FFD will see a revamp for its fifth edition
Flanders Flooring Days will see a major revamp and a wider product mix when it returns for its fifth edition in May. What began as exhibitors hosting buyers at their showrooms
in the area around the Belgian city of Kortrijk, and then welcomed additional exhibitors
to the Kortrijk Xpo centre, will now see showroom participants present a curated part of their collection at the centre alongside inviting visitors to discover the full range in the showrooms.
A free shuttle service will connect the exhibition with the showrooms. The 18-21 May event will also see ceramic tiles, wall and ceiling panels, steel materials and display systems added to flooring, as organisers look to ‘better reflect the evolving market’.
More than 100 brands will present their latest collections and innovations on the
central exhibition floor at Kortrijk Xpo and in showrooms within a 40-minute radius. Decision-makers and buyers from more than 75 countries come to discover new products, gain inspiration and build valuable connections in a unique setting.
Sustainability remains a key theme at Flanders Flooring Days. During the 2026
edition, the event will also host the closing event of Living Lab Carpet, an initiative
that brings together the carpet value chain to address the challenge of carpets at the
end of their life cycle. Living Lab Carpet is supported by VLAIO and Flanders Circular. Over the past few years, partners within the Living Lab have explored concrete ways
to extend the lifespan of carpets. The focus lies on repair, reuse and remanufacturing
as alternatives to waste. During the closing event, visitors will discover practical
solutions and innovative approaches that are already applicable in the sector today.
Through interactive discussions and a Q&A session with the partners involved, visitors will be able to exchange insights and explore the next steps towards a more circular flooring industry.
Alongside product innovation and sustainability, Flanders Flooring Days also highlights the sensory and emotional experience of materials. In collaboration with Fedustria,
the programme features a talk by Katja De Vos. Her lecture explores Our Brain Loves
Wood, a study of the relationship between humans and materials by Professor Steven Laureys and Dr Steven Scholte of the neuroscientific research institute Neurensics.
The research shows that the human brain responds more strongly and positively to interiors in which wood plays a prominent role.
For designers, specifiers and manufacturers the session offers valuable insights into
how material choices contribute to a pleasant and sustainable living environment.
