BBL signs two new i4F license agreements for CeraGrout® and HerringB/ONE

• BBL starts producing SPC ceramic-look tiles using i4F CeraGrout technology

• i4F HerringB/ONE one panel system replacing BBL’s A/B herringbone collections

• Adds to BBL’s existing drop-lock license

BOOTH #2447 SURFACES, LAS VEGAS, USA – i4F®, a group of companies providing patents and technologies to the global flooring industry, today announced that Jiangsu BBL Home Technology Company Limited (BBL) has signed two additional i4F license agreements. One license covers i4F CeraGrout®, a ceramic-tile imitation technology featuring an integrated, pre-attached grout. The second license is for HerringB/ONE, i4F’s single-panel herringbone installation system. These new agreements follow BBL’s existing i4F license for drop-lock technologies, further broadening the scope of a long-standing relationship.

With over thirty years of experience, BBL is a leading manufacturer of laminate, engineered wood and rigid core vinyl flooring, with facilities located in China and Vietnam. Its products are exported to 128 countries worldwide. BBL is now producing i4F CeraGrout enhanced SPC tiles featuring an i4F drop-lock installation system. In parallel, the company is progressively transitioning its herringbone portfolios to i4F’s HerringB/ONE system, replacing existing A/B panel-based collections over time.

i4F CeraGrout, available for floors and walls, mimics perfectly the aesthetics of modern ‘rectified’ ceramic tiles with an integrated grout. Fully waterproof, CeraGrout-enhanced tiles are extremely durable and deliver superior resistance to wear and tear, stains, and chemical household agents. Panels are significantly easier to install, remove, and replace than traditional ceramic tiles.

i4F’s HerringB/ONE, is a highly intuitive installation drop-lock technology that eliminates the need for A/B panels enabling herringbone patterns to be installed using one panel type only. This greatly simplifies installation, production, logistics, and stock management, while ensuring precise alignment and a highly aesthetic visual result.

Linda Zhang, Chairman, at BBL, says, “Beautiful, easy-to-install and maintain floors in timeless designs like ceramics and herringbone patterns continue to grow in popularity. Our relationship with i4F, enables us to meet this demand with forward-looking solutions quickly and effectively. CeraGrout not only delivers the authentic look of traditional ceramic tiles in any color, it also provides a more robust, practical solution that’s better than the real thing. HerringB/ONE enables faster, simpler production and installation of a real flooring classic.”

Commenting on the new agreements, John Rietveldt, i4F’s CEO, adds, “We value long-standing relationships with partners who take a strategic view on innovation. BBL’s decision to expand its i4F license portfolio with both CeraGrout and HerringB/ONE reflects a shared commitment to developing technologies that anticipate market demand and deliver practical benefits. Our strategy is to empower manufacturers with choice by offering them an “a la carte” menu from seven technology clusters. They can select the best options to evolve their business as well as open up new revenue streams as trends evolve.”