FEIC reports slowdown

The European plywood industry experienced a minor slow-down in 2001, according to the European Federation of the Plywood Industry (FEIC).

FEIC president François Allin, speaking at the organisation’s general assembly in Finland last month, said plywood and blockboard production in 2001 totalled 3.3 million m3, 1.2% down on the previous year when a 30% increase was recorded.

Plywood production on its own rose 2.7%, mainly thanks to Finnish producers whose output grew by 6%. Imports amounted to just under 5 million m3, whereas exports reached almost 2.2 million m3. Blockboard went down 12.6% to 284,500m3, with Germany remaining the biggest European producer.

Structural plywood continues to face severe competition from OSB, while Brazilian imports increased 10% to 1.1 million m3.

Mr Allin passed the FEIC presidency to Nicola Reni of specialist plywood maker Reni Ettore SpA.

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