Shape

The Collection magazine

Muted colours, gloss and wood / How ideas become innovations / Green industry / Materials in practice

Welcome

Customer needs change, new trends flow into planning and work processes, change is our daily companion. How can we best respond to this?

Through innovation.

At EGGER, we are guided by your product and process requirements when it comes to innovation. Coupled with a curiosity for new things, a solid entrepreneurial mindset and a passion for design, we transform ideas into tangible solutions. Take a look behind the scenes of our innovation management below!

In this issue, you can also discover additional EGGER highlights from the Decorative Collection 24+, which will provide you with inspiration across all products –from furniture to flooring. Many of these products are the result of innovative ideas that you can bring to life in your projects. Because as Thomas Edison once said: “The value of an idea lies in the using of it.”

Enjoy reading

Collection highlights

Muted colours

Metallics

Light woods

Flooring

Stories

Innovation ideasmith meets flash of inspiration

Idea management From an idea to implementation

Sustainability: No sooner said than done

Time for explorers Collection highlights

How wonderful it is to discover something new among the tried-and-tested. Hidden highlights that inspire and open up new possibilities. Look beneath the surface, think in terms of holistic concepts when designing your projects. Join us on a journey of discovery through the Decorative Collection 24+ and the smart EGGER product world.

EGGER products used: H1367 ST40 Light Natural Casella Oak

All our shown and mentioned decors are reproductions.

Muted colours

Colour artists

Rooms that are not only seen, but felt – that is the magic of our muted colours. Gentle harmony creates the perfect framework for contemporary design, while elegant accents draw the eye and define the style of the room. If you take inspiration from this, your clients will understand that craftsmanship is an art.

EGGER products used: U125 ST9 Sand Yellow, U335 ST9 Rusty Red, U502 ST9 Misty Blue, U604 ST9 Reed Green, H3317 ST28 Brown Cuneo Oak, H8912 ST10 Multiplex Walnut, EL2064 Natural Soria Oak

EGGER products used: U502 ST9 Misty Blue, W1000 ST9

Premium White, EPL012 Dark Rillington Oak

Muted colours in the EGGER Capsule concept

Subtle uni colours are making a comeback in interior design and furniture construction. With their neutral character, they are perfect companions for authentic wood surfaces and provide an appropriate stage for accents in black or white. So it’s no wonder that they are used in various EGGER Capsule concepts. “We are seeing a trend towards soft green and blue tones. Green is closely linked to the megatrend of sustainability and is ideal for creating biophilic designs,” explains Klaus Monhoff, Head of Decor and Design Management. “Shades from light to dark can be found in our Muted Greens Capsule and can be combined particularly well with natural light wood variants or rough textile looks.”

More on Muted Colours:

Biophilic design

promotes the connection between people and nature by integrating natural materials such as wood and plants, as well as organic shapes. This creates interior spaces that increase well-being, reduce stress and promote creativity. Biophilic design generates a pleasant, healthy environment that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

All our shown and mentioned decors are reproductions.

Metallics Light play masters

A room that invites you in. Where people are welcome and feel at ease, the subtle lustre of metallic surfaces combines with the organic lines of wood and stone. No expensive luxury, but carefully applied metallic decors from the Decorative Collection 24+ and your ability to make the most of the interplay between light, material, elegance and warmth. High-end lifestyle, forged by you.

EGGER products used: U599 PM Indigo Blue, F121 ST87 Anthracite Metal Rock, F528 ST20 Bronze Brushed Metal, U999 PM Black, EL2970 Natural North Oak

EGGER products used: H3176 ST37 Pewter Halifax Oak, F434 ST20 Cubanite Steelbrush

Trend radar metallics

Metallic decors have long left behind the clinical, cool appearance of professional kitchens and have found their way into the subtle upgrading of wood or stone reproductions and uni surfaces. They are given a shimmer that makes them particularly easy to combine. In the EGGER Hospitality Warm Materials

Capsule, metallics offset the rustic appearance of warm wood tones. This adds a touch of refined elegance to public areas and catering spaces in particular. Professional tip: Metallic accent edging is truly eye-catching and goes perfectly with other EGGER products for furniture and interior design. Be inspired!

More on Metallics:

EGGER products used: F527 ST20 Golden Brushed Metal, F206 ST9 Black Pietra Grigia

EGGER Capsule Concept

The next generation of excellent decor consulting –that is the EGGER Capsule concept. Derived from the “Capsule Wardrobe”, in which a few but valuable items of clothing can be combined in a variety of ways, we use this concept for the presentation of new decor introductions and thus provide recommendations for a wide range of applications, trend themes and combination options – for maximum design freedom and flexibility.

