The Development History of WPC Flooring
An Unforeseen Product of the Atomic Energy Era
In 1960, American scientists Canaga and Karbov accidentally made history in the laboratory.
They employed the gamma-ray radiation technology to inject liquid olefin-based monomers into the wood pores and trigger the polymerization reaction. For the first time, they successfully produced high-performance wood-polymer composites (abbreviated as WPC).
This technology was designated as a key project for "peaceful utilization of atomic energy" by the United States Atomic Energy Commission. In 1964, it was even honored as one of the "Top Ten Scientific Achievements in the World".
The process of technology commercialization
the year 1966
The Bowling division of the American AMF company has built the world's first WPC production line. It uses catalytic heating to process methyl methacrylate (MMA), and the products are mainly targeted at the high-end billiard stick market.
the year1968
ARCO Chemical Company has launched WPC flooring for gamma-ray production. Its wear resistance is 8-10 times that of ordinary floors and it can withstand cigarette burns. It has quickly gained popularity in public places such as airports and dance halls.
The 1970s
Shanghai University of Science and Technology in China and Nanjing Forestry University jointly conducted WPC research. They successfully replaced imported rosewood with willow-based WPC to manufacture guqin rods and pipa backboards. The monthly output once reached 10,000 pieces (production was halted in 1979 due to poor market demand).
The 2000s
Due to the high cost of chemical raw materials and the difficulty in process control, China did not achieve large-scale production until the early 2000s and entered a technical bottleneck period.
the year 2005
In Cologne, Germany, a new generation of WPC flooring was born. It uses a heat-pressing technology that combines wood fibers with high-molecular nano materials, completely eliminating the use of formaldehyde-based adhesives.
2011 - Present
This product has become extremely popular in Europe and America. Many Chinese enterprises have introduced it and then launched the "Queen Street" series, achieving "glue-free manufacturing" and synchronous wood grain pressing technology. The wear resistance speed has exceeded 10,000 revolutions.
Just like combining the resilience of trees with the durability of plastic, the story of WPC is an epitome of humanity's pursuit of balance between nature and technology. When stepping onto the wooden walkway on the balcony, beneath that warm touch lies the legacy of an atomic energy laboratory spanning 60 years.
