Flooring system.

Abstract

Flooring system, comprising: - a flooring material (1) having a content of polyvinyl chloride; - an adhesive substance (15) for bonding the flooring material to a substrate (16); - one or more yellowing-limiting compounds incorporated into the adhesive substance (15) and / or into one or more layers (2) of the flooring material (1).

Description

[0001] Flooring system.

[0002] The present invention relates to a flooring system. In particular , it relates to such flooring systems that comprise a flooring material, and an adhesive substance for bonding the flooring material to a substrate such as a subfloor of concrete, gypsum, wood or other.

[0003] Such flooring systems are widely known per se, for example from EP 3 348 420. In the case of EP’420 the flooring material may be a sheet vinyl flooring comprising a content of thermoplastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride. The sheet vinyl flooring comprises a backing layer, a print layer, a wear layer, and potentially an uppermost lacquer layer. Such sheet vinyl flooring may yellow in use, especially at places where the flooring is shielded from sunlight.

[0004] WO 2023 / 073,160 discloses that contaminants migrating from the subfloor may deteriorate the mechanical and aesthetical properties of a PVC based flooring material. In order to solve this issue WO’ 160 proposes to include a barrier layer of polyvinyl alcohol and a polyisocyanate derivative. The incorporation of a barrier layer into the flooring material may require large alterations in production, and special measures may be needed ensure the needed delamination resistance. A barrier layer may lead to accumulation of said contaminants at the boundary with said barrier layer, which may in itself be problematic.

[0005] The present invention in the first place aims at providing an alternative flooring system, wherein, in accordance with one or more preferred embodiments, a solution is offered to one or more of the problems with the flooring systems of the state of the art.

[0006] With this aim, the present invention, in accordance with its first independent aspect, is a flooring system, comprising:

[0007] - a flooring material comprising one or more layers, preferably having a content of a thermoplastic material, such as polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylate, polyethylene terephthalate; - an adhesive substance for bonding the flooring material to a substrate;

[0008] - one or more yellowing-limiting compounds incorporated into the adhesive substance and / or into said one or more layers of the flooring material.

[0009] A yellow-limiting compound is a chemical product that may react to, or otherwise interact with, contaminants migrating through the flooring material and neutralize these contaminants. The inventor has found that yellow-limiting compounds are more effective than a physical barrier layer. Moreover, accumulation of contaminants may be prevented.

[0010] Preferably, in the cases where said yellow-limiting compounds are incorporated into one or more layers of the flooring material, these yellow-limiting compounds are dispersed within one or more of these layers, wherein the one or more respective layers also comprise the material that said flooring material is basically or essentially made from. For example, the one more respective layers also comprise the thermoplastic material or the polyvinyl chloride, as the case may be. In other words, preferably, said yellowlimiting compounds do not in themselves form a layer, but are dispersed within a layer also comprising non yellow-limiting compounds, such as thermoplastic material, for example polyvinyl chloride, acrylic substances, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene.

[0011] By using yellow-limiting compounds, preferably not arranged in a layer or not forming a layer, but freely or randomly dispersed within a layer, accumulation of neutralized contaminants can be largely avoided.

[0012] Preferably, said flooring material is a sheet flooring, for example a sheet vinyl flooring. Preferably, the sheet flooring or sheet vinyl flooring comprises a backing layer, a print layer, a wear layer, and potentially an uppermost lacquer layer. Herein, said backing layer preferably forms at least half of the thickness of said flooring material. Preferably, at least the backing layer and the wear layer comprise said thermoplastic material, preferably polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and / or plasticizer. Said backing layer may be provided as a whether or not foamed PVC plastisol with a glass fiber liner embedded therein. Said print layer may comprise a layer of inks applied by performing a printing operation, e.g. with roller printing or digital inkjet printing, on said backing layer. Potentially said print layer may further comprise preparatory layers, such as background or primer layers, for example comprising plastisol as well, whereupon said layer of inks is applied. Said wear layer may be provided as a PVC plastisol or as a prefabricated transparent PVC film. Said optional uppermost lacquer layer may be an acrylic based and / or polyurethane based lacquer layer.

