European wood-based panels production output increased by 1.9% in 2024, according to provisional statistics released by the European Panel Federation (EPF).
EPF presented the figures at the recent Interzum exhibition in Germany, showing that wood-based panels production output in the EU27 + UK + EFTA totalled 57.4 million m3 in 2024, up from 56.4 million m3 in 2023.
EPF Managing Directors Matti Rantanen and Clive Pinnington together with Technical Director Kris Wijnendaele addressed a press conference to share the results.
“While there is evidence of a slow recovery, we are still below pre-crisis levels,” the EPF said in a statement
“Both the construction and furniture industries continued to decline in 2024. However, the wood panel industry was able to reverse this trend by substituting other materials and increasing its market share.
“Challenges persist due to high remaining energy prices. Although these prices have declined since their peak in Q3 2022, they remain elevated. Additionally, low consumer confidence is reflected in the sluggish recovery of the construction and furniture sectors, while saving rates are at historically high levels.
“Although 2025 is expected to be challenging, the long-term outlook for wood-based panels remains positive. This is evidenced by announced capacity investments.”
Provisional results show European particleboard production totalled 31.2 million m3 in 2024, up 1% on 2023, while MDF also increased by 1% to 11.2 million m3. OSB performed better, registering 6.9 million m3 (+4%), while softboard production grew +8% to 5.2 million m3.
Plywood production also rose 1% to 2.6 million m3, while hardboard saw a 3% reverse to 400,000m3.
The final consolidated 2024 results will be presented at the next EPF Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 26 June in Berlin, Germany.
The EPF also presented a newly published Strategic Wood Availability Policy Paper. The Policy Paper is based on two studies commissioned by EPF and carried out by AFRY Management Consulting and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
Both studies predict a significant increase in the demand for raw materials by 2040, particularly when considering harvesting constraints, which may lead to a supply shortfall. This situation is likely to put pressure on the Cascade principle, highlighting the urgent need to rebalance resource management strategies.
