2025 in Review: A Focus on Design, Innovation and Impact

As we reflect on 2025, we begin by looking ahead to what is shaping the future of design. From evolving trends to the ways innovation, sustainability and collaboration are redefining the spaces we create, the year provided valuable insight into where our industry is headed. At NeoCon and Design Days 2025, those ideas came into focus through conversations with leaders across the materials and furniture industries.

To explore those insights further, watch our video, Design Conversations: Industry Insights for 2026 and Beyond, which brings together diverse perspectives and shared inspiration that will guide design into 2026 and beyond. 

A Year of Award-Winning Achievement 

2025 was a year of recognition across our product portfolio. These honors reflect the creativity, technical excellence and collaborative spirit of our teams as well as the innovative spirit built into our products. 

• Formica Group earned three Best of NeoCon Awards for InDepth Surfacing™ – Interior Products and Solutions; Innovation; and a People’s Choice Award – showcasing leadership in performance-driven design solutions. 
• Homapal^® Metal Laminates received a Special Mention for the Architizer A+ Award in the Commercial Design Products category, recognizing the impact of its distinctive metal surfaces. 
• Formica Corporation also was honored with the MillerKnoll Gold Supplier Award, reinforcing our commitment to quality, partnership and service excellence across the supply chain. 

New Design Introductions Across Our Portfolio 

Formica^® Laminate  

This year marked the launch of new HPL patterns and woodgrains, expanding the design possibilities for commercial spaces. These additions reflect current trends while honoring the timeless appeal on which designers rely. Designed to meet the evolving needs of modern interiors, the latest additions deliver a curated selection of organic textures and dynamic patterns ideal for a broad range of commercial and residential spaces. The collection includes modern, less yellow woodgrains with soaring cathedrals offering depth and realism, while the trendsetting fabric patterns offer the look of fabric with the durability and cleanability of laminate. 

As the inventor of decorative laminate, innovation and durability are in our DNA! 

Homapal^® Metal Laminates 

We also introduced new Homapal^® patterns, bringing fresh metallic aesthetics and expanded creative flexibility to the market. The new decorative metals reflect designer research and evolving interior design trends with refined finishes and quality craftsmanship. From simple metals, to handcrafted designs, to deep textures – we were pleased to expand the Elements, Gestures and Perspectives collections. 

Across all product lines, innovation and leading-edge design remains a constant focus as we continue to evolve surface performance, aesthetic diversity and application versatility.  

Advancing Our Sustainability Commitments

Sustainability remained at the center of our operations in 2025, with measurable progress across multiple initiatives. 

• At our St-Jean-sur-Richelieu plant, we reduced natural gas usage by 5 percent through a more sustainable approach to hot water production.
• We also reduced greenhouse gas emissions through the implementation of a heat exchanger system.
• We achieved 72% Biobased Content Certification from the USDA BioPreferred Program, validating biobased content in HPL and Compact products. This represents the highest certified biobased content level among major HPL manufacturers.
• Throughout the year, we reinforced our focus on recycled content and responsible material sourcing as part of a broader circular design mindset.

Revisiting Our Topics, Stories and Case Studies from Across 2025

Throughout the year, we explored a wide range of design topics, applications and case studies that inspired Designers, Fabricators and Specifiers across markets. 

Formica Corporation Articles: 

• Incorporating the beauty of metal: Sophisticated Metal Palettes Beautify Health and Wellness Environments 
• Super Matte finishes for the workspace: Industrious Designs for Office Environments  
• Investing in future designers: Launching Careers through the FORM Competition 
• Durability and style are the key: Ways to Incorporate New Formica Laminates into Higher Education Spaces 
• Natural aesthetics from Formica^® Brand products: Biophilic Palettes in Hospitality Design 
• Elevating commercial restrooms: Design Forward Restrooms from Ironwood Manufacturing

Notable Case Studies:

• Creating an elegant and intimate atmosphere using FENIX^® Innovative Materials: Colour-Drenched Sophistication at Marigold 
• High traffic, high energy gaming lab at the University of Texas at Dallas: Elevating the Game at Comets LANding Esports Facility 
• Trespa^® TopLab^® durability is key at this round-the-clock lab: Papierfabrik Palm: 24/7 Lab Surfaces Built to Last
• Formica^® Laminate stands up to college traffic at this adorable ice cream shop: Chapel Chill

Looking Ahead:

As we close out 2025, we do so with appreciation and gratitude for the designers, fabricators, partners, customers and teams who brought these achievements to life. From award-winning performance to product innovation and sustainability progress, this year reflects a shared commitment to shaping the future of surfaces and the spaces they define.