[0013] When a liner is embedded in said backing layer, preferably said yellow-limiting compounds are at least present at a position in the flooring system that is below said liner, for example in a portion of said backing layer that is below said liner. Preferably, said yellow-limiting compounds are absent at a position in the flooring system that is above said liner. In the latter case, the risk that neutralized contaminants may still cause yellowing at the surface of the flooring material is limited.

[0014] Said backing layer may be filled with filler materials such as inorganic materials, such as calcium carbonate, chalk, limestone, talcum.

[0015] Preferably, the bottom of said backing layer may form the bottom of said flooring material that is in contact with said adhesive substance. Alternatively, a textile padding may be available at the bottom of said backing layer. The inventors have found that the availability of a textile padding may further delay the yellowing at the surface of the flooring material, since it creates a physical barrier for the migration of any contaminants available in the adhesive substance.

[0016] Such sheet flooring may be delivered from a roll.

[0017] Preferably, said flooring material, more particularly said sheet flooring, has a total thickness of from 1.8 to 3 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.

[0018] Alternatively, said flooring material is a so-called glue-down or dry back flooring panel, preferably comprising a content of a thermoplastic material, such as PVC and / or plasticizer. Preferably such glue-down or dry back flooring panel comprises a backing layer of PVC, plasticizers and filler materials, such as the mentioned inorganic materials, calcium carbonate, chalk, limestone and / or talcum. Preferably, said backing layer forms at least half of the thickness of the flooring panel. Said backing layer is preferably not foamed, but may be foamed. On top of the backing, there may be provided a print layer, a wear layer and an uppermost lacquer layer. The print layer may comprise a printed thermoplastic film, such as a printed PVC film, or comprise a layer of inks applied by performing a printing operation, e.g. with roller printing or digital inkjet printing, on said backing layer. The print layer may further comprise preparatory layers, such as background or primer layers, whereupon said layer of inks is applied. Said wear layer may be provided as a PVC plastisol or as a prefabricated transparent PVC film. Said optional uppermost lacquer layer may be an acrylic based or a polyurethane based lacquer layer.

[0019] In particular in the cases where said yellow-limiting compounds are at least incorporated in one or more layers of the flooring material, it is preferred that these yellow-limiting compounds may mitigate yellowing effects induced by as many types of adhesive substance applied by the user or installer as possible. In such case prescription of adhesive substances approved for use with a flooring material can be avoided, and subsequent risks of yellowing minimized.

[0020] Four basic possibilities for said yellow-limiting compounds are herein proposed, without desiring to be exhaustive, wherein a combination of two or more of said basic possibilities is preferred.

[0021] According to a first possibility, preferably said yellowing-limiting compounds are or comprise perchlorates. Perchlorates are able to neutralize, or react with frequently encountered contaminants, such as with amines or chemical compounds comprising an amino-group. The inventor has realized that amines may be the source of yellowing in the absence of sunlight, since amines can degenerate under the influence of sunlight, such that the problem of yellowing is non-existent or far less prevalent on parts of the flooring material that are exposed to sunlight. The inventors have further found that perchlorates tend to have a bleaching effect already in production, such that it may counteract yellowing induced by other compounds, for example by yellow-limiting compounds of any of the other possibilities listed herein.

[0022] For example, the perchlorates may be selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, and sodium perchlorate. In other words said perchlorates may be obtained by using a salt containing perchlorate.

[0023] According to a second possibility, as an alternative for, or in combination with, perchlorate, anti-oxidants including vitamin E, vitamin C, citric acid, BHA (ButylHydroxyAnisol) and BHT (ButylHydroxy Toluene), may be applied. Anti-oxidants may be able to neutralize a wide range of contaminants.

[0024] According to a third possibility, as a further alternative, or in combination with perchlorate and / or anti-oxidants, phosphites, hydrotalcite ( Mg6A12(CO3)(OH)16 4(H2O) ), magnesiumstearate (Mg(C18H3502)2), zeolite or epoxidized compounds may be applied. Said phosphite may be obtained by using a salt containing a phosphite ion, for example one or more of sodium phosphite pentahydrate (Na2HPO3 5H2O). (NH4)2HPO3 H20, CuHP03 H20, SnHP03 and A12(HPO3)3 4H2O.