All

Light woods Nature awakeners

What makes rooms breathe and come alive? The airy connection to nature and the courage to use different light colours. After all, a striking effect is not created by overloading, but rather by wellconsidered use of valuable elements that really matter. With soft wood tones, you can achieve the timeless elegance that characterises truly outstanding designs. In this way, you create a sustainable interface between the interior and nature.

EGGER products used: H1362 ST12 Light Baronia Oak, U211 ST9 Almond Beige, EL1242 Natural Sheffield Acacia

EGGER products used: H1710 ST10 Sand Kentucky Chestnut, EL1000 Light Berdal Oak

Light colours, great effect

Wood effects are not going out of fashion, but their appearance is changing. In the Decorative Collection 24+, Cuneo Oak takes the lead with softly integrated sapwood elements and very fine knots for a particularly realistic natural look, which is also emphasised haptically by the synchronised surface texture ST28 Feelwood Nature. The fine play of colours in the grain between sandcoloured and greyed wood tones (in the H3311 colour version) or honeycoloured and greyed wood tones (in the H3317 version) makes this decor exceptionally easy to combine. If you prefer a lighter colour or even white, go for Trondheim Ash. Nordic restraint in the ST12 Omnipore variant or as beige-warm Sevilla Ash with the ST19 Deepskin Elegance surface texture.

EGGER products used: H1732 ST9 Sand Birch, EPL012 Dark Rillington Oak

The art of nuances

White tones in all shades from cool to warm are suitable for the perfect staging of wood surfaces. White through to beige combines a classic, timeless look with popular trends and offers numerous design possibilities:

Mixed white: Combining several nuances of white is on trend and creates exciting spatial depth without relying on colour.

White as a canvas for accents: Muted white or light beige tones are suitable as a neutral background for furniture or accessories. They enhance the effect of accent colours and create a modern, harmonious look.

Textures in white: The use of textiles and materials such as linen, wool or marble in white emphasises different textures in the room, adding warmth and variety to the minimalist style. No two white tones are the same. In our white matrix, you will find the perfect tone to accompany your designs.

More on the White Matrix:

Decor used: H3311 TM28 Bleached Cuneo Oak

All

Flooring

Harmony designer

Floors are the stage for your designs. In open-plan living areas in particular, the floor brings the rooms together and sets the creative pace. Whether you are looking for harmonious colour combinations or perfect decor matches – using Interior Match, you will find solutions for harmonising furniture, interior design and floor coverings. This gives every room a holistic character.

EGGER products used: H1367 ST40 Light Natural Casella Oak, EL2151 Light Natural Casella Oak

5 good reasons to choose the EGGER Flooring Collection 25+

1. Versatile functionality: high-quality, wood-based flooring with a wide selection of decors, formats and textures

2. Budget-friendly all-rounders: NatureSense and the water-resistant laminate floors NatureSense Aqua and Aqua+ for residential and commercial use

3. Classics with style: NatureSense Herringbone floors combine the resilience of laminate with the nobility of parquet flooring

4. Water-resistant hybrid floors: AquaDura and AquaDura+ without PVC and plasticisers, but with the unique matt-touch surface and an integrated underlay mat made of natural fibres

EGGER products used: F800 ST9 Crystal Marble, H1227 TM12

Brown Abano Ash, EL1012 Alexandria Pine

The Flooring Collection 25+:

EGGER products used: H1386 ST40 Brown Casella Oak, U599 PM Indigo Blue, EL2190 Turin Oak Top right: F229 ST75 Cremona Marble, EDF300 Cremona Marble Centre right: H1204 TM22 Light Natural Lugano Ash, EL2240 Light Avio Ash

Connection and harmony

Choosing the right floor covering is not just about design, but also about the degreeof stress and functionality, depending on the location. The floor’s surface has a decisive influence on the character of a room. The interior design can be guided by this in order to create an optimal sense of space. EGGER approaches this topic from two directions as part of Interior Match. The two concepts Decor Match and Colour Match offer architectural offices and carpentries different options for creating finely coordinated interior designs.

More on Interior Match:

If the decors match, you can’t really go wrong. But not all decors are the same and can have different effects depending on the product. Furniture, for example, does not require an overlay, whereas floors and worktops do – this influences the colour of the end products. The gloss level of the surface and the angle of installation –worktops and floors are horizontal, kitchen fronts are vertical – also play a role. However, these aspects have been tested and taken into account in Decor Match and offer maximum planning security.

“Interior Match is not about 100% matching furniture and flooring – it’s about creating harmonious spaces in an elegant way.”

