Demand and new applications for wood-plastic composites (WPC) are on the rise, delegates at the German WPC Congress in Cologne have heard.
More than 300 delegates from 26 countries heard that WPC decking is showing annual double-digit growth, while new applications include concrete formwork boards, container floors and facing panels.
Currently, more than 1.5 million tons of WPC are produced worldwide, with North American production running at about 1 million tons, followed by China (200,000 tons), Japan (100,000 tons) and Germany (70,000 tons).
In China, use of WPC is more extensive than in Europe. Products include windows, doors, thermal insulating systems, park benches, garden sheds and sun screens for tower blocks.
Chinese WPC market growth is 30% per year, with production predicted to rise by up to five million tons per year between now and 2015.
The conference saw the presentation of the WPC Innovation Award, won by Staedtler for its WPC pencil, which it is claimed lasts twice as long as regular pencils, while second prize went to Hiendl GmbH for its assembly profile system (an alternative to aluminium) and Quingdao HuaSheng Hi-tech Development Co Ltd took third spot for its WPC cladding with integrated extruded polystyrene insulation.
