
AFRY Long-term Outlook: Wood-based panels and surfacing materials to 2025
Since the early 1990s, AFRY has published global wood-based panels and decorative surfacing material forecasts. Our latest AFRY Long Term Outlook publication, Wood-based panels and decorative surfacing materials to 2025, addresses the impact of Covid-19 on the wood-based panels and surfacing materials industry in 2020 and going forward to 2025. The outlook provides an overview of the market drivers, production and demand development, end-use applications, manufacturing costs and gross margins, and the industry structure/ leading players globally.
In 2020, the global demand for wood-based panels (particleboard, MFC and MDF/HDF) accounted for 202 million m³ or EUR 50 billion and is forecast to grow by 2.0%/ p.a. to 222 million m³ or 3.7%/ p.a. to EUR 60 billion by 2025 (steady recovery scenario).
In 2020, the global demand for decorative surfacing materials accounted for 22 billion m² or EUR 16 billion and is forecast to grow by 2.6%/ p.a. to 25 billion m² or 3.5%/ p.a. to EUR 19 billion by 2025 (steady recovery scenario).
Future uncertainties such as rise in unemployment and insolvencies, Brexit and changes in customer behaviour as well as potential upsides, European Green Deal, digitalisation etc. have been analysed, complemented by expert discussions with leading players in wood-based panels, surfacing materials as well as suppliers and customers, and included in the development of three market scenarios to 2025: steady recovery, slow recovery and setback.
The study provides an invaluable strategic platform and essential information for all business leaders throughout the wood-based panels and decorative surfacing materials value chains. Full geographical (regions and countries) and product information and table of contents can be downloaded here.