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MARKET Beats 5

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European Wood Industry Bill Hanscom

Dynamics

European wood-based panels industry predicted to
remain flat in 2025
According to europanels.org, the 13th European Wood-Based
Panel Symposium, held from October 9-11 in Hamburg,
provided a platform for networking opportunities within the
wood-based panel industry, which delegates indicated that the
European wood-based panels market will start to gradually
recover from mid-2025.
This year’s Symposium focused on market trends, resources,

Artificial Intelligence, recycling, resins and developments that are
shaping the future of WBP. 375 Attendees from 30 countries
across the globe, had the opportunity to explore the latest he highlighted as leading the way.
developments and innovations driving the industry's growth. Earlier in the conference, European Panel Federation board
Thomas Walther, one global engineering design consulting member Philipp Sprockhoff, told delegates that overall prospects
company’s consultant, told the 375-strong event that European for 2024 and 2025 were “not too bad” but remained flat. The
panel markets will gradually recover after a period of decline, but European panels sector registered a 6.3 percent decline in

demand levels by 2027 are unlikely to reach pre-Covid levels. production output in 2023.
His predictions for 2024 in the particleboard and MDF key In addition, the keynote of the 13th European Wood-Based
product areas forecast a -1 percent demand reduction for Panel Symposium also includes:
both, with MDF down by 100,000m3 and PB by 600,000m3. • Market calls for a construction offensive, for products to
Then a +1 percent growth is forecast in 2025 in both areas. meet “thin wallets, big dreams” and for the wood sector
Despite this prediction of flat business volumes in a sector to speak as one industry in public
which has struggled in 2023 and 2024, Mr Walther said there • New techniques for recycling MDF can drive Europe
was some room for optimism. towards even more carbon storage as illustrated by the
“In general, the situation looks a little bit better,” he said. 20 percent annual contribution reported from panels in

“We do not need to be too pessimistic.” Japan
He referenced the falls in chemical and woodchip prices • Artificial Intelligence has arrived in process engineering
compared to two years ago as being a beneficial development including wood-based panels immediately
for panel producers. • Europe leads the wood-based panels world in innovation,
“Panel prices experienced a strong decline in 2022 but as shown by resins, waxes, and additives evolving at pace
are expected to increase in 2025 as construction recovers.” and according to changing demands
Mr Walther pinpointed Asia Pacific to be the strongest • Sustainability is central to wood-based panels, but a lower

growth region going forward driven by exports, but also by regulatory burden and greater political support are needed
regional demand. India and Vietnam were among the countries for their societal contribution to be maximised