The concept of a European veneer network to stimulate demand in the ailing veneer industry has been mooted at a conference organised by Decopsan in Belgium.
The event, held to celebrate Decospan‘s 25th anniversary, heard speaker Malte Herrmann, the Danzer Group’s marketing manager, float the idea of a network involving veneer producers, value-adding industries and final product manufacturers. He said there should be regular dialogue, with veneer being promoted to customers on a European level.
Mr Hermann said veneer consumption is dropping and substitutes increasing. He recommended standardisation and a more customer orientated approach, taking the lead from veneer’s competitors such as laminates.
Belgian designer Axel Enthoven argued that veneer needed to follow the trend of going back to authenticity. He described the product as an honest material which could be successful.
A debate held during the second half of the conference concluded that veneer must be made to look more “sexy”, while everybody in the industry must work together and communicate honestly with the end user.
