European parquet flooring sales were up by 5% in 2005, according to initial estimates by the European Federation of the Parquet Industry (FEP).
Industry volumes were up for the third consecutive year, with total consumption in EU and European Free Trade Association countries predicted to have exceeded the 100 million m3 mark “quite substantially”.
However, FEP said mosaic and solid parquet producers still faced difficult hurdles, including fierce competition from outside the EU, changing consumer preferences and fluctuating exchange rates.
Multi-layer production continued its forward march, fuelled by a growing variety of glue-free installation systems, though competition in the sector was proving a burden for manufacturers.
Rising energy, raw material and transport costs are also squeezing companies.
But FEP says parquet was gaining importance in the renovation market due to the product’s ability to adapt to difficult conditions and consumer demand for natural flooring.
FEP will publish full data on the industry’s 2005 performance at its 50th general assembly in Wiesbaden during May.
Meanwhile, CE marking for parquet and wood flooring will become possible from March 1. Mandatory CE marking will follow exactly a year later.
