprint and footprint resistant. As part of the agreement, i4F obtains exclusive licensing rights to PurChem’s patented technologies.

Headquartered in Brantford, Ontario, PurChem is a Canadian company specializing in innovative, formaldehyde-free adhesives and coatings for wood-based products, including flooring, furniture, and composite panels. PurChem has developed, and owns, various breakthrough technologies, including SilentTouch, OneLayer, DryCoat, and FlexWood elastic panels.

SilentTouch enhances laminate surfaces to look, feel, and sound like natural wood, offering a durable, noise-reducing, and sustainable alternative for flooring and furniture. SilentTouch treated overlay papers are elastic, enabling HDF panels to be relaxed and stress-free as well as flexible and up to 50% thinner than traditional laminate. The patented elastomer treated paper layers also absorb room and footfall sound energy. Traditional melamine laminate surfaces amplify and reflect sound energy up to ten times more (+10 dB louder) than SilentTouch. OneLayer is an innovative coating system that simplifies production by applying a single, high-performance layer to surfaces, enhancing durability, aesthetics, and efficiency while reducing material and energy use.