[0025] According to a fourth possibility, as a further alternative, or in combination with one or more of perchlorate, anti-oxidants and phosphites, a metalhydroxide may be applied, for example a metalhydroxide chosen from the list consisting of Ca(0H)2, Mg(0H)2 and Al(0H)3. The inventors have found that such metal hydroxides are very effective in delaying yellowing. With certain metal hydroxides, such as with Mg(0H)2, a fire retarding effect may be obtained as well.

[0026] As a first possible combination between the above first till fourth possibilities, a metal hydroxide of said fourth possibility is applied as a carrier material for any of said perchlorates, phosphites or anti-oxidants, as mentioned in said first till third possibility. For example a perchlorate can be brought in a watery dispersion or solution and sprayed on said metal hydroxide, for example on Ca(0H)2 to form a polyvalent yellow-limiting compound. The inventors have found that such combination of perchlorate and metal hydroxide is very effective in neutralizing contaminants and / or delaying yellowing, while the initial yellowing in production is reduced due to the bleaching effect of said perchlorate.

[0027] In the above first possible combination preferably 70 to 90wt% consist of said metal hydroxide, while the remainder is essentially said perchlorate, phosphite and / or antioxidant. Preferably the second component is sodium perchlorate.

[0028] As a second possible combination between the above first till fourth possibilities, a zeolite, hydrotalcite or magnesium stearate of said third possibility is applied as a carrier material for any of said perchlorates, phosphites or anti-oxidants, as mentioned in said first till third possibility. For example a perchlorate can be brought in a watery dispersion or solution and sprayed on said zeolite, hydrotalcite or magnesium stearate to form a polyvalent yellow-limiting compound. The inventors have found that such combination is also very effective in neutralizing contaminants and / or delaying yellowing, while the initial yellowing in production is reduced due to the bleaching effect of said perchlorate.

[0029] Preferably at least 0.1 gram, at least 1 gram or at least 10 gram per square meter of said yellow-limiting compounds are available in said flooring system, for example in said flooring material. Preferably said yellow-limiting compounds do not exceed 25 grams per square meter of the flooring system. In such case the risk that said yellow-limiting compounds and / or the contaminants neutralized by said yellow-limiting compounds deteriorate the mechanical properties of the flooring system is limited.

[0030] Preferably said adhesive substance comprises natural gum and / or stabilizing compounds, preferably ammonium compounds. The inventors have found that the problem of yellowing is especially available when an adhesive substance is used comprising natural gums stabilized with ammonium compounds. The ammonium compounds are a source of amine that may migrate upwards and cause yellowing at the surface of the flooring material. Preferably, said one or more layers of the flooring material comprise a foamed layer, for example having a reduction in weight due to said foaming of 5 percent or more, 10 percent or more, preferably less than 20 percent, and / or, leading to 0.0001 to 0.0005 cubic meter of voids per square meter of flooring material. The inventors have experienced that a foamed layer delays yellowing effects. This may be attributed to the longer migration path through the walls of the foam cells that contaminants must follow to traverse the foamed layer. Said foamed layer may be a foamed backing layer as described above in connection with sheet vinyl flooring or a foamed sublayer of such backing layer. The amounts of foaming disclosed herein are such that the effect on the migration of contaminants is significant, while the indentation resistance is not overly compromised. For example, the residual indentation limit for heterogeneous floor coverings, put forward in and measured in accordance with ISO 10582:2017, of 0.1 mm or less, can still be obtained.

[0031] Preferably, said one or more layers of the flooring material comprises filler materials, e.g. calcium carbonate such as chalk or limestone, or talcum. Preferably said filler materials are available at at least 25, or at least 40 weight parts per 100 weight parts of the thermoplastic material or PVC. It is not excluded for said filler materials to be available at at least 70 weight parts per 100 weight parts of the thermoplastic material or PVC. The presence of filler material at the mentioned rates may have a similar effect on the migration path of contaminants and a corresponding delay in yellowing effects.

[0032] Preferably, said one or more layers of the flooring material comprise a foamed layer, wherein the foamed layer comprises filler materials. The inventors have found that such filled and foamed layer may show accumulated effects on the delay of yellowing that are larger than the sum of effects created by foaming and filler materials alone. This is attributed to the filler materials being present in the walls of the foam cells and creating an even larger obstacle for migration of contaminants along these already thin walls.

