PRESS RELEASE: Long-term prospects for wood-based panels remain healthy
Brussels, Friday 12 May 2023
On 9 May, the opening day of the Interzum Trade Fair in Cologne, EPF held a press conference to present the European wood-based panels industry’s provisional 2022 results (indicative only) as well as an outlook for 2023.
Managing Director Mr Clive Pinnington and Technical Director Mr Kris Wijnendaele addressed around 30 trade journalists, members and guests.
Key figures and trends were released.
2022 production fell by more than 6% compared to 2021 and when final numbers are released in June is expected to finish at approximately the same level as the pre-crisis year of 2019. 2022 was a year characterised by a relatively strong first half, followed by a noticeably weaker second half, caused by softening user demand and falling consumer confidence.
Whilst 2023 remains challenging, long-term prospects for wood-based panels remain healthy, as evidenced by continuing announced capacity investments illustrated in the maps in our full presentation, which is available here.
This communication was followed by a presentation of the progress of the EPF’s 5 Strategic Directions and of 5 current advocacy highlights: (1) cascade in legislation (REDIII), (2) New European Bauhaus (NEB), (3) material use of wood, (4) regulation for chemicals, (5) the launch and follow-up actions and appointments of the Coalition for Circular Choices.
The final consolidated 2022 results and further advocacy updates will be presented at the next EPF Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 23 June in Santiago de Compostela, Spain. The press conference was a good opportunity to remind our guests that NEB will be at the heart of the discussions during the Open Part of the AGM, with two roundtables dedicated to construction and furniture.
For further information, please contact EPF Administration and Communications Officer:
Mrs Isabelle Henin
+32 2 556 25 89