Klaus Monhoff, Head of Decor and Design Management

Design highlight: the herringbone look

Colour harmony – Colour Match

A harmonious room effect can also be achieved through colour matching. The character of the floor covering and the furniture decor is not necessarily the same, but they do match. EGGER provides its customers with a practical matrix in which the matches can be quickly and easily identified.

EGGER now offers 38 Decor Matches and 14 Colour Matches in the Interior Match matrix – and new ones are added every year. Flooring in a classic herringbone look is a special highlight. The decor in Casella Oak is the ideal choice wherever this design cannot be laid using real wood parquet. The matt synchronised texture brings this flooring visually very close to the natural material, but also offers all the functional advantages of EGGER flooring and is part of the Interior Match.

EL2152 Natural Casella Oak H1385 ST40 Natural Casella Oak

Shaping the future Stories

Sustainable success comes from curiosity, openness, reflection and further development. This is the only way we can remain equipped for the future. What ideas drive us and how do we fully utilise their potential? Take a look behind the scenes.

Innovation

ideasmith

Once upon a time – an unfulfilled need, a smart solution and a successful business model. This is how success stories begin. At EGGER, one of these stories is called PerfectSense® Lacquered Boards and is told by Andreas Schrefl and Franz-Josef Susewind.

meets flash of inspiration

The drivers of innovation are many and varied. Sometimes it is changing customer needs or trends, sometimes it is technological advances and market requirements. “Around ten years ago, the demand for glossy and matt surfaces without the annoying fingerprint problem increased in the wood materials industry. Handleless fronts were becoming increasingly popular at this time and we realised – also thanks to feedback from our customers – that the right product was missing from our portfolio,” recalls

Franz-Josef Susewind. A solution was needed, so the requirements of the market were analysed in detail, other high-gloss products were examined closely, quality standards were defined and an economical implementation was considered. The resulting target image then made its way to the Competence Centre, the in-house ideasmiths. The result was the first member of the PerfectSense family, the PerfectSense Gloss Lacquered MDF, which is still successful today. But let us start at the beginning.

Innovation has always been a high priority at EGGER. New developments and, in particular, the further development of products, processes and services are largely geared towards customer benefits and are therefore the basis for long-term profitability. However, many creative minds need a clearly structured process in which ideas can grow, innovations can flourish and real products can emerge. “Ideas from employees have always been more than welcome. They used to end up in the postbox at the respective plants, but today they reach us digitally via the ideas and innovation management system,” says Andreas Schrefl.

From idea to innovation

Once an idea has entered the innovation process, it is scrutinised for its potential. Is it a possible improvement at plant level? A further development of existing products or services? Or is a completely new development on the horizon? “We always consider these aspects in the context of the company’s strategic goals,” explains Schrefl. The innovation should fit in with the EGGER portfolio and take the company forward in the long term. “Ideas also come from internal working groups, which constantly provide input into the process via technology screenings, findings from trials and feedback from the market. This is not necessarily about product innovations. A large proportion also comes from process and technology areas. Our customers benefit from this indirectly, for example through optimised product characteristics or sustainable production technology.”

“Not every idea is automatically an innovation. The innovation process helps us bring the right ones to life.”

Andreas Schrefl, Head of Competence Centre

“You don’t just need luck, you also need colleagues with the right instinct.”

Franz-Josef Susewind, Management Product Management Furniture and Interior Design

Ready for series production

But back to PerfectSense. The product requirements for the new surface finish were clearly defined. However, no acceptable solution could be found with the technologies known to date. So a young team of lacquer engineers took up the challenge and, after a short development phase, presented the first samples. Long story short: the idea and prototypes were approved, a facility ready for series production was built and today the PerfectSense product family is one of the market leaders.

Success runs in the family

Wait a minute. Family? “The sibling of the PerfectSense Gloss Lacquered MDF was not far behind and was actually a happy accident discovered by our lacquer engineers,” says the Head of Product Management with delight. In keeping with the notion of “trying a different texturing agent”, the PerfectSense Matt

Lacquered MDF was created, which today accounts by far for the majority of business and has also perfected the anti-fingerprint functionality. “Today, we are talking about a large PerfectSense family. This innovation also has an impact on other product groups at EGGER. Similar surface technologies have benefited from the development process, different quality levels have been established and, last but not least, we have brought texture to the lacquer in line with the desire for a tactile feel.”

A process that pays off

You have to constantly adapt to growing and changing market requirements. This is only possible with a well-oiled and established innovation process. This ensures that ideas are heard, discussed and evaluated. That everyone can make their contribution and that goals and tasks are clearly allocated at the same time. This includes both making progress and knowing what is better left untouched. Because only if you drive developments in the right direction will there be a happy ending.