[0033] Incorporation of the yellow-limiting compounds in a foamed and / or filled layer of the flooring material may render the yellow-limiting compounds particularly effective even at a relatively low dose, for example when using 10 grams per square meter or less, or 5 grams per square meter or less.

[0034] Although it is preferred that said yellow-limiting compound is applied in a dispersed manner in one or more of the layers of said flooring material, wherein these layers preferably are essentially formed from the basic material of the flooring material at issue, it is not excluded that a coating layer comprising said yellow-limiting compound is formed at the bottom of for example said backing layer. The coating may form the bottom of said flooring material, for example in the preferred cases where no textile padding layer is applied. The coating layer may in itself comprise a carrier material, such as an acrylate or a PVC plastisol, that comprises said yellow-limiting compound therein. In the cases where a textile padding layer is available, such coating layer is preferably applied in between the textile padding layer and the bottom of the backing layer. According to a further alternative, or in combination with any of the above possibilities described herein, the textile padding layer, when available, is impregnated with a material comprising said yellow-limiting compounds and / or the filaments forming said textile padding layer comprise said yellow-limiting compounds.

[0035] The introduction of salts, such as salts comprising perchlorates and / or phosphites, in the flooring material and / or the adhesive can be executed rather fluently in production by either adding the respective salts in a dry manner in the material making up the respective layer wherein it should be contained, or by adding a watery dispersion or solution of said salt in the material making up the respective layer, potentially a coating layer, or by applying said salt on a carrier material, for example by spraying a watery solution or dispersion of the salt onto a carrier material such as Ca(OH)2, zeolite, hydrotalcite, magnesium stearate or any metalhydroxide, then drying to obtain a polyvalent yellowlimiting compound as described above, and then incorporating said polyvalent yellowlimiting compound in the material making up the respective layer wherein it should be contained. It is clear that the yellowing-limiting compounds, preferably comprising or being said perchlorates and / or metal hydroxides, are present at least in one or more layers of the flooring material.

[0036] It is further clear that a flooring material comprising a yellow-limiting compound at least in one or more layers of the respective flooring material, as described above, forms an independent aspect of the present invention. Such flooring material may be applied with a plurality of adhesive substances in a flooring system with a minimized yellowing risk. The present invention hence also concerns a flooring material for use in a flooring system in accordance with said first independent aspect, wherein yellowing-limiting compounds, preferably comprising or being said perchlorates and / or metal hydroxides, are present at least in one or more layers of the flooring material. Preferably a polyvalent yellowlimiting compound is applied.

[0037] The inventors have further found that a slight foaming of one or more layers of a sheet flooring may lead to a sufficient delay of yellowing without the need for incorporation of dedicated yellow-limiting compounds, as described in the context of said first independent aspect. Therefore, in accordance with its second independent aspect, the present invention is a flooring material, said floor material being a thermoplastic sheet flooring, i.e. a sheet flooring comprising a content of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylate or polyethylene terephthalate, and comprising at least a backing layer, a print layer and a wear layer, wherein said backing layer comprises at least a first foamed sublayer, with as a characteristic that said flooring material comprises 0.0001 to 0.0005 cubic meter of voids per square meter of flooring material and / or that said foaming results in a weight reduction of 15 percent or less, preferably at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent. Preferably said flooring material is a sheet vinyl flooring, i.e. a sheet flooring comprising a content of polyvinyl chloride. The slight foaming has shown to lead to a significant delay of yellowing, without overly compromising the indentation resistance. For example, the residual indentation limit for heterogeneous floor coverings, put forward in and measured in accordance with ISO 10582:2017, of 0.1 mm or less, can still be obtained. Preferably, said first foamed layer comprises a glass fiber liner embedded therein.

[0038] Preferably, said first foamed layer is directly adjacent to the bottom of said print layer.

[0039] It is clear that said print layer may show the characteristics discussed in the context of the first independent aspect. Preferably said print layer comprises one or more preparatory layers, such as primer and / or background layers, with a layer of inks applied thereon. In such case, said first foamed layer is preferably directly adjacent to the lowermost preparatory layer.

[0040] Preferably, said backing layer further comprises a second foamed layer underneath said first foamed layer.

[0041] Preferably, said backing layer further comprises a bottom layer that is unfoamed or foamed to a lesser extent than said first foamed layer.

