Abstract: A nonwoven primary carpet backing includes thermoplastic polymer filaments or fibers bonded by means of a binder polymer. The backing includes at least a distinguishable thermoplastic woven layer, a distinguishable thermoplastic continuous layer, or a distinguishable nonwoven layer including filaments or fibers bonded by means of a binder polymer, which layer reduces the delamination strength of the backing, measured in accordance with DIN 54310, by at least 30% and preferably by at least 50%, with respect to the same backing without the distinguishable layer. Although the breaking strength of the untufted backing according to the invention is lower than that of untufted backings not including the distinguishable layer, the tufted backing according to the invention actually has a higher breaking strength and elongation than tufted backings not including the distinguishable layer.