Idea management

From an idea to implementation

It is always worth thinking about improvements. If there is a process for this, it pays off in terms of efficiency and effectiveness.

Idea

Number of ideas submitted company-wide per year

Prozesse

Bedürfnisse

creative minds and idea generators per year

Technologie

Innovationsfelder

Processes

Technology

Requirements

Fields of innovation

Erfassung

“The best innovation was to establish the Innovation Centre with a clearly structured idea management system.”

Hannes Mitterweissacher, Chief Technology Officer EGGER Group

Implementation

Plausibilität Nutzen

Collection

Decision

Evaluation

Consistently sustainable: The EGGER headquarters in St. Johann, Austria, operate in accordance with low-energy standards.

No sooner said than done Sustainability

At a time when industry and the environment are often seen as opposites, EGGER is clearly living the vision of sustainable management that company founder Fritz Egger had in mind already back in 1961: to be a manufacturing company that takes ecological, economic and social responsibility equally seriously. The principle of green industry plays a central role in this.

Green industry means that within the framework of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, industry is also obliged to act more sustainably. Specifically, green industry at EGGER means combining economic growth with ecological responsibility and organising industrial processes in a climate-friendly, resource-conserving and socially responsible way. An attitude and an approach that EGGER has firmly anchored in its corporate DNA. It is therefore not surprising that green industry is one of five focus areas within the woodbased materials specialist’s sustainability strategy.

Green industry in practice

EGGER adopts a wide range of measures to fulfil its commitment to sustainability-oriented development in practice: from increasing energy and resource efficiency to reducing emissions and waste. EGGER uses clean and environmentally friendly technologies at its production plants, such as advanced air pollution control and noise protection systems or energy-efficient machines. At the same time, the advantages of automation and digitalisation – including artificial intelligence – are used to continuously optimise production processes. The company is not only a pioneer in the engineered wood industry, but also a driver of sustainable innovation.

Pioneering projects

Various investments and further developments at EGGER plants worldwide provide examples of this transformation. Recently, for example, the plant in Gifhorn in Germany was expanded and brought up to the latest state of the art. New systems with improved exhaust air purification and reduced energy requirements were installed. 876 solar panels were installed on 2,500 square metres of roof space in a new hall, making an important contribution to sustainable energy supply. At the Barony plant in Scotland, gas consumption was drastically reduced by using energy optimisation software. The annual saving is equivalent to the gas consumption of 200 single-family homes. A success that both protects the environment and reduces operating costs.

Every step counts

Logistics also makes a green contribution: wherever possible, the required glue is transported by rail. In Germany, EGGER transports 80% of the glue from its own resin plant in Wismar to the plant in Brilon by rail. This significantly reduces lorry journeys and CO₂ emissions. The new logistics centre in Gebze, Turkey, relies on a high degree of automation that minimises plant traffic. The energy required in the logistics centre is covered entirely by solar energy – another step towards climate-friendly processes.

These and numerous other projects show that, for EGGER, sustainable management is not just an aspiration, but a lived practice. With its consistent focus on the goals of green industry, the company shows how responsibility and innovation can go hand in hand. And thus not only remains true to its tradition, but also actively shapes a sustainable future for generations to come.

© Ramon Haindl

Visions become reality Projects

Innovation is the key to conceptualising and designing contemporary living spaces. Always in focus: changing customer needs, technical developments and new design trends.

Full of plans

Second home and dream job

Location: St. Johann, Austria

Exterior design: Architekturbüro Metzner ZT

Modern interior design meets appreciation in Aufschnaiter’s new employee house A-HOME. Six flats have been created in a straight-lined, Nordic style in an old farmhouse, inviting employees from afar to St. Johann in Tirol.

All our shown and mentioned decors are reproductions.

Genuine welcoming culture

“Our objective was to offer potential employees an incentive to apply to our furniture store or joinery without having to worry about accommodation,” explains Hans Aufschnaiter. Together with local trade partners and EGGER materials, it was possible to create a cosy living space that reflects the team’s passion for architecture and interior design within a short construction period.

Made to measure to save space

The challenge was to use smart planning to create the best living experience in the smallest possible space of between 30 and 40 square metres. To achieve this, most of the interior design was customised in the in-house joinery to make the best use of the space and create sufficient storage. At the same time, the focus was on well-being: Natural materials and fine design details welcome residents to their new home.