[0042] Preferably, said backing layer consist of said first foamed layer, said second foamed layer and said bottom layer. Preferably, said flooring material is free from textile padding, and the bottom layer forms the bottom of the flooring material that is intended for contacting the adhesive substance in a flooring system. As mentioned, preferably, said first foamed layer is directly adjacent to the bottom of said print layer, for example to the lowermost preparatory layer.

[0043] Preferably, said flooring material has a total thickness of from 1.8 to 3 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.

[0044] With the intention of better showing the characteristics of the invention, herein below, as examples without any limitative character, some preferred embodiments are described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0045] Figure 1 in top view represents a flooring system with the characteristics of the first aspect of the invention; Figures 2, at a larger scale, represents a cross-section according to the line II-II represented in figure 1 ; and

[0046] Figure 3, in a same view, shows an alternative flooring material in accordance with the second aspect of the invention.

[0047] Figure 1 represents a portion of a flooring system. The flooring system comprises a sheet vinyl flooring material 1. The width B of such sheet vinyl flooring material 1 can vary between 2 and 6 meters and preferably is from 3.5 to 5.5 meters. The length L can be the length of the room. Such flooring material 1 may be delivered from a roll that contains dozens of meters, for example, between 20 and 50 meters. The length of the flooring material 1 to be installed may be cut to the size of the room.

[0048] Figure 2 clearly shows that this flooring material 1 comprises at least a backing layer 2 and a print layer 3 provided thereon. The backing layer 2 may be a slightly foamed PVC layer, for example having a void volume of 0.0001 to 0.0005 cubic meter per square meter. Said foaming may bring about a weight reduction of 10 to 15 percent. Alternatively said backing layer 2 is unfoamed. In this case, the print layer 3 is provided as a printed PVC foil 4 having, for example, a thickness of 60 micrometers to 150 micrometers. In this case, a transparent wear layer 5 is provided above the print layer 3. The wear layer 5 preferably has a thickness T1 of 0.15 to 0.75 millimeters, and still better between 0.25 and 0.55 millimeters. The overall thickness T of the flooring material 1 can be between 1.8 to 3 mm, preferably from 2 through 2.5 millimeters.

[0049] In the example, said backing layer 2 is provided with a textile padding 6. This is entirely optional and may be omitted. However, such textile padding 6 may be beneficial in delaying yellowing.

[0050] The print layer 3 represents a plurality of panel-shaped elements 7, in this case panelshaped elements 7, which form an imitation of parquet panels. The elements 7 are rectangular and are represented in a random pattern in adjacent rows 8. At the edges 9-10 of the represented elements 7, lowered edge regions 11-12 are formed, which, in the example, form the entire circumference of each element 7.

[0051] In figure 2, it is further also shown that a lowered edge region 11 A can also be present at the edge 9A of the sheet or web. In this case, such edge region 11 A coincides with the edge of a represented row 8. Preferably, such edge region 11A has a geometry which corresponds to a half of a lowered edge region 11 which is situated at the long edges 9 internally in the flooring material 1.

[0052] Apart from the lowered edge regions 11A-11-12, the surface of the flooring material 1 further also comprises relief parts 13 at the location of the actual element 7 represented in the print provided on said printed layer 3. In this case, this relates to imitations of wood pores obtained by mechanically impressing the transparent wear layer 5.

[0053] Figure 2 further represents that the flooring material 1, more particularly the backing layer 2 comprises an embedded liner 14, such as a glass fiber layer. The flooring system further comprises an adhesive substance 15 for bonding the flooring material 1 to a substrate 16, in this case a levelled concrete subfloor. The adhesive substance 15 in the example may comprise natural gum stabilized with ammonium compounds.

[0054] According to the invention, yellow-limiting compounds are incorporated in said backing layer 2. The yellow-limiting compounds preferably comprise perchlorates applied to a carrier material of metal hydroxide, for example of Ca(OH)2. Preferably, the yellowlimiting compounds are at least available at a position below said embedded liner 14.

[0055] Figure 3 illustrates a flooring material 1 in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, wherein said flooring material is used in a flooring system.

