European wood-based panel production dips 5% in 2022, provisional stats suggest

The decrease compared to 2021 was communicated by EPF managing director Clive Pinnington and technical director Kris Wijnendaele.

When final numbers are released in June at the EPF’s AGM in Spain, the 2022 production rate 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,” said Mr Pinnington. 

“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.”

The EPF’s provisional stats show particleboard production in the EU27+UK+EFTA reduced by 5% in 2022 to 32.5 million m3 ,while MDF production dipped by 7.5% to 12.7 million m3.

OSB production fell by 10% to 6.5million m3; softboard (wood fibre insulation boards) decreased by 5.1% to 5.3 million m3 and plywood (just in EU27) was down 3% to 3.1 million m3.

At Interzum, the EPF also presented progress on its five strategic directions and  current advocacy highlights: cascade in legislation (REDIII), New European Bauhaus (NEB), material use of wood, regulation for chemicals and the launch and follow-up actions and appointments of the Coalition for Circular Choices.