BJELIN UK has quickly made a name for itself in the flooring sector, bringing a unique combination of sustainability, high technology, and European craftsmanship to the market.
Simon Darbyshire, managing director of Bjelin UK, explains how the company has leveraged its heritage, cutting edge innovations, and a commitment to responsible resource use to stand out in a competitive industry.
A heritage of innovation
‘Bjelin’s origins are closely tied to our sister company, Välinge Innovation,’ says Simon. ‘Välinge was founded in 1993 by Darko Pervan, the inventor of click flooring, and has been at the forefront
of developing new flooring technologies.
Bjelin itself was established in 2016, born out of a vision to create high-quality, sustainable and innovative flooring products.’

The company’s access to the Spacva Forest in Croatia, Europe’s largest continuous oak forest, ensures all raw materials are FSC® certified and sustainably managed. This unique relationship allows Bjelin to source high-quality oak while upholding strict environmental standards, giving its
products performance and provenance.
Why manufacture finished products?
Simon explains that Bjelin’s decision to manufacture its own finished products was deliberate. ‘We wanted to use the latest technology developed by Välinge Innovation and incorporate it directly into our finished flooring solutions. This allows us to ensure quality, sustainability, and
consistency across every plank and tile.’
Technology that transforms flooring
Bjelin’s products stand out in a crowded marketplace thanks to advanced patented technologies. ‘All our flooring is hi-tech,’ Simon says. ‘The 5G® floor locking technology enables easy, glue-free,
floating installation. 5G® Dry provides a leakproof locking solution to protect the subfloor from liquids. And our Woodura hardened wood flooring is a true gamechanger.
Woodura® uses a unique process where veneers are sliced rather than sawn, reducing waste, and fused with a water-resistant core through a hardening process that incorporates wood powder sourced from manufacturing waste.
The result is a 100% wood floor that’s three times more durable than standard engineered wood and highly resistant to dents and water.
Bjelin’s Nadura wood tiles take the innovation further, combining wood fibres, binders, and design-enhancing compounds to produce a 100% wood surface without veneers, resulting in
floors that are beautifully textured and exceptionally durable.
Sustainability at the core
‘Sustainability is central to everything we do,’ Simon emphasises. By controlling the entire production chain, Bjelin ensures eco-responsible practices at every stage, from FSC-certified raw materials to efficient use of wood and minimising waste. Techniques like the Woodura slicing
method mean that only a fraction of thewood is needed compared to traditional flooring, saving trees and protecting slow growing oak forests.
Entering the UK market
Since launching in the UK in 2022, Bjelin has captured attention from commercial specifiers, architects, design professionals and well-known flooring distributors.
‘We immediately saw interest from the commercial specification sector, which recognised the benefits of our products,’ says Simon.
‘This success has also been mirrored by companies such as Domus Group. We’re now seeing growing demand from retail and distribution channels, where our European manufacturing
and technological advantages resonate strongly.’
Showcasing innovation
At this year’s Flooring Show, Bjelin highlighted its Nadura wood tile Slate collection, recently introduced to the UK at Clerkenwell Design Week in May. Available in three decors (Eclipse Grey, Storm Grey, and Dew Grey) the tiles measure 280mm x 582mm x 10mm and carry Class 34
certification, making them suitable for high-footfall areas in both domestic and commercial environments.
Bjelin also presented its Woodura Herringbone flooring, now available in two sizes (Modern: 91x546x11mm; Classic:68x340x11mm) and four decors (Powder White, Misty White, Natural, Terra Brown).
All planks feature the 5G Dry leakproof locking solution and hold Class 33 heavy commercial certification, ideal for retail, domestic, and specification projects.
Looking ahead
Simon is confident about the company’s future growth in the UK. ‘We continue to see growth and further expansion in the commercial and specification sector, with a growing number of case studies from successful installations continuing to build awareness. By working closely with
our key partners, we are creating an ever growing understanding of our technology and its suitabililty in both commercial and retail sectors. We’re also seeing direct interest from end-consumers, which suggests our specialist distribution network will continue to grow.’
With a combination of innovative technology, sustainability credentials, and high-quality European craftsmanship, Bjelin UK is carving out a distinctive place in the flooring market. From its roots in
Croatia’s oak forests to its cutting-edge click and hardened wood technologies, the company demonstrates that environmentally responsible flooring can also be durable, beautiful, and forward thinking.

Why contract flooring loves Bjelin
THE benefits of Bjelin’s flooring technologies have proven particularly attractive to customers in the contract flooring sector since launch. The incredible durability of Woodura hardened wood floors allows them to be used in spaces where traditional wood floors were previously thought
unsuitable, a major plus also for the retail and consumer sector.
Whilst Bjelin floors can be installed in glue-down applications, one of their many advantages is their ability to be fitted as a floating floor. This allows for easy removal or replacement without
damaging the subfloor, the need for glue is removed, and the speed and quality of fit vastly improved, a major advantage for both commercial and consumer spaces that may need to
adapt over time.
As a reliable partner, Bjelin controls its entire production process and continues to invest heavily in
cutting-edge technology, production machinery, and state-of-the-art factories, including what will become the world’s largest wood flooring factory in Croatia.
The company’s reputation in the specification sector is already strong. Suppliers such as Domus Group, a highly respected supplier with over 50 years’ experience, have publicly stated that Bjelin’s Woodura hardened wood flooring has been their most successful product launch in the past decade.