[0056] The flooring material is a thermoplastic sheet flooring, in this case a sheet flooring comprising a content of polyvinyl chloride or a sheet vinyl flooring, and comprises at least a backing layer 2, a print layer 3 and a wear layer 4, wherein said backing layer 2 comprises at least a first foamed sublayer 2A. Said flooring material 1 comprises 0.0001 to 0.0005 cubic meter of voids per square meter of flooring material A and, in this case, said foaming results in a weight reduction of 15 percent or less, namely, here, at least 5 percent or at least 10 percent.

[0057] Said print layer 3 is in this case an ink layer applied on preparatory layers 4A forming primer and background layers.

[0058] As illustrated here, said first foamed sublayer 2 A comprises a glass fiber liner 14 embedded therein. Said first foamed sublayer 2A is directly adjacent to the bottom of said print layer 3.

[0059] The backing layer 2 further comprises a second foamed layer 2B underneath said first foamed layer 2A. The second foamed layer is, in the example, free from embedded liners.

[0060] The backing layer further comprises a bottom layer 2C that is unfoamed or foamed to a lesser extent than said first foamed layer 2A.

[0061] In the example of figure 3, the backing layer 2 consist of said first foamed layer 2 A, said second foamed layer 2B and said bottom layer 2C. As shown, the flooring material 1 is free from textile padding, and the bottom layer 2C forms the bottom of the flooring material 1 that is intended to contact the adhesive substance 15 in a flooring system. The flooring material 1 thus has a total thickness T of from 1.8 to 3 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.

[0062] The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described by way of example and represented in the figures, on the contrary may such flooring systems and flooring materials may be realized according to various variants, without leaving the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims:1.- Flooring system, comprising:- a flooring material (1) having a content of polyvinyl chloride;- an adhesive substance (15) for bonding the flooring material (1) to a substrate (16);- one or more yellowing-limiting compounds incorporated into the adhesive substance (15) and / or into one or more layers (2) of the flooring material (1).2.- Flooring system according to claim 1, characterized in that the flooring material (1) is sheet vinyl flooring.3.- Flooring system according to claim 2, characterized in that the sheet vinyl flooring comprises a backing layer (2), a print layer (3), a wear layer (4), and potentially an uppermost lacquer layer.4.- Flooring system according to claim 3, characterized in that at least the backing layer (2) and the wear layer (5) comprise polyvinyl chloride and / or plasticizer.5.- Flooring system according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that the backing layer (2) is filled with inorganic materials, such as calcium carbonate, chalk, limestone, talcum.6.- Flooring system according to any of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the sheet flooring is delivered from a roll.7.- Flooring system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the yellowing-limiting compounds are perchlorates and / or metal hydroxides.8.- Flooring system according to claim 7, characterized in that the perchlorates are selected from the group consisting of ammonium perchlorate, potassium perchlorate, and sodium perchlorate.9.- Flooring system according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the metal hydroxides are selected from the group consisting of Ca(0H)2, Mg(0H)2 and Al(0H)3.10.- Flooring system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive substance comprises natural gum.11.- Flooring system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive substance comprises stabilizing compounds, preferably ammonium compounds.12.- Flooring system according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the yellowing-limiting compounds are present at least in one or more layers of the flooring material.13.- Flooring material for use in a flooring system in accordance with claim 12.14.- Flooring material, said flooring material being a sheet vinyl flooring and comprising at least a backing layer (2), a print layer (3) and a wear layer (5), wherein said backing layer (2) comprises at least a first foamed sublayer (2A), characterized in that said flooring material (1) comprises 0.0001 to 0.0005 cubic meter of voids per square meter of flooring material (1).15.- Flooring material according to claim 14, characterized in that said first foamed layer (2A) comprises a glass fiber liner (14) embedded therein.16.- Flooring material according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that said first foamed layer (2A) is directly adjacent to the bottom of said print layer (3).17.- Flooring material according to any of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that said backing layer (2) further comprises a second foamed layer (2B) underneath said first foamed layer (2A).18.- Flooring material according to any of claims 14 to 17, characterized in that said backing layer (2) further comprises a bottom layer (2C) that is unfoamed or foamed to a lesser extent than said first foamed layer (2A). 19.- Flooring material according to any of claims 14 to 18, characterized in that said flooring material (1) has a total thickness (T) for 1.8 to 3 mm, preferably 2 to 2.5 mm.

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