EGGER products used in all illustrations: H1385 ST40 Natural Casella Oak, F528 ST20 Bronze Brushed Metal, F417 ST10 Textile Grey, U963 ST9 Diamond Grey

Go to the case study Hanza Tower: EGGER products used: W1100 PG Alpine White

Living above the clouds

Location: Stettin/Szczecin, Poland

At 30 storeys high, the Hanza Tower is one of the tallest buildings in the heart of Szczecin (Poland). In addition to luxurious flats, the skyscraper also houses a modern conference centre and an exclusive wellness area. For the best view, travellers and business people can book fully equipped flats on the top floor.

Comfort and design

Over 60 square metres, interior designer RBW House has realised a dream using the finest EGGER materials. The black of the kitchen front adds more depth to the room. Light grey was used for the cabinet fronts of the kitchen island, while walnut acts as a warm counterpoint. This in turn harmonises with large grey tiles in the bathroom. The colour scheme continues in the bedroom and creates a calm, harmonious room atmosphere. An oasis with a breathtaking view over the city.

EGGER products used: H1714 ST19 Lincoln Walnut, U999 PG Black

EGGER products used: H3702 ST10 Tobacco Pacific Walnut, U708 PM Light Grey, H1714 ST19 Lincoln Walnut, U999 PG Black | Below: U708 PM Light Grey

Impulses Tips trendsand

“A network of different sources of information and inspiration helps us keep up with the times – or even be one step ahead.”

is a globally unique network of renowned companies that thinks about colour in a new and holistic way. Combination options with materials, colour psychology, transparency and sustainability play a key role in this. The network, of which EGGER is also a member, has set itself the goal of supporting planners, interior designers, contractors and end users in their choice of products, and providing impetus for improving sustainability in the industry.

Verena Michels, Decor Management Expert at EGGER and member of the COLORNETWORK® team of experts

Leading international trade fairs

interzum Held every two years, this is the world’s most important meeting place for the furniture manufacturing and interior design industry. 20 to 23 May 2025 | www.interzum.com

London Design Fair with EGGER Showroom

London calling! The UK’s largest and most influential design fair.

1 Dallington St, London, EC1V 0BH, UK 10 to 14 March 2025 | www.londondesignfair.co.uk

Salone Internazionale del Mobile

This is the leading trade fair for the furnishing and design industry since 1961. 8 to 13 April 2025 | www.salonemilano.it

Design Shanghai Together with the Sustainable Design China Summit and Design Shenzhen, this is the largest network of annual design fairs in Asia. 4 to 7 June 2025 | www.designshanghai.com

Dutch Design Week

The largest design event in the Netherlands with exhibitions, awards and a congress provides new, innovative perspectives every year – and not just on interiors and interior design.

18 to 26 October 2025 | www.ddw.nl

Book recommendation

Nexus – A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI Networks are not an invention of modern times, but modern times have perfected networks and made them available to many: from the search engine to artificial intelligence. Yuval Noah Harari gives a historical overview of the emergence of networks and shows where blind trust in networks harbours dangers.

Hardcover, 656 pages

ISBN: 978-3-328-60375-7

What is innovation?

Innovation is the driving force behind economic and social developments. You can find a good overview of innovation, what it means and how to align organisations with innovation in McKinsey’s exciting blog.

McKinsey Insights:

EGGER on the Sustainability Boulevard, interzum 2023

Imprint

Publisher FRITZ EGGER GmbH & Co. OG

Holzwerkstoffe

Weiberndorf 20 6380 St. Johann in Tirol

Austria

t +43 50 600-0 f +43 50 600-10111 info-sjo@egger.com

Project Manager

Katarina Petrovic, Silvia Binder

Concept, editing, design

Lighthouse GmbH www.lighthouse.de

Publication date Spring 2025

Remarks

Please send your comments, requests and comments to shape@egger.com

Service Centre Austria +43 800 888 111 sc.at@egger.com

FRITZ EGGER GmbH & Co. OG Holzwerkstoffe

Weiberndorf 20 6380 St. Johann in Tirol

Austria

t +43 50 600 - 0

Service Centre Germany +49 800 344 3745 sc.de@egger.com

EGGER Holzwerkstoffe Brilon GmbH & Co. KG

Im Kissen 19 59929 Brilon

Germany

t +49 2961 770 - 0

Service, advice and more: All our shown and mentioned decors are reproductions. Due to variables in the printing process, colours may vary slightly from the actual product. Colour-matching decor selection is only possible on the original sample. Subject to technical modifications and printing errors.

Service Centre Switzerland

+41 41 349 50 05 sc.ch@egger.com

EGGER Holzwerkstoffe

Schweiz GmbH Rosenstrasse 2 6010 Kriens

Switzerland t +41 41 349 50 00