Members of the European Panel Federation (EPF) recorded production growth across the particleboard, MDF and OSB sectors during the first half of 2004.
An EPF economic report shows particleboard output rose by 7.4% compared to the same period in 2003, with growth stabilising at around 5% following third quarter results.
Particleboard consumption experienced a 9% growth and is expected to stabilise at about 7.5% for the year to September.
MDF production rose 4.8% for the half year, due to an 18% boost in domestic sales. Exports were negative in the first quarter but picked up in the following three months.
OSB output increased by 21% and only reduced to 19% after nine months. Export sales were the main driver for growth with an 18% rise, while domestic sales went up by 14%.
Meanwhile, the report says China has now become the fifth largest economy in the world, taking the spot from the UK. The country is seeking increasing volumes of wood, due to limited natural resources, and it now has about 25% of the world MDF capacity (compared to about 35% for Europe).
