Export & market snapshot

• India vinyl flooring market size (domestic): market estimates put the Indian vinyl/LVT market around USD 0.88–1.18 billion (2022–2024) and forecast strong growth (CAGR ~6–7%+ through the decade driven by LVT/SPC demand).
• Shipments & exports activity: shipment-tracking platforms show India is actively exporting vinyl and laminate products — e.g., Volza records dozens to several hundred vinyl/laminate export shipments in recent 12-month windows (vinyl: dozens–hundreds; laminate: thousands of shipments), indicating many small/medium exporters are shipping worldwide.
• Linoleum: India’s linoleum exports are currently very small by value (OEC shows ~US$27.5k in 2023), meaning linoleum is a niche export from India compared to vinyl/laminate.
• Macro export context: India’s broader “Plastic & Linoleum” export grouping has shown growth in FY24→FY25, indicating rising outbound shipments in related product groups.

Product sub-categories commonly exported / manufactured

• Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT) / SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) — rigid-core, click-lock systems used in residential & commercial projects.
• Calendered/PVC sheet vinyl — roll-based commercial & healthcare flooring.
• Laminate (HDF-based) flooring & decorative laminates — wide range of AC-rated laminate planks and decorative surfacing.
• Linoleum (natural linoleum / Marmoleum) — niche, eco-oriented product mainly for domestic or specialist exports.

Buyer-facing quality markers

For Vinyl / LVT / SPC

• Wear layer thickness (µm / mil) — e.g., 20–30 mil (0.5–0.75 mm) for heavy commercial; 12–20 mil for residential. State exact µm and abrasion class.
• Core & dimensions — SPC rigid core thickness (mm), plank dimensions and edge profile (microbevel, square lock).
• Slip resistance & fire rating — R-rating or EN/ASTM fire class where relevant.
• Warranty & life-cycle — years of residential/commercial warranty and expected life under traffic.
• VOC / indoor air quality — FloorScore / GreenGuard testing or equivalent.

For Laminate

• AC rating (AC1–AC6) — abrasion/class rating indicating suitability.
• HDF density & core stability — moisture resistance (waterproof core options).
• Surface finish / embossing & plank authenticity — double-emboss or registered emboss for realistic texture.

For Linoleum

• Material composition & backing — natural linseed oil, cork powder, jute backing; specify recycled content and VOC tests.
• Fire & slip ratings and approved adhesives for large projects.

India-specific strengths

• Growing domestic manufacturing base & recognised brands — established Indian players in laminate and LVT (e.g., Greenlam, CenturyPly) with multiple manufacturing sites, enabling scale and regional supply.
• Cost-competitive production for value segments — India can offer competitive landed costs for mid-tier LVT/laminate due to lower labour and established supply chains.
• Local supply chain & investment — large investments and new plants improve lead times and quality control for exports.
• Flexible makers for planks & custom patterns — many mid-sized Indian manufacturers accept lower MOQs and custom colours/patterns, attractive to boutique importers and project buyers.

Weaknesses & buyer concerns

• Quality & certification gaps — not every exporter holds internationally recognised test reports (EN, ASTM, FloorScore/Greenguard), so buyers should request lab reports and sample testing.
• Import competition for components — India still imports some raw materials (specialised vinyl compounds, high-grade wear-layer polymers) which can affect lead times and margins.
• Environmental concerns — PVC/vinyl has environmental scrutiny; linoleum (natural) is greener but currently produced/sold at smaller scale in India.

Practical positioning

1. Exact specs up front: product type (LVT/SPC/Sheet/Laminate/Linoleum), plank/tile dimensions, thickness, wear-layer (µm), core type, edges, and weight per box.
2. Certifications & lab reports: FloorScore / GreenGuard / EN / ASTM / ISO — attach PDF test reports or lab references.
3. Performance data: abrasion tests, slip resistance, thermal stability (for underfloor heating), and warranty terms.
4. Photos + installation details: real installed photos, recommended adhesives/underlay, and packaging specs for export.
5. MOQ & sample policy: offer sample plank/box with clear freight terms. Many buyers expect small-sample orders before committing to container loads.